Trials of Reluctance (PG-13)

[Isaac Gravity]

Thread Closed at the request of author ~Niko

Hey there. Just to let you guys know I've heavily revised my fic. It might still be a bit wordy and have it's glitches here or there, but overall, the stories in the form that I could feel proud of. For all those who read the original versions of Chapters 3-20 (and sides stories 1 and 2) I'm so sorry for that and I my apologies run deeper for those who actually liked the originals...To be honest, I didn't and felt they could've been MUCH MUCH better.

I'm not trying to be perfect. I'm just trying to see this story through as best as I can.

Warning: This story is rated PG-13 for the reasons of: Violence, Language, Gore and Light (very light) Adult Humor In later chapters of course.

Disclaimer- I don't own Pokemon or anything else.
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[Dreams are dreams and an eternity's and eternity. Not there is anything of the sort.]

[So many memories, so little time…All my life I lived not knowing who I was, who my friends were and even if the people who I lived with were really my family…It never matter me I just kept living…Nothing really mattered…Just when I finally thought I'd get my life together THIS happens…]
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Completely ignoring the hustle and bustle of a mover and his two Machoke, a girl, who appears about the age of thirteen, stares at a rather quaint looking house painted purple. The young lady wore a sleeveless lavender T-shirt, along with fingerless black gloves that fully complements her long black sweatpants and black and yellow tennis shoes.

Her name? May Hiromi. The protagonist of our story…only she doesn't know that.

A light breeze brushed lightly against May's long bangs, which resided in her chestnut brown hair. Her cerulean blue eyes dulled with deep boredom.

"I'm tired…"

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(Story Arc 1: Snowy Hills and Ocean Blue Eyes)
Chapter 1: Welcome to LittleRoot
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"It really is something huh?" May's mother questioned her silent daughter cheerfully. "I never seen a house of this kind of color either so this should be fun. Right May?"

May never acknowledged her mother's words. She continued to stare in the houses direction in a near dream-like state.

Mrs. Hiromi frowned in understanding for her daughter's grumpy attitude. "You looked exhausted. It must be tiring riding in a van with nothing to do. Sorry sweetie."

"Well, taking that into consideration why did we move?" The 13-year-old finally answered.

"May, you should be happy! Were in LittleRoot! Breath in the fresh country air" Mrs. Hiromi takes a deep breath before she continues talking. "Aaah…reminds me of my hometown of Pallet back in Kanto."

May tries to do the same but ends up coughing constantly saying in-between choked breathes about swallowing a bug.

"City slicker…" Mrs. Hiromi mutters while giving May a slight smug look. "Anyway sweet pea," she continues. "What do you think of the new house? Do you like?"

"I'd rather be back in Violet City thanks…I had a few friends there…"

Mrs. Hiromi gives a little grin as she puffed out her chest proudly. "Well you can't always get what you want. Besides life is full of changes! And you have to take chances, make mistakes and get messy!"

"Why thank you Ms. Frizzle." May dryly counters. "What an enlightening statement."

Mrs. Hiromi playfully smacks May upside the head and drags her along inside the home. Inside they see the mover and his two Machoke lugging around furniture.

"The mover's Pokemon do all the work of moving us in and cleaning up after. This is so convenient!" May raises an eyebrow at the comment. "Really? Isn't that what the slave owners said about their slaves?"

Mrs. Hiromi's eyes triple in size before addressing her very bizarre daughter. "May…Why don't you check out the beautiful countryside scenery."

"Ok."

"Why aren't you going?"

"You made sound as though I actually had a choice."

"GO!"

May, not wanting to annoy her mother any longer leaves the house and scopes out the scenery.

LittleRoot Town was very small. There were no schools, nor places to shop or places to just hang out. Nothing but farmland, houses and an occasional stray Pokemon wandering about.

May's scenery check only took a good thirty minutes of her time. After that she sat down by a nice shady tree pulled out her GBA and played Golden Sun: The Lost Age until her batteries went dead on her. That's when her new problems began.

"Geez, dead already…Hmm and there's not a single store around here…Wait, I do remember someone saying they have to go to the next town when they have to buy merchants goods. And that means trudging through the grassy path. Well, time to go."

May gets up from her relaxing spot. Dusting herself off before anything else then makes her way to Route 101. May's quick little adventure plans were cut short as two 6-year-old twin girls and an 8-year-old boy who wore glasses all block May's path.

"What do you shrimps want?"

The boy put his hand out like a street guard to show May not to go any further. "We are the LittleRoot Protectors!" The 6-year-old twin on the left gives a hamster-like smile as she emphasizes the situation for May. "We fight for justice!" The other just as hyper twin on the right gives a Kool-aid smile as she finishes the introduction. "We're superheroes!"

May raised an eyebrow at the weird little children but tried to remain calm none-the-less. "Good for you." May tries to walk around them but they, especially the boy continued to block her path. It was at this point that the look of irritation was quite audible on the 13-year-old's face and she didn't look very safe to be around at the moment either.

"Max, maybe we should let the big girl pass." The first twin nervously asked her leader. The second twin wasn't as timid about the matter. Infact, she was quite blunt about it. "Maxie stop being such a bully."

"Ah! Shut it will ya Suzie! You too Sally! I'm doing this for her own good!" The boy named Max yelled at the duo that just looked at May nervously. Max on the other hand wasn't anywhere near intimidated by May's warning glares and that's why he boldly continued to lecture her. "You can't pass here! It's too dangerous to do so without a Pokemon!!"

"Why?"

"Don't you know anything? Wild Pokemon live in the grass and without a Pokemon to defend yourself you'll get wasted!"

"I don't need a Pokemon… I can fight for myself."

Max wasn't even listening to the 13-year-old girl. He was too busy examining her belt. "Hmm…Hey? Where's you're Pokeballs? And why do you hold your GBA around your waste rather than Pokeballs-…Oh…" The boy snickers. "I see…you couldn't pass the trainers test could ya?"

May just rolled her eyes at the very rude little brat and told Max the truth straight up. "Actually," May began while she closed her eyes. "I could become a trainer at anytime I want. I just don't want to…I don't see the point in petting and playing with them like they're some kind of pets when all I need to do is power them up in the game. Its…well-"

"What kind of attitude is that!?" Max yelled in pure shock at what that Pokemon blasphemer just said. He was so angry he thought his head was going to pop. "You must think you're hot-stuff or something! Well let me tell you!" The bold little 8-year-old growled while pointing an accusing finger at May. "Guys like you are two-bit chumps! Wannbes who don't ever have what it takes to be real trainers so you make dumb excuses!"

"Stupid punk. Believe what you want! I hate Pokemon and that's why I don't want to be within hands nor feet range of them! Why should I make them fight? Are they tools of war? A sick mock rooster fight for human enjoyment?! I want no part!!!"

Max just gives an arrogant little snort at the angsting girl as he adjusted his glasses through closed eyes. "Yet you have the stomach to play the game? You're the hypocrite! You got a lot of nerve parading around town with that attitude. I'm surprised you haven't been shot!"

May picks up the boy by his shirt collar and glares coldly at him.

"Wait! What's going on here!" A male voice called from behind.

The source of the voice made himself known to the group. A white-haired young boy about the age of thirteen who wore fingerless black and yellow gloves, a poke ball design headband, black sweat pants with a matching black and red sweater which compliments his sneakers which were of the same color.

The two twins named Suzie and Sally, frightened for Max, runs up to Brendan while pulling at his pants while pointing at the troubled duo.

"Oh thank goodness Brendan!" Suzie cries. Sally eyes triple in size as water begin to swell up in them. "Brendan! Brendan!! Maxie's about to get beat up!"

Brendan mentally sighs. Max has a big mouth and is prone to talk alot of trash. But a friend is a friend and despite not being very strong himself, Brendan Birch isn't one to run away when his friends are in trouble. "Don't do anything crazy." Brendan calls out to May in a gruff manner. "Just put him down."

May continues to ignore Brendan, still clutching Max by tightly by his collar. "Umm please?" The snow colored hair boy continues unsurely.

Before the blink of an eye May throws Max at Brendan, knocking him to the floor. As a result of her reflexes, May immediately jumps to her left and gets into a fighting pose similar to a Poliwrath's.

Brendan now gets a good look at the person that was about to beat the holy hell out of him. A whirlwind of emotion surged through Brendan the minute he laid on eyes on her.

"…she's really cute…" He mummers.

May also gets a good look at the boy. Seeing that the boy posed no threat she drops her guard but still keeps her fist clenched.

"Next time, tell your brother to watch his mouth!" She growls.

Brendan was still in awe at this new face's beauty but quickly snapped to his senses when he heard a low growl coming from the girl. "Uh…wha! N-No! He's not my brother just a good friend." Brendan answered very quickly and flustered.

Though May didn't understand why his face was so red she was used to the whole "Oh I'll be good" act. She's let her guard down then they'd sneak attack her. It was this experience that made her keep her defenses up.

The girl's attitude was peculiar to Brendan. She looks like the type that has to be really provoked in order to want to fight you. Though Brendan never met these types of people before, this was purely just a misunderstanding. Regardless of ones temperament.

"Anyone mind tellin' me what happened?"

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(10 minutes later)

The group sat down by the shady tree May sat by earlier. Max quickly explains his side of the story to Brendan. Constantly pinning the blame on the chestnut-haired girl at every turn. Suzie and Sally rebuked Max's words and spoke in May's defense saying that though what she said was thoughtless, Max pushed her to say it.

Brendan then turned to May for her shot of the situation. The fact that Brendan wanted to hear May's side of the story was a first for her. Back in Johto, no one ever wanted to hear May. She was the freak and rabble-rouser. As far as others were concerned it was always her fault!

Infact, the main reason why Mrs. Hiromi wanted to leave Violet City aside from the fact that her husband got a big job in this water surrounded region in the Pokemon field was that May got into too many fights back there. A lot of those fights were very violent. May would sometimes return home with cuts and bruises.

Mrs. Hiromi thought that she was going to lose her daughter just a few months ago when she got wind that a local Pokemon gang was planning on 'finishing the hater once and for all.' What scared the loving mother was that May hadn't returned from school all day. She later got a call from a friend of the family that May was in the hospital. And had suffered from some internal bleeding. The people who attacked May weren't the lucky ones.

No one but Mrs. Hiromi truly understood how one girl could practically get out unscathed against a gang of people. And that was a secret that Mrs. Hiromi couldn't afford for those ignorant fools to learn.

"Max," Brendan turned to Max knowingly. "You owe her an apology. You had no right to go into her business."

"Oh please!" Max argues. "She's the one that wants to play the Pokemon game but then wants to diss the real thing! She should apologize to all trainers like you!"

"I don't have to like Pokemon to play the game. I play it for the challenge! That's what being a gamer is about! What's so fun about forcing living creatures to brutalize each other?"

Max adjusts his glasses and gives a little humph. "Shows how much you know. Miss-no-trainer. Pokemon love to fight. It's in their blood. The will of the battle spirit calls to them."

"Battle…spirwit?" Suzie asked cutely. Sally confirms the info for her sibling. "Pokemon love to fight chief!"

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(To the actual time Pokemon weren't used for battling)

"Ah! Stop it! Why do you guys always pick on me?" A boy accompanied by his timid Clefairy screams.

"Because you're a girl!" One stocky looking boy chides.

"Hehehe, you like pink Pokemon!" The stocky boy's other stocky friend laughs. Kicking the boy as his Machop does the same to the weak boy's Clefairy

"Cleffy!!"

"Are you gonna cry to mommy? Are ya?" The first stocky boy mocks.

"No!" A girl named Terra growls at the two bullies. "He and Cleffy are gonna fight you bullies back! Right Rusty?"

"Bulb!" Rusty the Bulbasuar agrees.

"Oh please! That wimp? Hey Thomas do that far throw thing I saw you do once!

Thomas the Machop grabs Cleffy, leaps high into the air and performs a pile drive style Seismic toss.

"CLEFFY!!!" The boy wails in horror for his poor fairy Pokemon.

"Rusty use that rope move to catch Cleffy quick!!"

Rusty uses Vine Whip and saves Cleffy from a fatal crash. As the kind Bulbasaur sets down his friend he quickly punched by Thomas.

"You creep!" Terra yells disgusted at bully with the Machop. This only forced the boy to cross his arms while flashing a smug look. "One shouldn't push their hands where it doesn't belong."

"Fine let's let our Pokemon talk this out." The other Bully concludes, calling out his Charmander to the fray. "So what are you waiting Carlton? Go talk"

Carlton the Charmander does Skull Bash to Rusty who falls back in pain. Just as soon as the situation looked as though it turn into a two-on one A kid with a Squirtle jumps in to help Terra and Rusty. A brawl between the Pokemon and the children shortly aroused

More and more people just started to jump in to even the odds on each side. Some people just started to jump in because it looked fun. Or because they all of the sudden felt their monster friend could outdo those other wannbes. The only person who didn't fight was little Roy Oak and his Clefairy.

"Cleffy…this is all our fault…we have to do something…Cleffy?"

Cleffy waved her fingers back and forth. The next the thing everyone in the area knew they were engulfed in a flash of white.

(End Flashback)
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"That wasn't how battling began…" May scoffs. "What you're thinking of, is a very poor re-creation of the first ever Pokemon free-for-all. Pokemon battling has been going on for centuries. Ancient tombs have been found which show hieroglyphics of ancient kings battling with massive beasts. According to most rumors a lot of those Pokemon no longer exist."

The knowledge that the girl who claimed she hates Pokemon just gave out was something that none of them saw coming. Max crosses his arms and puts his nose to the sky. Humiliated at the fact that he was stumped by a No-Trainer. "Humph! I just mixed up my info is all!!"

Brendan gave May a small smile. It's not everyday someone is able to outsmart Max. "Hey," The snow-colored hair boy replied to the chestnut-haired girl. "You sure do know a lot about Pokemon…." Brendan catches his own blush. "Ah- I mean for someone who doesn't care for them I mean…"

To May, this boy was different. He didn't automatically pin the blame on her, nor did he treat her as trash simply because of her opinion. He actually wanted to hear her side of the situation.

It was because of the snow colored haired boy's caring nature that made a glow of pink appear on May's cheek the moment he smiled sheepishly at her.

Not liking the idea of having no control over her emotions, May quickly gets up and excuses herself from the group making her way to Route 101. Brendan manages to catch up with the quick moving girl and lightly grabs her by the wrists.

"Umm…Wait! Max is right though! It can get ugly without a Pokem-"

May turns to Brendan with a determined expression on her face. "I can take care of myself. A Pokemon will only slow me down." With that, May flashed Brendan a soft smile brimming with confidence and quickly left. Cursing herself along the way for becoming so weak around that boy.

Max crosses his arms as he throws May a little scowl from behind. "What a brat! I hope a Pokemon does rip her jugular out." Brendan smacks him upside the head for that crack. "Ouch! What was that for?!?" The 8-year-old Pokefanatic screams at the 13-year-old.

Suzie and Sally thought different of the new girl. Not having many females to look up to, they quickly became influenced by May's independence.

"I think she's cool" Suzie squeals very excited at the thought of running into her again. Sally nods as equally excited as stars twinkled in her eyes. "Big girl is strong and cool!"

"Yeah," Suzie agrees while gigging and running away. "She could beat up both Brendan and Max." Sally laughs and follows suite of her sibling.

Max, feeling a mixture of humiliation and anger, chases after the two girls, screaming at the top of his lungs. Brendan on the other-hand just stood there in deep thought.

'I wonder if that's the girl…'

 

[Isaac Gravity]

(Cont)
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(3 days ago)
(Location: Oldale Town)

A bus drives off. On the side it says Rustburo Pokemon Academy.

As the dust clears we see Brendan in school uniform standing in the place the bus stop once was. The boy gives a deep sigh then walks through town and into Route 101. Looking at the cloudless blue sky deep thought.

?Life in LittleRoot Town can be pretty dull. It?s a small town practically secluded from all of Hoenn. There aren?t not many kids my age there either? What? I saying not many people live there. Well I guess you?re all wondering who I am. Well, my name is Brendan Birch son of the well-known Pokemon Researcher Prof. Ivan Birch. My Dad is one of the three top scientists in the Pokemon world! (He says) Well despite being an easygoing guy he seems fairly serious about his research. Dad?s rarely home so Mom is usually less than enthusiastic.?

Brendan arrives home to see his mom submerged in Soap Operas.

?Mom, I?m home! Missed me??

Mrs. Birch was too engrossed in her Soaps to realize or actually care enough that her kid returned. ?Hm? Oh help yourself to something to eat dear.?

Brendan rolls his eyes and for one reason or another, narrates to the air. ?My Mom?s a pessimistic person. Very sarcastic and likes to ignore me. I mean, I?ve been gone away from home for six months at the Rustboro Boarding school and I never even got one ?I miss you? letter.?

Mrs. Birch walks up to Brendan and feels his forehead. ?Tsk. Gone crazy I see.?

?Uh, no Mom just remising on stuff.?

?Did you have fun at Sleep Away camp??

?... No Mom it was a Pokemon Academy. Remember??

?Explains why the bills were so bloody high. Well, anyway, how was it dear??

Brendan gives a little sigh?since his feelings itself, were mixed about the entire experience. ?All in all it was great?but the students there were all so snooty. They kept saying I was from the boonies and that I got such good marks ?cuz my dad is who he is??

Mrs. Birch looks at her child expressionlessly for a moment before going back to her favorite spot to watch TV. ?Well, you know it?s not true so ignore them.? Brendan smiles at the words of confidence. ?Thanks Mom. It?s good to actually talk to-?

?Not now!! Commercials are over!?

?Dammit! I knew it was too good to be true!!?

Brendan runs to his room most likely sulking.

?HEY! DON?T FORGET TO BRING SOME CRACKERS ON THE WAY BACK DOWN!!? Mrs. Birch gives a mean little grin as she munches on her cracker ?Like father, like son. They?re both wusses.?

Brendan, in the meantime, changes from his school uniform into his normal attire. After making the finishing touches on his shoelaces and grabs his backpack.

?No point hanging around here. I?ll go see Dad and get some fun in.? After bringing his pessimistic mother extra crackers Brendan walks outside. ?Like my Dad, I also enjoy researching Pokemon. I helped him a lot in his fieldwork when I was a little kid. It was mostly his idea to send me to the Rustboro Pokemon Academy for intensive studies on Pokemon and Pokemon training reasons.?

Brendan flashes his new trainer card in the air. ?Heheheh. I?m a full fledge trainer now. I can really help Dad with his fieldwork now. Besides, I wanna put that electronic Pokemon dictionary he said he?d give me to the test.?

?BRENDAN!? Suzie?s voice bellows from afar. ?OH MY GOSH! BRENDAN IS BACK!!? Sally finishes.

The two girls run up to Brendan hugging him. ?Hey Suzie, Hey Sally. Long time no see.?

?Brendan! Brendan!!? Both girls cry in unison. ?Brendan we have Pokemon nurse in town? Suzie beams happily at the thought of a new female role model. ?We have a beautiful nurse near your house.? Sally repeats in her own way.

Brendan looked a little surprised. ?Someone moved in that old house??

?But that house is so big and pretty? Sally argues. Suzie jumps up and down happily. ?Purple! Purple! Purple! Come!?

The girls grab Brendan by his hands and drag him to the house. There he sees his childhood friend, the purple-haired, green-eyed Laurel. Laurel was dressed in her black and white Oldale middle school uniform giving hints she just came back from school.

?Thank you ma?am.? Laurel bowed politely to the older woman. ?My poor Wurmple??

The woman smiles. ?It?s quite fine dear. If your Pokemon are tired and injured you?re more than welcome to stop by. Just make you sure you knock first? The rather attractive woman then gives a teasing little giggle after that.

?Whoa! What a righteous babe! And she?s actually living here??

Though, we know this friendly woman as May?s hyper Mom. One would say she does looks hot?I mean with her short, curly brown hair and her long lavender dress which does reveal her fine-toned figure.

This gave Brendan a rush of hormones. I suppose Mrs. Hiromi?s kind smile that was flashed in his and the twins? direction also influenced things.

?Brendan!? Laurel smiles as she happily hugs her childhood friend. ?Long time no see!?

?It?s good to see you too Laurel.?

Mrs. Hiromi turns to Suzie and Sally smiling brightly. ?Oh! Such cute little girls and you know what they say about cute girls.? Suzie and Sally obviously knew that?s why they blushed. Mrs. Hiromi then turns her attention to Brendan. ?And such a handsome young man. Are they your little sisters??

Brendan quickly blushes. ?Uh, no?they?re just friends of mine.? Laurel gives Brendan a playful shove. ?Did little Brendan finally learn about the opposite sex??


The boy quickly turns a dark shade of red. ?L-Laurel!? He stutters.

Mrs. Hiromi?s eyes widened for a moment. ?Brendan? Is by any chance your last name Birch??

?Yes ma?am.?

?Oh hello, my name Lanette Hiromi.? The curly haired brunette introduced herself. ?Your Father is a family friend of mine and my husbands.? Brendan looks puzzled for the moment before realizing. ?Oh! So you?re Norman?s wife! He visited us a few weeks ago. Nice to meet you Miss.?

?It?s good to be out in the countryside.? Mrs. Hiromi smiles as she takes a deep breathe. ?City life was waaaay too loud.? The woman quickly realized something. ?Oh! Brendan, Laurel that almost reminds me. I have a super cute little daughter about you?re age. She decided to stay behind to make sure the rest of our belongings get here. So she should be here in a few days.?

Laurel squeals at the news excitedly. ?Wow! Finally a kid our age!?

Laurel quickly notices the very offended looks on Suzie and Sally?s faces. Laurel quickly rewords her saying. ?I mean, a kid we could actually reflect with on big kid stuff.?

Suzie and Sally smile in approval. Brendan was the only one in the group a little unsure about the meeting. Aside from Laurel and the twins he?s not very good with girls. ?Err?what?s she like Ma?am??

?Yes!? Laurel giddily agrees as stars sparkled in her very cute emerald greens. ?Please give us all the details!?

Mrs. Hiromi gives a little sweatdrop as she playfully sticks out her tongue and sheepishly rubs the back of her head. ?Well?she?s? Different! And can be hard to approach sometimes. She didn?t have many friends back in Violet City and mostly got into fights with other kids. But all in all she has a good heart. Her name?? The woman continues as she smiles warmly. ?Is May.?

(End Flashback)
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?Sounds like her alright?? Brendan mentally mused. ?I hope she?ll be ok??

Suzie and Sally tackle Brendan.

?Brendan has a crush!? Suzie teased in a singsong tone. ?Brendan likes the big girl.? Sally adds in a non-singsong voice.

Hearing this, Max got pissed. ?WHAT! You traitor! How can you like someone so rude??

Brendan says nothing. He just sweatdrops.

End Chapter 1

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Meitantei Isaac's notes:

Topic: The Last name?

I bet you wonder why I made May?s last name Hiromi rather than Maple. And you were very pissed that I did that. (So pissed, that you formed an angry mob against me and are hunting me with your torches and weapons as we speak?Ok?So your not I?ve been watching too many old B Monster movies lately?Heh heh it is Monster month after all) Well, I?ll tell you:

In all honesty? it was lack of communication on my part. The anime from what I noticed never gave her a last name. (Or maybe I just missed the episode (if any) where she gave her last name) When I first worked on this story I realized that, for more human reasons May was going to need a last name so I just thought of anything. I like the name Hiromi so I figured why not? It wasn?t till I came to ff.net and read all the May related fics where she was given the Last name Maple. I thought it was a fan thing concerning trees. (Brendan Birch, May Maple) But I got this sinking feeling that I?m wrong?

Well no point in changing what has already been done I figured?. So I deiced to set the story as an AU. (Alternate Universe story) I also decided to base May?s character and appearance (Yeah the sharper than usual canine teeth) more on Sapphire?s from the Pokemon Special Manga since I liked her personality more to begin with AND Sapphire?s persona also fit the story situation I set up. I just made her appear a bit older since Sapphire is 10 in the manga and in my story May is 13.

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Think about it?in our world a lot of people are treated with indifference because they like Pokemon but in the Pokemon world it?s those Pokemon haters that get the rough time. That?s what I was just pointing out.

Also, for anyone reading this for the first time and guessed it. You?re right that Max is the Max from the Pokemon anime. (I don?t like him all that much) I think I got his personality down. He?s not related to May in anyway in this story.

Well next time: Chapter 2- Fire!

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don't own Pokemon or anything else.
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(Two days later…)

"Ok Mom!" 13-year-old Brendan Birch yells to his Mom as he exits his home "Be back soon."

"That's nice…" Mrs. Birch calls out from inside the house. "OH! DON'T FORGET THE MILK!"

Brendan gives a depressed sigh as he walks over to the Hiromi residence. He was still a bit unsure about the reasons his father gave him to visit. 'Hmm I understand why Dad would give me one… but why Mrs. Hiromi's daughter…'
Brendan's thoughts then become cluttered with his thoughts on May as a quick blush over took his cheeks. 'If that girl from the other day is May… Then… why would she need one? Unless… there's more to what she is than meets the eye.'

Brendan arrives in the yard of the Hiromi residence to see the ever-cheerful Mrs. Hiromi gardening in a fresh flower patch. "Oh, hello Brendan!" She kindly greets.

"Good afternoon ma'am." The boy politely answers before he notices a Torchic hyperly running about in the yard. "Wow cool! Is that Torchic yours? They're very rare you know."

"You mean little Tsu?" Mrs. Hiromi beamed with pride "No, she's May's Pokemon. I let all my Pokemon run free into the wild long ago. The rest…" she continues through saddened eyes. "Just passed away."

"Sorry… umm, Miss…is May here today? I have an item from my Dad to give her."

Mrs. Hiromi gives a teasing grin. "Is that the only reason? May is upstairs, first door to your right… Oh, but there's something else…what is it now…"

Brendan, lost in his own thoughts absent-mindedly enters the Hiromi household and goes upstairs.

Being a person born in a town where everyone knows each other so there's no need for formalities has taken its toll on Brendan. Without knocking, Brendan opens the door leading to May's room.

"OH! NOW I REMEMBER! BRENDAN!!!-" Mrs. Hiromi was too late. The curly haired brunette sweatdrops as she squeaks in a low mummer. "May was taking a bath and is probably getting dressed as we speak…"

"WHAT ARE YOU STARIN' AT!? GET OUT ALREADY!!"

:: POW!::

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Chapter 2- Fire!
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"Ugh…my head…" The snow-colored hair 13-year-old grumbles as he held is forehead, which felt like it was going to bust.

Brendan quickly realizes he's still inside the Hiromi household. Mrs. Hiromi was cooking in the kitchen, while the Torchic sat on his stomach with an expression that said: "You got knocked the hell out!"

His assaulter, the same girl from the other day, the same girl whose been on his mind for quite some time since her appearance, sat on a chair opposite of him playing on her GBA.

May, who knew what she was going to say to Brendan, would make her look like the immature one chose to say nothing. She just got up from her comfy spot and places a fresh pack of ice by his right eye.

Brendan couldn't get mad at the girl. After all it was his fault. He just timidly sat there letting May attend to his nasty bruise.

"S-Sorry about that…" Brendan stutters. "I should've knocked…"

May gives him a very annoyed look but tries to say something nice. "Look, no harm done. So just drop it ok!?" May then notices the Torchic looking at her peculiarly. "Something funny bird?"

The Torchic says nothing; she just jumps off of Brendan and runs to the kitchen. Leaving Brendan and May to stare at each other in silence for a few minutes. That is, until Brendan chooses to break the silence.

"So YOU'RE May. From your Mom's description you seemed like you'd be her."

May's eyebrow twitches slightly from that remark, forcing Brendan quickly puts hands up defensively. "I mean it's just that you're so tough- wh-Wait! I mean you seem like you're a good fighter and all and after seeing for myself how hard you hit-GAAR I don't mean it like that I mean…I-I don't mean to stereotype but…it just…"

"It's ok. I get that often."

Brendan's eyes downcast to the floor with guilt, thinking that May must have regarded him as a total creep and a jerk after the previous incident. Brendan then turns to May in hopes of sorting out his horrid mistake.

The girl throws Brendan another very annoyed expression. "Just drop it." The chestnut-haired girl quickly softens as she saw the quite fearful look on Brendan's face which forces her to finish her words in a very soft intone voice as she returns to her chair. "…It saves us both the embarrassment."

"w-Wait! I really came here to give this to you. It's from my Dad." Brendan manages to sit up as he searches his pockets. He then hands May a black and red portable type of mini computer with the name 'Alia' on it. "It's an electronic Pocket Monster dictionary."

"A Pokedex…" May states matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, but it's not just any Pokedex." Brendan pulls out his Pokedex that has the name 'Ciel' on it. He then plugs in a password to make it go into a different mode. "Y'see this is here is the Battle ****yzer. In battle it helps you collect data on your opponents emotion frequency, trainer rank and their Pokemon's evolutionary level. But that's not all. Its main function is to help you ****yze the current power levels and status parameters of all of your in-party Pokemon."

Brendan smiles proudly. "This has got to be my Dad's greatest work. He says he owes it all to you and wanted you to also have his second prototype before he sells the design to Devon. These Pokedex's are special because aside from the Battle ****yzer they also contain their own unique personalities thanks to a new type of Artificial Intelligence. So you have sort of have a traveling partner whose not really there. The one Dad is giving to you is named Alia. Mine is Ciel."

'So that's what that old man used the chip in my necklace for…' May grumbles mentally before facing Brendan. "Well, thanks I guess…"

Brendan felt satisfied to know May wasn't really angry with him. With his mission complete he readies to make his leave.

"You wanna wait until your headache is gone?"

"Uh wha?"

"I hit you pretty hard, and falling on your head didn't help you much either…"

There were two things Brendan didn't notice until now. The first thing was May's attire. She wasn't dressed like a scrappy street kid this time. She wore a white school blouse and a striped knee length skirt. The second thing was May's attitude despite talking in the same gruff manner she did when they first met…

The boy considers this to himself as he gazes into May ocean blues.

May was a bit confused at why Brendan was staring at her so trance-like. Her confusion quickly turned into self-consciousness as she noticed that his eyes were slowly shifting from her face to her fine toned legs. May quickly uses two of her fingers to lift Brendan's chin so he can look into her face again.

"It's a skirt! I wear them from time to time."

"But those "time to times" were when I forced you." Mrs. Hiromi chirps as cheerful as ever while holding drinks and snacks.

May throws her Mom a quick scowl before being handed the goods.

"Here. You and your guest can take these to your room."

"What guest?" May argues. "The Clorox-head kid was just going and what's wrong with here?"

An X-shaped vein appears on right side of Mrs. Hiromi's head as her face looked demonic for a moment. "Don't be difficult May!"

"Just seeing if I could exercise my first amendment rights." May jokes.

"The constitution has its limits dear." Mrs. Hiromi smiles as she playfully gestured May to the stairs. She then turns to Brendan with a wide smile.

Though it was hard to notice, Brendan could still see the vein on the woman's head. "You're not going to let her eat all those snacks are you? Go join her."

"Yes ma'am." he squeaks.

---------------
(10 Minutes)

The time spent upstairs was a quiet one. Neither uttered a word to each other.

May lie on her side while watching TV, never once making visible eyes contact with Brendan. Her eyes were focused on Alia and her face too flushed to do so.

Brendan on the other hand just didn't want to be taken as a pervert or something to look at May while her back was turned. So he just focused his attention on the Torchic instead.

With their stalemate in silence going strong. Brendan again chose to be the one to break their silence.

"So…May…"

"Hm?"

"What's with the Torchic? I mean, I though you weren't really into Pokemon? Or…is what you said the other day some kind of cover…"

May gives an exasperated sigh. "Long story…"

"Heheh. I have time to spare. I don't mind hearing… Ah! That is if you don't mind I mean."

May considers this for the moment and begins to speak. Finally turning to face Brendan to do so. "Ok…Y'see it happened yesterday afternoon. I was at home putting some finishing touches in my room and my mom wanted me to go visit the next-door neighbors and family friend the Birch's… I was more than happy to agree."

-----------
(Flashback)

"But Maaaaaaaay…" Mrs. Hiromi whines to her less than enthusiastic child who finally caved in. "Okokokokok Mom I'll go…"

Despite what she said May continues to lie on her bed.

"What?"

"JUST GO!"

"Right, right…"

May quickly heads next door. Upon arriving there May realizes that the door is wide open and sees a woman watching TV oblivious to the world around her. Being a girl raised in the city May knew that was perhaps the stupidest thing to do and the most obvious trap so she knocks on the door while entering.

The sole resident in the home at the time Mrs. Birch, turns to see May in a mock surprised fashion before going back to her soaps. "Congratulations, you are the first person to actually have the intelligence to knock before entering."

"I try." The 13-year-old dryly counters.

"Good for you." The silver-haired woman with blonde strands and faded emerald green eyes verbally parries. "So, what brings you here?"

"Came here to visit my neighbors"

"That didn't at all sound enthusiastic."

"Sorry, I left the item called my na?ve happiness in my left drawer."

"Life must hate you huh?" The woman smirks. Despite enjoying this trade of words May chose to get to the point and go on with her life.

"So anyway, is there a Prof. Birch here?"

"I left him in the left corridor." The woman mocks the girl's earlier comment. Forcing her to quirk an eyebrow. "Either you're lazy or you have nothing else to say."

"Neither," The woman shrugs. "I just don't want to make a little girl cry."

Surprised silence was the 13-year-old's response.

"Nothing to say?"

"I'm thinking!"

"Come back in a few years when you're ready to face the master." The woman replies as she smugly bit into a cracker.
Despite that her favorite Soap Opera is still on, the woman turns to May, scrutinizing her with what most would call interest. "I like you kid, my son and husband would've both broke down the first verbal assault. My name is Gillian Birch."

"May Hiromi."

"Ah, so you're Lanette's kid. Yup, the description fits perfectly. You're almost my equal in seven places."

"Somehow… I feel that's not the last time I'm gonna hear those words."

Mrs. Birch couldn't help but smirk. "Anyway. My husband Ivan, or as you know him as Prof. Birch is out doing his fieldwork. And my son Brendan is out running chores for me. I would've let you simply go upstairs to greet him but thems the breaks."

"You make it sound as though we already met."

"You did. He was the boy you so easily over powered." After hearing that the 13-year-old realized the situation. "Oh! The Clorox-head kid!"

Mrs. Birch nods. "Good kid…" The sliver haired woman now notices the pink tints on May's cheeks upon that appeared when mentioning her son. "You know what you two seem like you'll get along great."

"Can you do me a favor May?" Brendan's mother continued without waiting for a yes or a no. "Brendan is taking too long at the food mart in Oldale, most likely getting bullied. Do me a favor and find out what's going on. There's a five in it for ya."

'The guy didn't seem to be the type that could defend himself…' The girl mentally mused. 'But looks can be deceiving.'

"From the deep thought I take it you must be deciding?"

May grins at Mrs. Birch and quickly leaves for Route 101 without uttering another word.

"Heh. She reminds me of myself at that age."

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
----------------------------

(Entrance to Route 101)

"You again…" May grumbles when she meets Max and the twins blocking the entrance AGAIN.

"I don't care what Brendan says!" Max points an accusing finger at the girl. "You cannot pass here!"

This annoyed the 13-year-old to no end. "So what are my Mom and I gonna do about food shopping and supplies?"

"Get a Pokemon then!"

Suzie tucks at Max's green shirt while giving the 8-year-old a pleading look. "Max, not everyone owns a Pokemon and they do just fine in Route 101."

Suzie's younger twin Sally nods. "Yeah, you don't own one."

Hearing that Max coughs to cover his goof. "Well... That's because I'm not of age! You have to be at least ten to be acknowledged as a Pokemon trainer. If I were of age I wouldn't be hanging around here, nope. I'd be out there catching and raising Pokemon and battling Gym Leaders in hopes of becoming one someday…The Gym Leader I wanna be like is that guy in Petalburg. He's been here for a few months now and he got all the trainers running with their tails between their legs! What was his name…Norman Hiromi…or something…"

May grimaced at that name before Max puts her back to his attention. "And what do you hope to accomplish in life! Without a Pokemon you can't do much?"

"There's more to life than Pokemon." May began coolly. "Just like people they live and die. There's a lot of Pokemon who actually hate humans do you bug them?"

"How do you expect to gain respect from anybody if you don't become a trainer! How do you expect to make any friends??"

"…And you think acting like a snotty know-it-all will change that loneliness… It won't… you'd just be lying to yourself… You were born alone and you can die alone… there's nothing wrong with being alone. Or is that what you're truly afraid of?"

Max stood there shocked at what May had just told him. May didn't want to go that far in her words but the boy left her no choice.

Even though May hated the thought of moving away from her very little number of friends she worked so hard to make back in Violet City, she was also happy to be able to start over, live in a place where no one knows her business and doesn't give her a hard time about it.

But then comes along this kid blabbing about town about her disdain for Pokemon. Though others didn't care one way or the other this was her business and hers alone.

With that thought in mind May walks by Max with hopes this puts an end to his harassment. The tension in the air dissipates as a high-pitched scream pollutes the air. May, Max and the twins all run to the source.

There, they see a man running like a scared child from a Poochyena.

"Brendan's Daddy!" Suzie giggles. "Brendan's Daddy is playing a fun game!" Sally giggles as well.

"No he's not! He's in trouble!" Max scolds the younger girls.

Prof. Birch continues to run in circles screaming for help as the pup Pokemon attempts to bite at his rear.

Though as amusing as it looked, May was busy not wasting anytime May circles around the Poochyena and grabs it by its neck. The Pokemon gives a little yelp as it's pulled up to May's irritated face.

"Ugh! For the love of god! It's only a tiny puppy! It just wants to play."

The Poochyena, insulted by May's words howls loudly. Out of the bushes two more Poochyenas jump out to aid their friend. Both growled menacingly at the 13-year-old.

"This isn't good!" Prof. Birch squeaks.

Sally begins to weep behind her sister horrified for May safety.

"Is this some kind of point you're trying to prove!?" Max yells at the 13-year-old. "Get away quick! They'll hurt you!"

May doesn't say anything; she just looks at the Poochyena she held in her hand. Knowing that the other two won't do anything that would risk their friend's safety she used that to feel superiority over them.

Even though she could pretty much twist its fragile neck, the Poochyena never backed down. It continued to growl fiercely at May this forces a smile on the girl's face.

"Your pride will get you in trouble one day…" The 13-year-old replies sage-like as she sets the Poochyena down. "Look, I don't know what happened but whatever it is, it was an accident. So will you let it slide?"

The Poochyena considered this for a moment and turned away it's two friends followed suite.

Max and the twins just stood shocked at what just happened. Prof. Birch on the other hand only smiled to himself seeing this unknown child who seems to have a lot of potential in action. Best of all, he would see even more.

The same Poochyena who May spared turned backed to her and barked at her as though wanting something. Being a man who spends his time trying to understand Pokemons feelings the chubby Professor quickly understood what it wanted.

"Hmm you, girl, go into my backpack and grab a Pokemon to defend yourself."

"What!?"

Prof. Birch smiles proudly. "It wants to fight you. It's obviously quite prideful."

"I don't have time for this!" May yells.

"Yeah she hates Pokemon!" Max agrees.

"I see…" The Hoenn Pokemon Researcher replies. "So I guess you want to be mauled by a pack of Poochyena…"

The man then gestures to the twenty more Poochyena hiding in the grass. "The Poochyena you dealt with was their groups leader. I don't think it likes handouts so it wants to even the score. Better do what he says or well, die."

May didn't really have a choice, it was fight the leader Pokemon to Pokemon or fight herself, take out probably some of them and get slaughtered by the remaining group of them.

One would say this situation was almost ironic. May, not wanting to waste anymore time, quickly rummages through the Profs' backpack and sees three balls. Each glowing with it's own aura from what she could see.

One was serene like nature, the other blew with cool tranquility like the ocean, and the third ball was the one that caught her attention. It burned with an intensity that roared out to her. May knew what she wanted. Taking the third ball she tossed it out into the battlefield and out of the ball popped out a little orange bird.

The little bird, completely oblivious to her surroundings ruffled her feathers in a cheerful yawn. She then turned blankly to the one that summoned her.

May was at a complete loss of words for the creature. From what she sensed she thought a Charmander or Ninetales would've been inside that ball but instead was this cute little bird.

"What horrible luck." Max shrugs. "She got a Torchic. Totally useless Pokemon"

"Of all the fire Pokemon in the world I get a uselessly stupid looking one." May gripes.

The Torchic though quite young is obviously prideful. And takes May's words to full insult. Her ignorance towards her adversary caused her to get hit from behind by a Tackle attack

"Tor!"

May catches the tiny little chick Pokemon feeling a tad guilty about sending it out to do her dirty work.

"Look, I don't ask for much, but if you wanna avoid getting beat up by that thing just follow my every order." Torchic ignores her. Pretty much angering the 13-year-old who was nowhere near as pleased about this alliance herself.

"Wanna die?" May questions the chick Pokemon, gesturing to the Poochyena surrounding them. The bird pales lightly before complying.

"Thought so, well neither do I! We're partners until this is sorted out! So shut-up and follow everything I say! Bird! Erm…" The girl gets a good look at the little bird's talons. "Scratch!"

The Torchic scratches the Poochyena giving it a good amount of damage. The Poochyena, now angered, blindly rushes at the bird with a tackle attack.

"On my order… DODGE!!" Torchic nods as quickly jumps over Poochyena. "Not bad… Didn't think something so small could be so swift on its feet… Now end this!"

The Torchic doesn't need May to tell her twice. Torchic, still over the pup Pokemon's head, lands down on it talons first in a downward scratch attack. The Poochyena quickly faints.

Over some time, the pup Pokemon groggily gets up and gives one last look at the duo of May and Torchic. Giving them a toothed smirk it then makes its leave. The rest of his group follow suite.

"Big girl is strong!" Sally squeals as stars formed on her eyes. "Very!" Suzie agrees.

"You're... decent." Max coughs.

"Bravo!" Prof. Birch claps quite impressed with his savior. "You two make quite a mean team. If you could be so kind young lady, I'd like you to come back to my lab."

"I was just passing through. I have to go." May comments as she tries to leave.

"Nonsense!" Prof. Birch counters as he grabs May by her wrist and drags her back to town. "This will take only a minute of your time. I promise!"

-------------
(5 minutes later)

"Oho! I see! You're Norman's kid no wonder why battling seemed so adept to you. Well May, my name is Prof. Birch, I'm a very important type Pokemon researcher."

"Important or not you're still a frickin' wuss…" May grumbles under her breathe.

Prof. Birch's left eyebrow twitches to the comment but continues to speak.

"Anywho, May, why don't you keep the Torchic. Don't be shy at all! Just take her! She's now yours and can see the world outside these walls!! Man, I'm too kind…"

"You almost make it sound as though I have a choice…." The 13-year-old sighs then takes a glance at the Torchic. "But I guess she isn't bad… I guess I can find some use for you. A lot of good recipes with poultry after all."

Torchic growls lightly at that remark.

"Actually, I would like to give you my newest creation too. An upgraded version of the Pokedex, which blows Oak's and Elm's away! Proving once and for all I am the greatest scientist of them all!" The man then gives a dejected sigh. "But it's not done yet… I'm still missing the key component… Norman said he'd give it to upon his visitation but…"
The cowardly Professor then takes note of May necklace. "That's it! The component! Who'd suspect a child…May you must give me that item immediately!!"

"It was given to me for my birthday… but… Ii-It's stupid anyway! Just take it!"

"And believe me, you'll see it's true purpose shortly, all I need is a day! Thank you very much May!" The jovial man looked as though he was going to burst into tears right there. "Most people would've laughed at me…"

May picks up Torchic and quickly runs out of the lab.

"Geez, of all the idiotic-I can't believe what I got myself into…" The 13-year-old grumbles before addressing her Pokemon. "Torchic right? I got things to run that don't involve bright orange birds. My house is that purple one, provided that you aren't color blind, you-"

Torchic wriggles free from May's grasp and face her with an X-shape vein on the right side of her head. "Torchic! Tor to tor tor chieeic! Tor…"

Though speaking in its own tongue, it quite obvious that the Torchic was not very pleased.

The little orange bird reveals its sharp talons that glimmer in the light. It then immediately lunges at May.

"This won't end well…" The girl mutters through a sweatdrop.

(End Flashback)

--------------

An X-shaped vein appears on left side of May's head at the remembrance at this situation.

"That reminds me…" May then turns to the Torchic and punches her on the head. "Do that again and I'll cut your head off, pluck every feather from your body and cook you while you're still convulsing!!!"

'I'd like to see you try!' The Torchic mentally growls.

Brendan quickly plays peacemaker again and asks May another question. "Ok… But that still doesn't explain much May. Like why you dislike Pokemon."

May stops glaring at Torchic and turns to Brendan. "That's none of your business." May harshly states as she gets up and attempts to leave the room.

"Sorry?"

"I'll be back. I just have to go buy some school supplies. Feel free to play with Tsunami all you want."

"Tsunami?"

"Her full name is Blazing Tsunami." May replies as she gestures towards the Torchic. "But I just call Tsunami for short." May then walks out the door.

Brendan smiles as he pets Tsunami "Heh. You got a real interesting partner." Tsunami the Torchic gives a little scowl as she vainly enjoys Brendan's pampering.

'Yeah if you like stupid humans…'

------------
(One week later)
(Location: Oldale Middle school)

"Did you hear?" One boy talked to his three friends "The Crimson Fighter struck again!"

"Yeah!" A girl confirms, "Heard she beat two more members of the Howling Wolves. Real top ranked ones too!"

The other boy gives a little scoff. "What makes you think it's a girl? No female trainer is that tough."

The other girl gives an angry scowl as she balls her fist at the sexist. "Ha! I whip you in battles all the time!"

"Only because I don't want you to cry like a baby!" The boy snaps back.

The first boy walks between the two. "Well, whatever the problem is it just proves those punks are only tough in numbers. If one kid can whip 'em soundly then so can anyone else."

They all agree as they plan to make their own assault on the Howling Wolves.

May just sat in the back. One eye open, one eye closed, ease-dropping on her classmates rumor spreading. The chestnut-haired 13-year-old eventually turns off her CD player and pulls out Alia.

"We sure had a lot of fun last night huh?"

"If you call almost getting arrested fun May." The talking computer complains. May shrugs. "So I zigged when I should've zagged."

"I'm being quite serious May!" Alia snaps. "We almost lost that one and to make matters worse the police are on our case now. If you don't take this seriously-"

"Whatever, we collected a whole lot of data last night though. Tsunami went up a few levels."

"Yes, well it's not like her attitude is doing any better. You two are partners if not anything else. I need to see a better unification between you two if I'm to get better data ****ysis on both of your improvement."

May raised an eyebrow at what she just heard the normally cold and calculative Alia just uttered. "Alia, I'm surprised. I almost expected you to say different."

"I don't care too much for friendship in business myself," Alia scoffs. "I just want to see better results from the both of you. But you two are going to have to get along first. Remember May, this isn't like one of your little video games."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Pokemon are living things just like humans. They live they feel and they die." May finishes Alia's lecture while giving a little grin.

"One would call your attitude contradicting…" Alia coldly comments. May counters with a little shrug.

"I don't hate Pokemon to the point where I wanna go on a mass Pikachu killing spree. Though it sounds… tempting."

It was at times like this Alia wished she had eyes, just so she can roll them. "Yeah… your sadistic meaning of pride is too strong for that…"

"Besides, Tsunami hates humans and me especially… That's probably why I like her so much."

"You lost me…"

"We're the ultimate team… Tsunami won't subject to me until I show her my true power. I won't win her respect 'till she gets what she wants. And I'll give her what she wants."

"Wow. May, I'm impressed. You actually thought this through."

"Oh ha ha Al." May dryly mock laughs as she stuffs Alia back in her backpack "And I know what you're gonna say… My answer is simple… Just you wait and see."

End chapter 2

----------------------------------------------------------------
Hmm I think I went over board with the one-liners too oh well…

Next- Chapter 3- Of truth and decisions

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else
-------------------

It?s been a month since 13 year-old May Hiromi moved into the region of Hoenn. And what a month it?s been. For a young child who dislikes Pokemon, the exact things that she dislikes has ultimately put a huge influence on her life.

First, she saves a cowardly Professor from a wild Poochyena and obtains a quite proud Torchic that she later names Tsunami as a reward. Then she receives a state of the art Pokedex named Alia who bears a cynical, yet no-nonsense approach on life.

May?s usual cold, cynical exterior began to dissipate too?Ok, well only when the young man Brendan Birch was concerned...

May spent most of time hanging out with the snow-colored hair boy; the two had practically become the best of friends. May was also pleased to know that Brendan no longer stuttered around her
He, as she quickly learned was actually quite boastful and competitive when you get to know him well enough.

Though she told Brendan a lot of things, most topics like her past or the fact at night she plays vigilante as the Crimson Fighter were some things she could never reveal to him.

Currently, May is trying to get Tsunami under her full control.
------------
Chapter 3- Of truth and decisions
-----------------
(Location: Route 103)

Brendan and May sat at the spot they usually like to meet and talk. While Brendan was dressed in his usual trainers attire May was dressed in the Oldale Middle School uniform.

?I just noticed?? May gives an enlightened look as she turns off her CD player. ?Why don?t you I ever see you in school? Are you a dropout?? She teased.

Brendan frowns at the girl?s joke. ?Huh? N-no?I go to a boarding school in Rustburo. Right now, I?m on a three-month trainers leave.? The snow colored hair boy then leans back quite content with himself. ?But, since my grades are so high I can always get it extended for another four months. And I think I am.?

?That bad??

?Actually,? Brendan smiles. ?It?s great there?but?its way too competitive is all. I wasn?t very liked there?I only had like five friends.?
The boy sits up again for his full explanation. ?Three of them dropped out because they couldn?t take the pressure of staying on top anymore. One of them got such great grades they asked her to be a teacher for younger students in her spare time. She needed the money so she agreed. I haven?t seen her much after that. My last friend is much younger than me, only Ten but she?s being compared to our current school prodigy. She?s currently taking the level of class I was before I left.?

?And what level is that?? May asked full of interest.

?Badge Level 4. Right now I have the same qualifications of a trainer who earned four badges. But, it doesn?t mean anything??
Brendan gives a slight angry look?as though he had been blinded from the truth the whole time. ?Sure we may learn the stats and strengths of Pokemon. But a real trainer sees the true pain and grow much stronger. I wanna bear that burden too?I wanna see how it?s like?Data isn?t everything! Ciel taught me that.?

Though silent the whole time May had a good idea where this conversation was leading to?

And she right? Brendan?s face was full of uncertainty but at the same time, broadening with determination and hope. ?I?m going on a Pokemon journey first thing tomorrow?I know you?d refuse if I ask you if you want to come?sorry??

May says nothing but hands Brendan what?s left of her necklace.

?m-May??

?It?s suppose to bring good luck?? May replies.

The chestnut haired girl then dusts herself off, picks up her backpack and turns to leave not wanting Brendan to see the slight saddened look on her face. ?It?s getting late?Look I gotta go. Later.?

?Sure?? Brendan sadly replies as he watched his friend go.
-----------------
(Location: LittleRoot)
(Hiromi Household)

May, still in her school uniform lays on her bed. Her eyes showed little sign of emotion.

?Might I suggest you lament your losses and move on?? Alia spoke to her friend and owner very unsure of how to handle May?s current emotional state.

???

?Let me guess?He was your first real best friend??

???

?I thought so?? The A.I. Contraption sighs. ?You can?t mope like this forever May?You haven?t even done your homework yet and you usually love history.?

The chestnut haired girl?s attitude had also quirked the full interest of the usually proud Tsunami the Torchic, who just entered the room out of pure boredom.

Not liking the idea of the girl acting against her usual nature, the Chick Pokemon
quickly picks up May?s blood red scarf with her beak and places it in front of her.

Tsunami?s entire kind gesture alone, caught May off guard. ?I must be acting horribly pitiful if I have your sympathy?? The girl replied in a hushed voice as tears swell up in her eyes.

Sitting up, May wiped her tears and smirks at her Pokemon partner and A.I. travel guide.

?If you?re feeling better?? Alia assures. ?I?d like to collect some data and not got to jail??

?Hmph. You worry too much.? May grins. Obviously back to normal.

Of course the fact of never seeing her only friend again for who knows how long still hurt? But May had to be strong?

Recover and mend that unbreakable composure she once had before Brendan came along and softened her.

May quickly changed from her school uniform, to a short-sleeved red shirt black sweatpants and carefully wraps the red scarf around her face.

?Aha! I knew it!? Max yelled as he pointed an accusing finger at May. ?You really do like Pokemon May! Or should I say the rouge Crimson Fighter!?

Max fixes the position of his glasses and smugly walks up to May. ?What are you doing here?!? May growls at the 8-year-old.

?Your Mom let me in?Y?see I?just wanted to apologize to you for how I acted towards you-? Max cut himself off the moment he laid eyes on Alia. ?Oh wow! You have one too! Man you?re so lucky! If I were as big as you??

Alia scoffs. ?It has nothing to do with age or height. May is the only one talented enough to operate me.?

?Oh please!? Max rebukes. ?If that feather brain could use you then I could easily work you!?

?But only May knows my access code. And has the intelligence to digest all my logical information.?

May quickly decides to stop the soon to be argument between boy and machine. ?Max! Tell me what you want or Tsunami rips you a new one.?

Max pales and gulps hard when he realized that May is the type who would let her Pokemon do this. ?I already told you. Also, we all knew how close you and Brendan got. So I came to check up on you?and tell you that Brendan wants to meet you by the usual spot. Don?t worry I won?t tell anyone your secret??

Max turns to the door but looks back to May. ?Oh, and you might want to bring your Pokemon too??

Max gives May another smug look then steps out.

?May?? Alia mummers.

?If he wants to talk ok by me??

May takes off her Crimson Fighter outfit and goes back into her school uniform.

?Ugh, Why can?t you just admit you?re happy?? Alia chides. May gives the Pokedex a mock-surprised expression. ?Since when did you become so emotional? Let?s go!?
--------------------------
(20 minutes later)
(Location: Route 103)

May, with Tsunami on her shoulder and Alia in her hand arrives to the ?spot.? There they see Brendan waiting there, standing very patiently cross-armed.

?The stars are lovely tonight. Aren?t they Bleach?? May calls out to him teasingly.

Brendan however wasn?t in a joking mood. He looked dead serious. Not even the elated twinkle in May?s Ocean Blue eyes were fazing him. ?So you actually came.? He replied steely. ?I?m surprised you didn?t wear your night attire? Crimson Fighter.?

?So you figured it out all by yourself?? May scoffs.

Brendan gives a little shrug. ?It was kind of a no-brainer May. What you?re doing is wrong though,? The boy points out. ?You don?t understand how deep you are!! The Howling Wolves are already shaking down any local trainer with a Pokemon, even if they?re treated as house pets! And let?s not get started on the authorities!?

?No.?

?Why you even are do something so dumb to begin with? What exactly are you trying to prove??

May quickly didn?t like where this discussion was heading to and flashed Brendan a harsh glare. ?My secrets are none of your business! I?m just having fun. Besides, Tsunami and Alia want this I could really care less.?

Brendan gives a sad little sigh. ??I knew you?d say something like that?And that?s exactly why I wanted to see you?? The snow colored hair boy then grips a Pokeball and gives a very confident glare. ?I?m sorry but this is going to end. One way or the other!?

End Chapter 3

--------------------
Next Chapter 4- Torrents and Cleptos

-------------------
EDIT note: Sometimes it's embarrasingly possible to turn your own characters a tad out of their usual nature even if they are erractic minded...Oy, Well mistake fixed...I really should consider getting a beta reader Looking for mistakes myself causes me to overlook certain things...Much to my humliation
Next Chapter 4- Torrents and Cleptos

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else.
----------------

?You know what you?re asking right?? May Hiromi confirmed to Brendan Birch who just challenged her to a Pokemon battle.

?One on One sound good?? He asked, completely ignoring May?s arrogance. ?Fine by me?Tsunami, get to it.?

?Tor!? The chick Pokemon agrees as she jumps off of May?s shoulder. Brendan shook his head a bit guilty for doing this ?Sorry May but this fight is gonna be over quick.? The snow colored hair boy comments confidently as he throws his Pokeball. ?Go Ragnarok!?

A Mudkip pops out of the Pokeball with a determined expression on his face.

May snickers. ?That?s a weird name??

Brendan gives May a slight insulted look. ?Oh? And naming a Fire-type Pokemon after water isn?t?They have nothing to do with each other!!?

?Says you?Now let?s stop wasting time! C?mon!?
------------------
Chapter 4- Torrents and Cleptos (part 1)
---------------------

?Ragnarok! Water Gun!? Brendan commands his Mudfish Pokemon.

Ragnarok quickly follows his trainer?s orders and shoots a strong blast of water in Tsunami?s direction, which lands three feet to the right of her.

?Looks like that Pokemon needs some classes in aiming properly.? Alia taunts.

Brendan was completely fazed by the rude talking computer?s heckling but ignores her and critiques May instead. ?Hey May! What was that about!? Tsu could?ve really got hurt if hit by its weakness!?? A sudden whirlwind of overconfidence overtook Brendan as he attempted to insult May. ?Or was his moves just too fast for you and Tsu to handle??

May was completely unmoved by Brendan?s taunt. ?No.? She dryly comments. ?It looked like it had poor aim. Just like how his trainer has poor eye sight, so I just put two and two together??

?Which equaled no threat!? Alia smugly added in.

?Tor torchic!?

May then eyes Brendan annoyed as she readies her Pokemon?s attack. ?Now I?ll show you how effective proper aiming is!? She warns. ?Tsunami! Scratch!?

Tsunami ran at Ragnarok at full speed quickly moving from left to right to throw her foe off course.

?r-Ragnarok! Dodge it quick!?

?m-Mud!? Ragnarok nimbly jumps back and avoids Tsunami?s poor version of a roundhouse-style Scratch attack.

Due to Tsunami?s small size, the way she attempted her attack caused her to spin on one claw off balanced. Now was Brendan?s chance to end this. ?Now! While her guard is down! Water Gun at point blank range!?

Despite his lack of aim, not even Ragnarok could miss a target at that length. The water attacked soaked Tsunami as she rolled back to her trainer in unimaginable pain.

?Good job you two! That?s using your head!? Ciel compliments.

Alia gives a little scoff. ?Whatever, Tsunami just likes to show off?she still has the Health Points left to fight.?

Brendan gives a proud little smirk. ?Yeah. If you call 2 Health Points something to fight for!! Rag-?

??OK!? May calls to Brendan. ?We give?we got too reckless?Let?s say you won??

?You?re just giving up!?? Brendan asked. Somehow feeling that was all anticlimactic.

May glares at Brendan before stating matter-of-factly. ?It?s for your Pokemon?s own good too! Because in all honesty I could?ve had Tsu turn your fish into sushi within our first attack alone.?

?Y-yeah right May! You aren?t that strong? Brendan shot back fazed by May?s words.

?MUD!!?

Brendan turns to his starter Pokemon in shock as he sees Ragnarok?s face full of scratches and a deep gash on its right cheek. Brendan then quickly checks his Pokemon?s status. ?Only 12 Health Points left!? Wha! When did this happen!??

Ragnarok weakly turns to Tsunami who was as equally smug about the situation.

?Tsunami clawed at your Pokemon once and missed the second time?? May states. ?The first time alone would?ve been enough to permanently maim your monster. You just got lucky we didn?t take this too seriously??

Brendan gives a good-natured smile, healing Ragnarok with a Potion and offering May one for her Pokemon. ?I don?t know whether to be impressed or insulted May. But I can?t expect no less from a Gym Leaders kid??

Something inside the girl clicked when she heard those words.

May was now fully agitated. ?Yeah?let?s thank the man who?s responsible for making me the way I am!? May?s eyes practically look feral as she narrows them. ?Forcing me into crap that I refused. Hoping he?d be enough of a supporting person to understand my hopes and dreams?Ha! He never cared?He?s the one that causes me to be this way?he?s the one that turned me into a monster??

?May don?t say another word.? Brendan ushers her. ?I -?

May completely ignored the snow colored hair boy as she forced her attention to her Pokedex.

?Alia, search all of your Pokemon News related info which dates back to eight years ago!?

??Computing?Found three articles, all related??

?The Crop Kids?? Max?s voice uttered from off screen.

Brendan and May both turn to the direction of the voice. There we see Max and Laurel both coming out of their hiding place from the bushes.

?Crop?? The farm girl queries.

?Didn?t you ever hear of that!?? Max turns to Laurel before explaining anyway. ?Five years ago some up and rising criminal syndicate was trying to not only create the ultimate Pokemon soldiers. But they also needed a strong army of Trainers as well. Capturing children from many regions by passing themselves off as a trainer camp, the Syndicate took the captive children to the Southern Islands where their base was located. There, the children were horribly abused, maltreated and tortured to become perfect expressionless warriors.? Max looks to Alia. ?Alia, can you give us a bit more info on it.?

Alia made no response, making Max puff his cheeks. ?Fine! Then can you tell us Ciel??

?I don?t see why not?? Brendan?s polite Pokedex answered.

As Ciel told the others what they wanted to know, May ignored the entire explanation.

She didn?t need to hear it in all honesty. Just the thought of those days was like reliving a full-length nightmare.
------------------
(Flashback)

[I don?t need to hear words on things I already lived through?Ever since I was young enough to remember all I?d hear from my parents or neighbors was what remarkable trainers they were. It?s not like I wasn?t proud or anything but?]

(May at three years old playing in a sandbox)

?My, she?s precious!? One woman squeals. ?A spitting image of her Mother!?

Another woman agrees. ?She looks like a feisty one. She?ll make a great trainer!?

The third woman of the group kneels down to talk to the quiet 3-year-old. ?Hello little one.? The woman began in the sweetest of tones. ?You know you?re making your parents proud and become a top-notch trainer like how they are. I bet you already knew that.?

[How could they expect me to live up to title I hardy understood nor cared to be apart of. I was my own person, I had my own dreams?My own hopes?And all I wanted was a little support?]

(May at four years old talking to her parents)

?What do you mean you?re not sure of what to be when you grow up May?? May?s father Norman blurts out shocked. ?You?re going to be a strong trainer.?

?But, I don?t wanna?I want to be something with a future like a doctor, a human doctor!?

Mrs. Hiromi takes her child words as phase and treats it as such. ?Now May you?re just being reluctant??

?But I?m not!?

?This conversation is over young lady!!? Norman yells. ?How can you amount to anything in life if you don?t follow this families calling!!?

[What calling! Playing with stupid monsters all day! That?s not what I wanted! In fact whatever I did I was forced into it!]

(May at five years old teary eyed at a bus stop)

?Don?t cry May.? Mrs. Hiromi attempts to hush her sniffling daughter. ?This trainer?s camp will be a great way for you to truly understand Pokemon.?

?You?ll be having so much fun you?ll forget all your worries.? Norman smiles widely.

[Heh. Forget my current worries you mean?That ?camp? was in reality was a ploy for unknown underground group known as Cipher. Taking me and all their other victims to one of their secret training camps located in the Southern Islands I endured two long years of hell. There, we were trained beyond our mental and physical limits to not only are able to leech out a Pokemons true strength to make them into merciless killers but to become the ultimate army of assassins. It was there I witnessed some of the most gruesome style of battles to be ever put on this planet?]

Two Cipher peons call out their Eevee both looking very ravenous and blood thirsty. The two rabid monsters maul at each other mercilessly splattering blood all over the place. Eventually, one Eevee sunk its fangs deep into the others throat permanently stopping it. Many children cried. May on the other hand was horrified. Stepping back in fear May trips over a power cord disabling the electric barrier that separated the humans from the arena.

The Eevee, smelling May?s fear runs up to sink its teeth into her but is quickly shot down by a near-by Grunt.

A very muscular man with a fiery red mane for hair and was adorned in nothing but a white bodysuit slaps May very hard.

?Stupid brat!? The dead-ringer for a Dragon Ball Z character scolds the girl before stomping her. ?We warned you to not show fear and stay put! Pay attention to your orders!!

[In comparison to the other times they disciplined me That was only a love tap. Aside from the bone breaking labor the Cipher doctors also used us kids as guinea pigs to test their untested drugs. Since all the older children were already treated as guinea pigs in their sick experiments it was only a matter of time before my age group received our ?seal of approval? to run testing on.]

?Stop struggling you little wretch!? A Cipher Peon growls as he puts his foot on May?s head.

Another Peon grins. ?Just think you?re soon to become one of Cipher?s super elite?I actually feel kinda of jealous?It?ll be you guys who get to waste nobodies like Giovanni and those hippies in Hoenn. Now stay down girly.?

The Peon then pulls up his heated rod heated rod.

May?s screams are heard throughout the base.

[I was branded?I still and forever will have that ugly mark on my back. That day?twenty kids from my cell died since they couldn?t take the agonizing pain?What kept me alive?nothing?I was pretty much dead since I was born?]

May lies on the cold floor of her cell. What her eyes remained tacked on was a teddy bear once cherished by one of her now slain cellmates?A twinge of rage flickered in the young girl?s eyes.

[From that point on. I didn?t care. I did what I was ordered Dealing with Dakim?s brutal training regime, enduring the pain of Ein?s god forsaken drugs and taking whatever beating my superiors would give me?It didn?t matter. All what they taught me will soon bring about their corpuses, I?d figure they could figure out their follies in hell.]

[It was at this time that Ein created a new untested type of serum that was suppose to ?raise the adrenaline rate? of it users by ten-fold. Since my group was hardly used for crap like drug testing, Ein felt it wise to try it out on those who weren?t as tainted. The side effects were bad?Most of my cellmates died from heavy seizures or massive internal bleeding. The rest of us who were lucky just became savage, blood thirsty beasts. In all honesty I don?t remember too much of my actions whenever the serums influence took hold of me?.]

May?s eyes go feral while foams at the mouth. She rabidly tries to break down the bars holding her.

[Finally Ciphers secret base was exposed by a combined effort of all the regional governments. There I was reunited with those thoughtless bastards called my parents.]

?May!? Mrs. Hiromi shouts happily, giving her emotionless daughter a hug huge. ?Oh god May I?m so sorry??
The woman sobs full of guilt for her neglect. What grabs her attention is the fact her daughter didn?t react whatsoever. ?m-May don?t you recognize me? It?s me! Mommy!! May please listen!!? The woman pleas before having an idea. ?Wait! If you don?t remember me then do you at least remember little Sheepy??

Mrs. Hiromi takes out her Pokeball and releases Sheepy the Mareep. Sheepy playfully walks up to May and nuzzles her.

May, her face still expressionless began to softly run her fingers through Sheepy?s wool. It was at that moment that a spark of life ran through her eyes showing: warmth, anger, and then finally before going feral hate.

::SNAP::

Mrs. Hiromi watched on in horror as May snaps Sheepy?s neck instantly killing it.

The monstrous little child then turns her attention to her Mom.

??all this for those pitiful creatures that you revered as gods?Yet you see, they?re mortal and can die?just like you?re about to!?

May ravenously lunges at Mrs. Hiromi until Norman appears in the nic of time and injects a sedative in her May?s neck.

The girl quickly falls to the ground while under going a minor seizure, her eyes rolled back into her head, while her nose started bleed.

?WHY!?? Mrs. Hiromi screams at Norman full of shock and rage. ?WHY DID YOU DO THAT!! THIS FAULT WAS OURS!!! WE DESERVE TO DIE NOT MAY!!? The woman?s eyes swell with tears while quivering weakly. ?not my little girl?I don?t want to lose another child??

Though trying to keep his composure, Norman was doing a poor job of it. The man quickly showed his grieving wife the needle.
?Inside was an antidote to counteract the effects of the serum?She?s only suffering from the side effects right now?she will be ok? However,? Norman continues. ?Ivan isn?t sure how strong the serum is the antidote may take years to fully work?

Hearing this Mrs. Hiromi broke into even greater sobs. The only thing Norman could do was comfort his heart-broken wife.

The proud man, sometimes even known as the Battle maniac could only look over to his suffering daughter full of guilt mutter what it sounds like ?Sorry??

[I returned home with my parents. But due to the effects of both the serum and the antidote which fought fiercely for supremacy in of body I couldn?t be trusted to be alone or with anyone besides them?Heh, after all I was now dubbed the demon child. So I basically spent my days at home with mostly my Mom there.]

[At Nine, even I began to notice simmering attitude, it looks as though the antidote was finally kicking in?but at heavy price?I became too simmered. I didn?t want to go anywhere. I learned that I was progressing into a vegetative state; a state where I was not really dead but not really alive. Those people who called themselves my parents started to stay by my side often at that point?especially the woman?my Mother?]

Mrs. Hiromi enters May?s room to see her lying on her bed showing little signs of life. After chocking a little sob Mrs. Hiromi walks up to her daughter and hold her hand.

?May I-I truly don?t know how to tell you this?but this is all truly our fault?We just had so much hopes and expectations that we thought we could never accomplish and push them into you with out even a second thought of what your feelings were?Our obsession lead to you ending up where you are now?? The woman squeezes May?s hand tighter while droplets of water fall on them.
?Your father may not show it like me but he feels even worse than I do?He can?t look at you properly without bursting into tears or wanting to feed that strong desire to kill himself?The pain is just too much to bear?May I know we don?t deserve it but please give us a second chance!?
??We had a child before you know?? The curly haired brunette sniffles, making an even tighter squeeze on her child hands. ??and we lost her in a Pokemon gang related incident. When you were born, everyday you reminded me and you?re father of little Mattie but it wasn?t until when we?re about to truly lose you due to our own delusions that we realized how equally important you are!? Tears roll down the guilt-stricken Mother?s cheek uncontrollably. ?May?please don?t leave me?I?m tired of seeing my loved ones die?I-I?ve seen it enough in my life! I can?t take another!?

Though it the touch was hardly felt. Mrs. Hiromi could feel the light touch of May?s hand returning her hold.

Mrs. Hiromi stops for a moment and hugs her daughter, sobbing into her shoulders. The sparks of life slowly but surly returns in May?s eyes as tears slowly begin to form into them.

(End Flashback)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

May snaps back into reality to see Brendan, Max and Laurel all staring at her rather sympathetically. May didn?t need this, she knew by telling Brendan worse off his friends about her life they?d treat her differently?she wasn?t sure how but if it was like her days in Violet City where she was shunned, harassed and treated with such animosity that people actually wanted to deny her right to live?Then there was only one mode of escape to turn to?her hate?

?Heh heh heh? I have to give you hicks credit?You finally dug under my skin long enough to learn my dark little secret?So, what now? Are you gonna call me names or just skip that throw rocks at me?? May?s eyes quickly become feral as she eyes the group venomously. ?Whichever your decision is. Make it fast!?

?May?? Laurel and Alia mummer in hushed voices.

?Chi?? Tsunami sympathetically calls to her Trainer.

?Time out!? Max yells as he raises both his hands into the air. ?We don?t wanna hurt you! But maybe we can help you?if you let us that is!?

May distrustfully backs away from them.

Brendan determinedly walks up to May, his expression full of guilt and sympathy. Grabbing May?s right hand, Brendan then places it on his cheek and with his own hand guiding hers slid it down to his neck, which May promptly began to squeeze.

?Brendan!!? Max and Laurel cry out in horror.

He was in pain. But that couldn?t match the type of pain that May was going through he thought. ?May?this was all my fault?I should be the one to suffer! I always had this childish belief that friends could tell each other anything despite how sad or weird it was?cough! But were not feeling sorry because we want to?We do this because we care about you!? May?s hold on Brendan?s throat gets tighter but the boy doesn?t back down. ?Ngk! A-and Aughh!?

May realizes what her hate is consuming her enough to do ?Brendan!? She gasps as she suddenly suffers from nausea and falls to the ground vomiting. ?I?I don?t deserve you??

Brendan kneels to May and softly caresses her cheek. ?I know?but you have me anyway.?

Tsunami, Ragnarok and others all give a relived sigh. If Ciel could cry she would.

??Well if we ever needed a negotiator in times of crisis we can always send Brendan.? Alia sighs quite relived. The others agree.

Laurel shook her head at the realization of such happenings. ?It?s hard to believe that such evil exists in the world?and all this time I just thought May was a naturally pessimistic person like Brendan?s Mom??

?Nope.? Max shook his head. Just as disgusted by what he learned. ?People like that exists all over?And that?s why so many fight desperately to stop them.?

Brendan gritted his teeth as he rubbed May?s back. ?This is sick?? He growls mentally. ?So because of those monsters May is a walking time bomb! I won?t forgive them! I?ll personally hunt them down if I have to! And I bet May is thinking the same thing?thus explaining her link to Tsunami?no better yet?her inescapable ties to Pokemon??

End Part 1
------------
For those who were confused about May?s erratic character I hope this story counter sorted things out for you.
Why Cipher? You ask? Well put it this way?All-criminal organizations all take years even decades to finally rise to power. Capturing May and other children under the guise of a ?training camp? could be the best way to grab moldable recruits. Also, aside from Team Rocket in the Pokemon Special manga Team Snagem and the Cipher group had to be the most actually evil baddies to ever grace the Pokemon world?.

 

[Breezy]

I've seen this at ff.net! =P Ah, okay anyways . . .

Before we begin though, as soon as I read chapter two, I was reminded of that one Pok?mon comic . . . Mmm, can't remember which one but I do know that a few jokes from there were thrown in there.

And now let's start. ^^

Well I've gotta say that I love how you created the personalities for seemingly unknown characters (particulary Brendan seeing as he only had a cameo -_-) and May's mixture of her manga and anim? counterpart is quite . . . interesting. Interesting story of her past btw and how she didn't want to be a trainer and such.

I love how you put personality in this fic instead of just slapping down facts (like I did *cough* ^^; Tis so much better then my sucky chapters of HLBMA btw). Mrs. Birch just cracks me up. XD

Somethings in the first chapter bugged me though. Such as:

Figuring that Machoke?s aren?t the smartest of creatures May hops off the drawer and is greeted by her mother. ?May!? May?s cheerful mother greeted ?Welcome to our new home!?

You use past tense and present tense a whole bunch of times but choosing present tense but even then, there are a few mistakes between past tense and present. Gotta keep them parallel basically.

?City slicker?? Mrs. Hiromi mutters while giving May a ?? look.

Seeing as you only used this in the first chapter, I'll won't go all ranty on this but using faces like "o_O" or "^_^" in the story isn't one of the greatest things to do . . . Symbols just don't look right in stories plus the fact that readers would rather, well, read what the expression looks like then have them symbols. =P

Plotwise, its seems thought out well and is different from the many Ru/Sa run-offs at ff.net. ^_^

Not particulary fond of how you switched from writing in story format to script format in the flashback but I suppose it was mainly to get inside May's head

Mood . . . somewhat dark with a hint of a sarcastic edge. Cool fun stuff. ^_^

Spelling/grammar/conventions were fine except for the occassional missing comma but that's prolly 'cause I end up reading it weird anyways.

On a smaller note, try to limit the use of author notes or at least wait till the end of the chapter instead of interrupted the story. Author notes tend to snap the reader out of the fic.

So overall, I'm looking forward to this fic and I wish that I did wish I read it at ff.net . . . but now I have a chance. ^^; (erm, not that I didn't read part of it anyways).

LaTeR dAyZ!

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Breezy: Thanks, I've been trying (and failed) to pinpoint my flaws for a long while now. You have a really good point about face gestures and Notes. I will attempt to avoid/fix them at all cost now. The script part to explain May's past was infact on-purpose. I didn't know any better descrpitive way to get into her head. But In flashbacks I usually go with story format...I was just stuck that time.
As far as my comma placement and tense uses goes...I was never too good with that in all honesty I always found myself working around those problems. But that's no excuse. I'm just going to have to really sit down and read my work from now on...
----------------------
Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else
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(3 weeks later)

Mrs. Hiromi sadly cuts some vegetables.

?Mom, I?m home!? May calls out to her mother.

Mrs. Hiromi was too lost in own thought to even realize her daughter?s arrival until she cuts herself. ?Ouch!? She yelps, quickly putting her injured finger in her mouth to soothe the pain. ?Oh?May I didn?t even see you come in??

?? How about I make dinner tonight?? May offers.

Mrs. Hiromi nodded solemnly.

Dinner at the table was quiet between the Hiromi females, neither saying anything.

?You?re becoming a better cook.? Mrs. Hiromi compliments as she goes to wash the dishes.

May, who was still eating addresses her Mother again. ?I got the dishes too. It?s my night anyway?Why don?t you watch some TV??

And that?s what Mrs. Hiromi did. For some reason, she realized when looking at her daughter quietly washing the dishes she wanted to burst into tears?

The problem was, she couldn?t put her foot on why.
---------------
(LittleRoot Town 5am)
(May?s room)

May dressed herself in her Crimson Fighter attire minus the scarf making any and all finishing touches to whatever she was doing.

Tsunami the Torchic groggily stood on her left leg watching her partner burn away the midnight oil. The Chic Pokemon straightens herself slightly when she noticed May turning to her.

?Ok, Tsu you?d better get used to your new room.? May recalls Tsunami into her Pokeball, and then stuffs her Pokedex Alia into her pocket.

?So May?? Alia asks reassuringly. ?Everything all set? Nothing to turn back for?? May puts her duffel bag around her right shoulder. ?No?Let?s go.?

The girl quietly walks through the hallway and then slowly takes a peek at her slumbering mom. ?Bye Mom??
---------------
Chapter 4 part 2- Torrents and Cleptos
---------------
May leaves her home and is greeted by Laurel, who waited for her by the door.

?Hey Laurel, I appreciate it.?

?No problem May. My family makes me do the milk delivery run all the way to Oldale.? Laurel explains with a smile. ?So I would?ve been up anyway? I kinda envy you though... Getting to go on a Pokemon Journey and you got quite a long trainers leave.?

?Well I kinda owe it to the Prof.?

?And your grades helped a bit too.? The purple haired girl giggles before looking at May in a more serious note. ?Well, let us not waste anymore time!?

Laurel begins to tot her wheel barrel full of Miltank milk down the Route. May simply stares at the seemingly petite-looking farm girl in awe.

?Need help with that??

?Nah, I do this all the time.?
----------------
(Oldale Town)

?Whoa!? May gasps as she picks up a nugget. ?Who would leave a nugget lying about freely like this? Don?t they know how much it?s worth when selling?? May then picks up another.

?Well Hoenn is known for it?s lush golden bounds!? Laurel giggles. ?Oh wow! Look I found one too! And here?s another and- May! Isn?t this lucky were in the middle of nugget harvest!? Laurel then gestures to all the nuggets lying about and attempts to pick them all up.

This suddenly didn?t sit too well with chestnut haired girl. ?Hey, doesn?t this seem a little too convenient to you??

Laurel gestures her right hand to May in a type of ?shooing? style. ?You city folk are way too distrusting. May, this is a blessing from sacred creatures such as Lugia and Ho-oh!?

?No this reeks of a trap!? May counters. Within moments the girl sees something peering at them in the corner of her eyes and quickly throws her Pokeball to take care of the menace. ?Tsunami! Ember!?

Tsunami attacks in the direction May points at, revealing a now crispy sophisticated looking old man.

Suddenly May, Laurel and Tsunami were surround by what it seems the entire town.

?Ah-ha! We caught the thief red handed!? One man yells as he pops out from behind a house.

?No wonder why we had such a problem getting them they weren?t fast there was just more than one of these little brats!? Another man growls.

May quickly sweatdrops. ??Wait! You think we?re thieves just because we picked nuggets off the floor?! Any person with the sense to know how much these rocks are worth would also pick ?em up!?

?Ha! I?d put it in the Police station!? The Shopkeeper lies.

?Were telling the truth!? Laurel pleas. ?We just came in from LittleRoot. I?m a milk delivery girl!?

An old man growls at this statement. ?Lies! What have you done to innocent Laurel!?

?But Mr. Green? It is me! Put on your glasses.?

The old man named Mr. Green puts on his specks to see the girl wasn?t lying. ?By I live and breathe! It is Laurel! What would your parents think if they heard you turned into a hooligan like this city girl there!?

?Hooligan?? May thinks through a physical face fault, but addresses the rather stupid people none-the-less. ?Are you people listening to yourselves??

?I say we cuff the little devils! And let ?em rot in jail for so long they wished they never been born.? One woman screams.

?But we didn?t! You have to believe us. Or at least hear our side of the story!? Laurel tried to reason.

?Begging for mercy now that you got caught?!? One man growls at Laurel. ?No chance!?

The man slaps Laurel quite heavily in the face, causing her to crash into her wheel barrel.

When the man was about to stomp at Laurel, May runs up to the man and punches him heavily in his chest. The man coughs up some blood on impact of May?s attack before hitting the ground groaning in pain. The citizens of Oldale stepped back in slight fear of May?s strength. That is, before realizing their numbers thus, boldly advanced towards her.

The Shopkeeper points her finger accusingly at May. ?That was proof! Look at those murderous tendencies! The girl is a monster! She has to be the thief!?

?No this just proves she was trying to defend her friend!? Officer Jenny yells from afar as she and three other cops run to the scene. ?Ok what is going on here?!?

A random woman with red hair snorts arrogantly as she faced the beautiful young cop. ?We were just did what you paid to do nothing cops can never do! We caught the Oldale Kleptos.? The woman then gives May a nasty glare. ?Just look at that one?she has savage written all over her! Something that should be kept in a zoo not training Pokemon.?

Officer Jenny was as disgusted as she was appalled by the sick behavior being given towards the child. But she had to up hold the peace. Even though punching that rude woman out felt quite tempting?

?No!? The lovely female officer yells in a commanding tone. ?What I see is civilians taking the law into their own hands! Breaking into the town?s bank, stealing the town?s supply of nuggets and setting a ridiculous trap that any passerby or unsuspecting trainer would fall for!?

?Yeah you tell ?em boss? Officer Dullahan goads as he picks up as much nuggets as he can. ?Me and the boys will? Drop these off at the station! For evidence reasons??

?Why so you can add more undeserving cash into your pockets?? The Shopkeeper growls as she tries to take the nuggets from him. ?Besides, those are my nuggets you?re taking thief!?

Officer Brady quickly steps behind the unruly Shopkeeper and cuffs her. ?I?m sorry Miss, but you?re assaulting an Officer. Gonna have to take you in...?

?Ack! My clean record!?

?Hey that?s police brutality! C?mon People Defy authority!!? A hippy-like fellow growls as he starts to sing the ?We?re not gonna take it anymore? lines.

This was getting out of hand. Officer Jenny tries to do what she can to quell the rabble rousing, but to no avail.

?Shove off!? The crispy old man demands. ?As Mayor I officiated this plan!?

Officer Jenny grits her teeth. ?You are not above the law Mayor!?

?You sure about that?? He challenges. Before he could continue talking down to the female Officer, he sees Mr. Green shuffling around the nugget supply, stuffing some of the shiny yellow rocks into his pockets. ?You! Stay away from my nuggets now!!?

Mr. Green scowls. ?Oh really? Well, I could?ve sworn that these were the same twenty nuggets you swindled me out off with your taxes on the elderly! Ya cheat! For all we know you could be the thief.?

?You already are one in office!? An old woman agrees.

The people all begin to argue amongst each other as tensions rise. It wasn?t too long until a full-scale riot broke out.

May, Laurel, Tsunami and Officer Jenny all stood a good distance away from the brawl, watching the entire scene with blank expressions.

Before either female knew it, a white News van quickly drove right into the scene and out of it comes the ever popular one woman show: News Reporter Gabby and her loyal Cameraman Ty.

?Good Morning Hoenn! It?s your favorite news reporter Gabby! And I?m located live in what was supposed most peaceful Town of the Year caught in the middle of the biggest brawl ever seen!? Gabby moves from camera to show the girls turning to her blankly. ?I?m standing here with Officer Jenny who stands idly during this blood stained situation. Officer Jenny your thoughts on this??

Failure is something that the Jenny family never tolerated?

This truth was what made the usually proud, always in control Officer Jenny? broke into tears? ?Oh what?s the point? I slave and work dedicatedly for these ungrateful slobs and this is what I get?! ? I quit!? Officer Jenny screams at the top of her lungs as she rips off her badge from her uniform and storms away with whatever dignity she felt she had left.

?Well that was interesting!? Gabby reports before turning to May and Laurel. ?Now I ask: Is anybody gonna think of the children??

May simply shook her head in a very exasperated manner.

Laurel on the other hand had never dealt with such a situation before. As a result she too, burst into tears. ?H-hello Mom! I?m sooo sorry!?
Not wanting to shame her family Laurel attempts the family slogan. ?w-Well everyone for the best milk or-or silk or whatever sniffle around come o-on over to Windsprite Ranch. sniffle wehavethebeststuffsaround!? The girl then cries loudly. ?T-try for yourself? Laurel quickly gives Gabby a glass of Miltank milk and hands to Ty the cameraman.

?Wow this milk is great! These Miltank must have been very well raised and given an amazing diet! I never tasted milk so good.? Gabby continues to drink some more milk until some random guy taps her shoulder.

?My milk!?

?Like hell it is!? Gabby growls as she punches him out. ?Don?t mess with Gabby when she?s drinking her precious cow juice!? Gabby stomps on the guy where the sun doesn?t shine once as a warning message.

As Gabby continued to drink her milk another guy walks up to Ty. ?Nice camera?

Ty gives a proud nod. ?Yup high-tech news camera. Very up to date.?

?Yeah kinda like the camera I had before it was stolen thief!? The guy accuses as he punches out Ty and then jumps on him.

May and Tsunami share an exasperated sigh as they continue to watch the entire situation.

In the corner of her eyes, Tsunami could see a very quick brown moving figure stealthily grabbing a few nearby nuggets and passing back into the shadows as quickly as he came. This quirks makes the Chick Pokemon curiosity, forcing her to pursue it.

May, though not what?s with Tsunami follows suite anyway grabbing the sobbing Laurel along with her.

The escape wasn?t left unnoticed though.

?Wait a minute?? A Skinny dude tries to plea to the town before a really buff dude punched him in the face. ?Wait a minute!? He pleas in a more fearful manner as he gets hit from behind with a chair by a little girl ?WAIT A MINUTE!!? He screams getting everyone?s attention. ?Why are we fighting each other when we could be fighting the enemy? Who?s getting away!!!?

An old woman in army clothing quickly pulls out a huge capture net and successfully grabs the girls, minus Tsunami who quickly averted the net and continued to pursue the figure.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
--------------------------
?Look we didn?t do anything!? May argues as she tried to shake the prison bars ?You didn?t have to help yourselves to our belongings either!!?

?Forget it May?? Laurel sniffles. ?We?re stuck here?Boy, was I dumb?believing in such things?they didn?t even hear us out??

?So you finally escaped that protective little world called your home and got to see the world for what it truly is?? May replies to Laurel dryly before continuing. ?Now all of the sudden the world is a nasty, horrible place and you wanna die?With an attitude like that you probably should!?

A twinge of anger erupted in Laurel?s features as she turned to May with a dirty look. But the moment Laurel made eye contact with the chestnut haired girl she notices that she had nothing but softened eyes.

?We have to get out of here and find the real thief. Otherwise more and more people with be thrown in jail?? May spoke softly as she gestures to Ty, Mr. Green and Guy who defies the law; each too deluged in their own feelings right now to care for escape.

Considering this for the moment, Laurel gains some inner strength and walks to May. ?You?re a real wench.? She giggles. May counters with a simple little grin.

The two girls began to search the walls for a way out.

?Psst! Over here!? Gabby called to May and Laurel from outside the jail.

?Gabby?? Ty weakly mummers with a voice full of distance.

Gabby ignores her cameraman?s over dramatic attitude and continues to address the two girls. ?Don?t worry, I?m on your side! There is more to this situation than meets the eye. Just step back.?

May and Laurel didn?t have a choice, they did what the eccentric reporter said. Shortly after they moved a car being driven by former Officer Jenny rammed through the wall. ?Ok! Everyone out! You?re all free!?

Guy who defies the law skips outside as he happily breathes in the fresh air as he breaks into song. Mr. Green quickly puts an end to it shoving the law disobeyer forward.

Gabby now turns to May. ?We found your little friend too!? She smiles as she lets go of Tsunami who happily jumps to May.

?Ok good were out?? Ty states. ?But now we?re wanted criminals and have to prove our innocence somehow.?

?Don?t be quick to judge!? Gabby snaps. ?It?ll come to us.?

?It?? Laurel queries.

Gabby holds up a nugget that quickly disappears before the group?s eyes. The next thing they all realize was being knocked to their rears by quick light jabs.

?Not funny?? May growls as she rubbed her rear very annoyed.

Appearing before them was a Zigzagoon. In his mouth was May?s Pokedex.

The A.I. Travel companion was quite irritated since the start of this whole mess and was nowhere near relaxed about this little predicament.

Laurel gives a surprised look. ?So all this time a Pokemon was the thief??

?What an amazing scoop!? Gabby proclaims as stars glittered in her eyes. ?A kleptomaniac Pokemon??

?But what would a Pokemon need with money and junk?? Ty asked very confused about the whole situation.

?Does it really need a reason?? May answers. ?All I know is that it has Alia and I want her back furball!?

The Zigzagoon smirks and kicks up a Sand Attack and tries to make a run for it only to bounce back to those it attempted to flee from, thanks to a wall of silk.

?Good job Wurmple cover the entire area with String Shot so he can?t run anywhere?? Laurel compliments her silk worm Pokemon before addressing May. ?Ok, May you and Tsunami could so the rest??

May gives a little nod as she then focuses her attention on the Raccoon Pokemon. ?Like it or not thief! You?re gonna stand and fight! Tsunami Ember!?

Tsunami shoots tiny little fireballs at her opponent, who quickly dodges the attack and tackles Tsunami from behind.

Rather than let Tsunami hit the ground, Zigzagoon kept tackling her from many different directions treating the chick Pokemon like a ping-pong ball.

?I can hardly keep up with its speed!? Jenny proclaims in a frustrated manner.

?Are getting all this?? Gabby desperately asked her Cameraman who simply comments: ?I-I?m trying!?

Tsunami falls to the ground hard after Zigzagoon uses the silk wall as a spring to gain momentum for his mid-air tackle.
As Tsunami gets up in a daze she?s immediately rammed into the closest wall by the very speedy raccoon monster.

Tsunami, feeling pretty frustrated, blindly began to use Ember in every possible direction. Only to be used as a living Ping pong ball by the Zigzagoon again.

?May this is bad!? Jenny addresses the girl. ?Tsunami doesn?t have the speed parameters to win this! She?s getting pummeled!?

May looked pretty strained at the moment. Laurel noticed this and looked and prayed that nothing similar to the last time occurs.

?Come on focus! Keep your eyes on the battle?mustn?t give in?? May mentally critiques herself through clenched teeth and fist. ??Mustn?t give in to it?.?

May?s eyes slowly become feral but snaps back to normal when she actually notices the lack of stamina from the Zigzagoon and all the bruises on its body.

May was unsure at first, but she really started to see the Zigazgoon?s pattern due to it?s slower than usual movement. ?I got it! May screams aloud as she turned to her Pokemon. ?Tsu! Just close your eyes and stand there! Don?t let its hits bother you! Just trust me!?

Tsunami was confused by her trainer?s request, but she was desperate. Tsunami stood there while painfully taking all of the Zigzagoon?s hits.

Over time Tsunami started to realize what May was saying. With her eyes open she just kept imagining the Zigzagoon?s speed, becoming intimidated by it.
The swift movement made her think his hits actually hurt allowing herself to get dizzy which truly resulted in the real damage.

Now with her eyes closed she had to rely on her other senses. And this allowed her to memorize her foe?s seeable pattern.

?Behind you! Scratch at full power!!?

?I don?t need you tell me that!? Tsunami mentally grumbles.

Tsunami jumps over the Zigzagoon and comes down with a strong scratch attack. This act immediately knocks the actually petite Zigzagoon to the ground. Causing all its stolen items including Alia to fall from his fur.

?I have to do this eventually!? May grumbles as she pulls out an empty Pokeball. ?You?re mine!?

May throws the Pokeball. The Pokemon is quickly captured. May and Tsunami both sigh in relief and fall to the floor.

?Not bad May?? Jenny compliments while clapping.

?You did it!? Laurel happily jumps.

Gabby was the most excited of all as she runs in front of May who quickly sweatdrops. ?Awesome! Awesome!! Awesome!!! That?s what I call real Pokemon battling! I can?t wait to air all of this on tonight?s TV show! You got some real talent Kid.?

?May, my name is May?also I owe it all to Laurel, if it wasn?t for her and Wurmple, Tsu and I never would?ve even be able to fight??

?May?? Laurel replies softly as she gives a sheepish blush.
-----------------
(Even later that day)

?That explains a lot.? May states.

?Yes,? Alia matter of factly replies. ?This Pokemon has a Hasty Personality. Thus, it has a higher than normal speed rating but at the same time has horrible physical abilities.? Alia shows May a new screen, which reveals the Zigzagoon?s status. ?This Zigzagoon to be honest, has a lower than usual attack and defense rating but a higher than usual speed rating.?

Laurel considers this for the moment. ?Oh, so that explains why he took so much more damage than Tsu did from every attack he launched.?

?So in other terms?? May confirms. ?It?s all flight and no fight??

?The perfect Pokemon to run jewel heists right?? Officer Jenny who got her job back replies from behind. ?That Zigzagoon was one of the many Zigzagoon that me and my boys confiscated a year back from a masked jewel thief. Some did escape though?and here one was.?
The officer gave May a content look before finishing her words. ?May, I?m glad you actually chose to fight on our side for once rather than be an outlaw?I was afraid I might have to turn you in.?

?I thought everyone knew that May was the Crimson Fighter?I mean it was so obvious.? Laurel matter-of-factly states as she giggles.

?Says you farm girl. I put real thought into that disguise!? May scoffs as she the turns her attention to the Zigzagoon who happily wags his tail at her. ?It?s insanely weak?but fast??

?Aww! How cute it likes you!? Officer Jenny teases.

May considers this for a moment before coming to her decision. ?Hmm...alright...from this day forward You shall for forever be dubbed Whirlpool.?

Whirlpool the Zigzagoon happily jumps up and down. The petite raccoon quickly runs behind May as he sees the Mayor and the rest of the town approach them.

Being the supposed leader of the town, the Mayor speaks for the people.

?RAhem Miss May, little Laurel and of course our dear Officer Jenny?? Officer Jenny throws them all a dirty look as she shooed them away. ?I believed you people showed your true colors enough for one day thank you!?

?But we?re truly sorry for what we caused!? The woman with red hair attempts to reason.

Officer Jenny scowls at the people and then points to May and Laurel. ?Then, thank them! Though, I doubt they?d wanna hear your sob stories.?

Jenny was right. May and Laurel completely ignored the people. Too engrossed in their own little goodbyes to truly care about those hypocrites.

?Here May I want you to have this. Two free gallons of Miltank milk all in an anti-spoil container. You sure you can carry it??

May easily lifts the item and places in her duffel bag.

?Gee, City kids can be strong if they want to be?? Laurel teases before getting a bit more serious. ?Well May? I guess this is where you continue on your journey and where I head home.?

?Thanks Laurel?Look don?t say a word to my Mom about this?I-I guess I?m just tired of-?

?No worries?? Laurel cuts the chestnut haired girl off. ?Good luck! And I hope you find what you?re trying to obtain! So, hurry up and mosey along before I get all watery eyed!?

May nods and with Tsunami the Torchic on her left shoulder and Whirlpool the Zigzagoon resting on her head. May sets off to Petalburg city?and her father?

?Wait?my Rolex is gone?? The Mayor notices.

?That?s funny?? Officer Jenny replies. ?So is my locket??

The whole town starts to realize that there missing something. May?s voice is heard from afar as she bellows. ?WHIRLPOOL!!!!!?

Laurel gives a little chuckle as she speaks aloud. ?If anything, May is going to have one interesting adventure.?

End Chapter 4
-------------------
(Notes)

Oh ho! So it looks as though May decided to break the rules of her already contradicting principles and pack up for a journey?
Why would she do it you ask? Well, it?s not much of a story unless we get the protagonist to do something?No really, there?s a lot of reason why May would decide to go do this. (One reason is put in the next Chapter and more throughout the story)

The best reasons I could tell you without spoiling anything is the serum. Though a counter was made, it can only do so much.
That?s the positively main reason May is doing this: She wants to seek out someone who has a better understanding of the serum and hope to really have her full self under control. Of course, May must realize better than us that the people who understand the serum best are the creators. (So one would say this could all be for naught?Unless she really thinks she could sniff out an underground syndicate, none-the-less is prepared for one hell of a fight.)

Another good non-spoiler reason I could give you for May?s wanting to do this is most likely a bit of guilt and self-loathing.
Deep down the girl must feel if she didn?t act so stubborn about her family?s tradition she?d never end up in Cipher?s hands. Most likely May?s overly self-righteous attitude felt she should atone for her stupidity and see how things could?ve been if she just said ?Fine?

As for the Zigzagoon's name...I had an original once but change it...Since Whirlpools (if I remember correctly are endless spirals...The Zigzagoon's little "problem" sorta suits this I guess...
------------------
Come next Chapter May will dress the way she does in the Game, anime and manga (minus the leaf getup)
Next- Chapter 5- Green Greens

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else.
---------------

(Petalburg City)
(Location: A House by the edge of town. Mailbox says ?Reynolds?)

A sickly looking boy about the age of eleven slowly opens his door and leers back and forth.

When the situation in the outside world looked acceptable enough, the boy quickly bolted out of the house running at top speed.

?Ok, I live at the edge of town and I have to make it to the Gym before Mag and Ross find me?and kick my a-? The boy stops short in his run as he pants desperately for air ?Why did Mr. Norman?s Gym have to be in the middle of town!?

?Hello little Wally!? Parasol Lady Jill greets. ?You look horrible!?

The boy named Wally nods politely to the adult. ?Cough Cough! Hello Miss. Silbermintz?I?m fine just needed a breathe of fresh air.?

Parasol lady Jill gives Wally a concerned look as she hands him her pink parasol. ?Wally, we all know of your sickness so stop trying to be so brave for us dear. I?m not really sure what your illness is I bet those nasty UV rays have something to do with it. Or is it bad asthma?? The woman shrugs it off and gives a wide smile for the frail boy. ?Anyway Wally?take better care of yourself you know how worry some your parents are for you. Take care!?

The cheerful woman then makes her leave. Wally stares at the pretty pink parasol in a brooding fashion.

?Oh great?now I?m a walking death sign that says beat me up?" Wally sighs. "Why does fate hate me so??
---------------------
Chapter 5- Green Greens
----------------------
(Petalburg Gym)

?What!? May Hiromi screams at her father Norman Hiromi. ?Whatdaya mean you won?t fight me! You?re a Gym Leader after all!?

?Well yes,? Norman agrees solemnly. ?But me fighting you wouldn?t even be considered a battle?It?d be massacre.?
Norman, still half surprised half proud that his daughter?s living in the family tradition still questions her none-the-less. ?May, what are the current levels of all your Pokemon??

?My Torchic, Tsunami is Level 13. While my Zigzagoon named Whirlpool is Level 11.?

Norman frowns disapprovingly at his daughter?s small number of in-party Pokemon. ?Only two Pokemon!? May, double the number of your Torchic and you?ll get the level of my weakest in-training Pokemon?Better yet? I?ll just show you. Vigoroth! Come out!?

A Vigoroth pops out of Norman?s Pokeball. May quickly uses Alia to scan her would be foe.

?Err?THAT?S his weakest monster?? Alia stutters. May pales. ?Level 34...Yeah I wonder what?s his strongest??

?So I guess I underestimated my Partners strength.? Norman gives a smug little shrug. ?But either way I could easily waste you May. Waste you like no tomorrow and eat my ramen at the same time!?

?Wow Father, I?m surprised by you?re oh so great maturity level on the matter??

Norman was totally oblivious to what May meant and that?s why he cockily confirmed. ?I know. I?m the best. Anyway?? Norman then takes a more serious note. ?But aside from that I?m Gym Leader number five in the line of eight. You should go to Rustburo City and meet with a nice girl named Roxanne. She?s not only a Gym leader, but she?s only FIFTEEN!? Just to make sure his daughter goes to the Gym; Norman flashes May a sly look. ?She could give you some important pointers as you battle her.?

?Hmph. She doesn?t sound so great, more like a show-off if you ask me. But if I have to face some stuck-up brat first then so be it.?

?Heh. I figured as much. You have Hiromi blood coursing through your veins. Speaking of family?? Norman remembers. ?Your mother sent me this package to give to you.?

May accepted the package from her father. Along with the huge package was a letter marked: ?To my chibi sourpuss.? May attended to the letter first, even though it might be her Mom scolding her:

Dear May,

I promised you I would support you no matter what you choose, because I know that you?re a good girl who always follows your heart. This makes it even easier to believe in you. If you are reading this then that means your Father has successfully given this package to you.

I still can?t believe that my little May has actually decided to go out into the world and have her own little journey?Though one side of me is elated to see this?Another side of me weeps continually, knowing that you?ll no longer be safe at home with me, but back in the world that hurt you so much. ::tear smudge:: Even though I?m not too sure the exact reason to what would make you change your mind I have a good idea of it?::tear smudge:: That demonic look in your eyes that appear when ever you feel pain?you want it to stop don?t you? May! It is foolish and even selfish of me to tell you to let go of your sorrows but I know you can?t set yourself free until you see some kind of ratification. That?s just how you are, you little fool ::a few more tear smudges::

Though you won?t admit it, you can?t stand to see others get hurt. You have a strong sense of justice and a stubborn streak that matches that of your father, perhaps this is why I love you both so much?::smeared ink:: I know you?re too prideful to accept it?but I want you to have these items I?m sending you! Enclosed are $1,000, TMs # 29, 45, 13, and two # 32s ( you can never be too stealthy) and an outfit I bought for your adventure. Become strong May! And remember you can always return home if you want to! ::more tear smudges:: Because Mama will always be here waiting!

Love, Mom.


With a softened expression, May looks at the outfit that consisted of a phanny pack, which looked small in size but in reality could hold a lot of stuff. A Pokeball design red bandanna, black and white gloves, running shoes and a pair of tight black biker shorts that reveals a little in the lower hemisphere if not for the long red shirt that covers that.

?There?s a change room in the back of the Gym.? Norman inquires. ?You can change into the outfit there.?

May nods solemnly and walks to the back room. Along the way she, in the corner of her eyes could see all of Norman?s pupils who all kept whispering to themselves as May passed by.

A lot of what they had to say about her wasn?t exactly nice?more like belittling really.

May usually would?ve rushed up and cracked the nearest face, but she didn?t care one way or the other anymore?they weren?t worth it.

Keeping to this belief, the 13-year-old quickly changes into her new outfit and returns to her Father?s sanctuary.

There, she sees her Father talking to a sickly looking little boy of the age of eleven with green hair and looked as though he has seen better days.

?Oh May,? Norman greets his daughter. ?You look stunning! Actually, I wanted to ask you a favor.?

?Ok?what??

Norman gestures to Wally. ?This is Wally Reynolds. He?s about to move away from Petalberg and his parents and lives with his Aunt and Uncle in Verdanturf Town. Since the trip alone is going to be a long and lonely one. Me, being the great guy that I am decided to-?

?Egotist?? May mutters in an low whisper before she gets a good look at Wally?s black eye. ?That kid looks as though he?s seen better days.? The 13-year-old thinks to herself. After that, she then takes a gander at Norman?s sweater. Wondering why is he wearing such a thing in such warm weather.

?May!? Norman yells to get his daughter?s attention. ?Did you hear a single word I said??

?Is it something important?? May blankly asks. The answer received force Norman to take it as a ?No.?

Realizing that this was the actions his wife talked of, Norman slaps his forehead. ?Look, just take Wally here to catch his own Pokemon nothing further.?

May rolls her eyes as she bolts out of the Gym. Wally, a bit afraid of the girl, hesitates but quickly follows suite anyway.
-------------------
(A bit later)

?I?m sorry for getting you involved.? Wally timidly apologized. ?This is a lot to ask and it?s not your business??

?No problem.? May responds as she looks at his shiner. ?What happened there??

?Oh my eye? Ahahahaha I err fell!?

?You got beat up by some punk kids, obviously a group of them.?

The 11-year-old looks at the 13-year old very shocked at her well-put assumption. ?How did you??

?I got picked on a lot too??

?What did they do to you??

?Mostly tease me, call me names and pull jokes on me. They never had the courage to attack me unless they were in a group.?

?What! Why??

May gives a little shrugs as she looks up to the sky in thought. ?Maybe because once I beat a kid up so bad she had to get plastic surgery and move to another town where the family felt she could blend in??
May considers it for a moment before thinking even farther back to her childhood. ?Or? was it the time I beat up those two annoying boys and you could actually see their bones literally ripping out of their skin??

Wally wasn?t too sure if the older girl was just trying to scare him but gives a quick exasperated look as he slowly, very slowly shifted away from May.

?Well, well if it isn?t sick little Wally.? An 11-year-old boy with spiky brown hair and wore braces named Mag mocked. Next to him was his slightly taller blonde friend named Ross who acted as a parrot at the moment. ?Yeah, did your Mommy actually let you play in the grass? Care not to let a Wurmple bite.?

Both boys laugh and give each other a high five. May wrinkles her nose in disgust. ?Losers.?

Since a new comer just called them out. Mag quickly holds his ground. ?Who the heck are you anyway??

?Better question: Did you two do this him?? May counters crossed armed.

?None of your business!? Ross argues.

?Well I just made it my business! Now spit it out!? May argues back. Mag turns to Wally with an annoyed look. ?Hey Wally can?t fight your own battles? What?s with the PMSing old hag??

??Pmsing?hag?.? May twitched.

Ross agrees with his friend ?Psh, getting a body guard whose probably in ?that time of the month? yeah real manly!? Mag then made the biggest mistake of his life as he turned to May and gave her a shooing gesture with his right hand. ?Hey grams, why don?t you nit a sweater or something and mind you?re your beeswax!?

May?s voice was hushed but her anger was quite audible? with the fiery red aura radiating around her and all? ??how dare you?how dare you?How dare you?talk of a woman?s body so frivolously!!!!?

May glooms dangerously in front of the two boys. A few minutes pass by and both boys are left on the ground badly beaten up while random arms and legs twitch.

?Wow. She?s strong but scary?? Wally thinks to himself.

?COME ON!?

Wally timidly follows the chestnut colored hair girl who quickly points out the grass to him. ?Ok so I just go into the grass and- Whoa!?

A wild Ralts pops out of the tall grass, looking at Wally looking at bit confused.

?What the-? May cuts herself off as she pulls out Alia.

?Ralts are quite the rare find.? Was all the A.I. travel companion informs.

May gives an unconcerned shrug. ?Perhaps it?s fate?? She then turns her attention to Wally. ?Yo, Wally! You?re suppose to weaken the Pokemon then capture it. Care not to make it faint.?

Wally looked at May puzzled. ?But wouldn?t that make it easier?? May simply rolls her eyes as she spoke sarcastically. ?Oh sure catch a dead Pokemon.?

?Uh... I?ll use the Pokemon Mr. Norman gave me. Go Pokemon!? A Zigzagoon popped out of the ball ready for orders. ?Ok, Zigzagoon attack!? The green haired 11-year-old ordered.

The Zigzagoon stares at Wally confused and gets tackled by Ralts who then smirks.

?Some trainer Pops is! A monster that won?t even understand what ?attack? means?? May scoffed. ?Wally! You have to give it a proper order! Zigzagoon can also Tackle!?

?Grr ok! Zigzagoon TACKLE!?

Zigzagoon makes a direct hit off the Ralts which fell on it?s back due to the force of the hit. The Ralts angrily gets back on its feet.

?Direct hit!? Alia exclaims.

?Ok now go Pokeball! Catch that Ralts!? Wally orders the Pokeball as he threw it.

May sweatdrops at the boy?s over-description. ?You don?t need to order it to??

The Pokeball catches the Ralts. The ball begins to shake a few times. After that mounted tension the ball stops shaking.

?YES! I caught a Pokemon!? Wally whoops, as he jumps in the air excitedly ?And I owe it all to you Miss May. Thank you so much! I promise I?ll take great care of him.?

May gives a sheepish grin. ?Miss?Hmm??
-----------------
(Back at the Gym)

?Wow congratulations Wally!? Norman pats Wally?s shoulders after hearing the entire story. He then gives May an ?I told you so? smile. ?See May, doesn?t helping out others feel good??

?Not really.? May answers. Forcing her Father to shake his head disappointed.

?Here?s your Pokemon back Mr. Norman thank you?? Wally gratefully comments to Norman before turning his attention to May. ?And you too Miss May. I would?ve never caught Ralts?or duck a beating from Mag and Ross if it wasn?t for you!?

Wally looks happily at his Pokeball. The 11-year-old then, jovially rubs face happily against the ball. ?Now I?ll never be lonely!? Is what constantly raced through his mind.

May watches the boy and wonders why a Pokemon could make him act so giddy. The chestnut-haired girl steals a rather annoyed glance at her Father who simply grins at her.

Shrugging off her earlier thoughts, the 13-year-old then precedes to hand the boy TMs 32 and 29.

?You?re just giving me these!?? Wally exclaims excitedly.

?I don?t see why not.? May comments.

Wally has never been given such a kind gesture before. He happily hugs May who kindly pats him on the head while attempting pry him off her when he squeezes a little too tightly while crying. Wally realizes what he?s doing and quickly leaves the Gym blushing furiously.

?That was odd?? Norman comments while he eat his Cup-o-Ramen Noodles.

May gives Norman a quick annoyed glance before she spoke to her very hungry looking Father. ?When have you eaten something that didn?t come from Styrofoam??

A waterfall of tears fall from Norman?s eyes. ?I don?t remember?? He sobs as he slurps some more noodles.

?I know you aren?t expecting me to cook!? May shouts.
----------------------------------------
(Not too far from the Gym)

As Wally happily rushes to his home, Mag and Ross stop him in his path.

Before Wally could attempt to run away from the bullies Ross shoves the 11-year-old down causing his Pokeball containing Ralts to roll two feet away from him.

?Where?s your bodyguard now?? Mag asked Wally in a very taunting tone. He then notices the Pokeball two feet away from sickly boy. ?Oh! Well it looks as though little Wally bagged himself a Pokemon.?

Ross picks up the ball and examines it. ?Yeah! And it?s a rare one! He agrees with his friend before giving Wally a spiteful grin. ?Too rare for a loser like you.?

?Give my Ralts back! He?s mine! Wally tries to get his Ralts but Ross and Mag play keep away. This eventually attracts a crowd of mostly children. ?Come on! Give him back!!?

?Aww is Wally gonna cry?? A random child taunts. This makes many kids laugh.

?What did I ever do any of you??

A random girl in the crowd who was behind Wally shoves him. ?We don?t need a reason!? She yells.

Wally?s parents watched from their house. Though Wally?s Dad wanted to rush in and help his little boy Wally?s Mother told him to ?trust Wally. They can?t be there for him forever.?

A lot would also agreed with this truth.

?Ralts come out of your Pokeball!? Wally screams desperately.

Ralts pops out of his ball and looks at his new trainer confused.

To Ralts, the events that just occurred were just a blur. All he did was look for some food. As a result, this kid and a raccoon Pokemon ambush him. Even though he tried to put up a fight he felt himself weak, which he felt why he got himself confined in that ball.

Wally quickly uses TMs 29 and 32 on Ralts. ?Ralts, please run away!?

?Ra Ralts??

Wally looks at his Pokemon sadly as he spoke. ?I?m sorry?I?m weak?please get away now! NOW!?

Ralts was still very confused about what this human was telling him or why was he crying...

?Was he crying?over him?

The Ralts, even though just caught against his own will felt saddened by this human?s plight and felt worse since he was so weak; he couldn?t do anything to help him?now he?s being dismissed, just like that?

Ralts listens to Wally and attempts to walk away? But like his trainer, he too, is blocked. The difference is it?s by Mag and Ross? Poochyena.

?Say Wally? You?re just gonna let your Pokemon run without letting it fight?? Mag asked the green haired boy. ?Why not fight us? In a handicap match??

??No.? Wally spoke for himself. Everyone surprised by his actions. ?I said no?I don?t wanna see you guys hurt Ralts?hurt me instead??
Wally then turns to Ralts. ?Escape I?ll keep them busy! I wanna be strong like Miss May!?

Wally stood tall for the first time in his life as he puffed his chest proudly continuing to speak. ?Give me your best shot! Only complete cowards would fight a guy outnumbered anyway?? The boy trembled a bit before showing all how loud he really is. ?AND THAT?S WHAT YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS STUPID CITY IS! SO GIVE ME YOUR BEST D-MN SHOT!! I?M NOT SCARED OF YOU OR ANYTHING LIKE YOU!!!?

This pissed Mag off. The boy walks over to Wally and gives him a quick jab to the gut, which forces the frail boy to his knees. ?You think we won?t! Poochyena attack that nerd!? Mag?s Poochyena complies.

?You too!? Ross orders his Poochyena who also complies with the command.

Both Pokemon were about hit Wally with a strong Tackle. The green-haired 11-year-old braced himself for the pain.
It was at this moment Ralts jumps in front and receives the full brunt of an attack meant for his trainer.

?What are you doing!?? Wally screams at Ralts. The little Psychic Pokemon says nothing. He just stares at Wally.

Ross snickers viciously at the boy. ?See Wally, even your Pokemon has more guts than you! So the little green thing wants to rumble eh? Well Pooch who are we to run! Get ?im!?

The two Poochyena began to constantly gang Tackle the little green Level 7 Pokemon.

Wally attempts to run to Ralt?s aide but two kids grab his arms restraining his movement. All the sickly young boy could do now is watch his Pokemon get pummeled.

The adults or anyone else who cared deeply for Wally couldn?t do much?Even though they wanted to interfere and stop their kids, it would only result with Wally being picked on worse than he usually is.

Or an even scarier thought: Them stalking him all the way to Verdanturf.

?Cough! Ralts?why am I so weak?? Wally manages to blurt out before he started to fade out.

Ralts struggled with all his might to get up. But just didn?t see the point.

?Hey Mag let?s use that Machop you ?borrowed? from your brother!? Ross suggests. Obviously feeling Wally and Ralts haven?t suffered enough.

?Hehehe, my friend I like your style. Machop!? Mag gives a cruel little smile as he throws a Pokeball and a Level 20 Machop pops out. ?Machop crush that weak runt!?

Ralts closes his eyes and expects the worse to come. Wally himself, had already succumbed to his illness and fell unconscious.

Seeing this the two kids holding Wally down let go of him with concern looks on their faces.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
-----------
?Hey? You ok?? The child on the left asked the green haired boy as he pokes him. Wally didn?t give any kind of response. This causes the child to become a little frightened.

The other child holding Wally wanted to be a doctor when he grew up. He instructed the other boy to give Wally some space so he could lay down and get a little air.

Just by feeling Wally?s pulse and looking at him he could tell. ?I don?t think Wally was being stuck up at all this time?I think he?s really out of it?? The boy mutters bristling with guilt.

Mag gives a disgusted look and then gives a little laugh. ?Aww the poor baby fainted before his Pokemon did! Now you won?t get to see all the juices that will fly out of your Pokemon!!!?

Ross grabs at his friends sleeves as though a sudden twinge of shame had erupted in his system. ?Dude?I really think we should stop?He really looks like he needs a doctor??

?Aw, he?s faking it. Come on Machop finish him off already!!!!?

The Machop also hesitated in attacking after seeing Wally?s reaction to Ralts? position?But not wanting to anger his Trainers cruel minded little brother throws his strongest punch at Ralts who in turn quickly disappears and reappears in a safer distance thanks to the source that carried him: Whirlpool the Zigzagoon.

The two the children moved aside as May rushed over to the unconscious 11-year-old?s side and shakes his unconscious form. ?Wally! Hey wake up! You?re gonna let yourself die??

Wally barely regains consciousness, but he doesn?t open eyes. The poor boy had given up all hope on ever becoming strong. ?Why not? I?m weak?I deserve to die?I couldn?t help Ralts?? Wally sobs as his closed eyes leaked with tears. ?I?m a coward??

?Well he?s fine and dandy to me!? May counters.

Despite saving his neck, Ralts still looks indifferent about the situation itself. It was at this moment Machop picked up a giant rock with Strength and aims it at Ralts.

Tsunami and Whirlpool run in front and take the attack for Ralts, neither looked like they were in good shape especially Whirlpool.

Wally just watched the current events with horror and shock.

?Why are your Pokemon going out of their way like this May? Why won?t you stop them???

?Because I trust them??

?What!?

May, very annoyed, grabs Wally by his collar and gives him a dark look. ?You say that you?re weak but you want to be strong then why not borrow strength from your Ralts! He?s fighting to the end!?

After hearing this, Wally weakly stares at Ralts. Ralts indifferently stares at him.

?Decide!? May growls at Wally. ?Because I refuse to watch my Pokemon take bullets for sniveling cowards!?

Wally looks at May frightened but he closes his eyes and grits his teeth as he clenched his fist. Finally making his choice?The right one. ?I?m sick of being considered weak?I wanna be strong??

?Then dry your tears?and go to your partner??May smiles kindly at Wally. ?Double your chances!?

?double my?.Ralts! Double team!?

Ralts determinedly nods at his trainer. Soon, over ten Ralts cover the area well concealing Tsunami and Whirlpool.

Mag and Ross both look at the scene in awe. ?Is this even fair?? Ross queries. Mag ignores his friend. ?Shut up! Just attack! One of them is the real!?

So the two Poochyena begin to assault every Ralts that stood near them. Both were taken down by Tsunami?s Ember after their fifth mistake.

The Machop also made his way through the copies until there was only one left.

Whirlpool takes it upon himself to run about the Muscle Pokemon leaving him dizzy and frustrated. Tsunami then assaulted it with Ember, but the Level 20 Pokemon still had enough Health Points left to fight.

May has an idea and turns to the only one that could end the match before any collateral damage could be made. ?Wally! Machop?s a Fighting-type this is perfect time to use the other TM I gave you!?

?Oh right! Ralts TM 29!! Err I mean??

?Psychic!? Norman calls happily from off the distance as he eats his first home cooked meal in months.

?You heard the man! Ralts Psychic!!?

Ralts unleashes a strong psychic attack, which blows Machop away. Tsunami also throws some back up with Ember causing the Pokemon to faint. The other children were shocked while everyone else; especially Wally?s parents were all just proud and relived.

??we won?? Wally murmured a broadening smile started to form on his lips. ?We actually won!!?

?Ralts!? The little Psychic-type whooped happily as he jumped to his Trainer.

As the two celebrated their first victory together, May walked over to her Pokemon.

?Great job Whirlpool!? She compliments the petite raccoon Pokemon. Whirlpool beams with pride. May then turns to her proud chick Pokemon grinning. ?Tsunami?you were?decent??

?I can say the same thing to you human.? Tsunami mentally replies not even once looking at May.

?What! No fair! You cheated!? Mag yelled as he points an accusing finger over to May who scoffs. ?Psh, like a 3-on-1 is fair?? May narrows her eyes at the boy ?I just evened the odds?don?t get mad because our strategy was better.?

?Yes? Parasol Lady Jill growled as she grabbed both Mag and Ross by the ears. ?And isn?t your brother gonna be happy to hear you stole from him! Orville!? Jill lectures Mag, then turns her attention on Ross. ?Your mother is gonna be hearing of your mischief too Ross!?

?Wait! Why am I being punished? I had the change of heart!!? Ross interjects. Mag just narrows his eyes at his friend. ?You lousy traitor!?

Parasol Lady Jill tightens her grip on their ears as she drags them off. ?Don?t do the crime if you can?t do the crime!?
------------------
(Later)

May, feeling her work is complete turns to the direction of Petalburg?s exit.

?Wait! Miss May!? Wally races after the girl.

?May is fine?

?th-Thank you! I never really had a friend before?Will I get to see you again??

?Not too sure.? May coldly answers.

Wally saddens by this but smiles at the lining of hope and aims his fist at May. ?I promise you that Ralts and I will become very strong! Thank you!?
----------------

Though May didn?t look back, she was glad to help someone stand up his or her troubles. Aside from that, her mind was too focused on the task and challenges laid for her ahead.
------------------
(Days later)
(Location: Petalburg Woods)

It?s been days since 13 year-old May Hiromi has visited her father and entered the grueling maze like labyrinth known as the Petalburg Woods. Though a great place for Pokemon training and capture. May has fell victim to all the cunning tricks and turns of this forest. Luckily for May, she came across a rather interesting trainer named Crystal who self-decidedly chooses to be May?s guide out of the forest.
--------------------

?So you used to live in Johto huh?? Crystal asked May with curiosity and interest. ?In Violet city? It?s really pretty down there.?
Not even waiting for May to answer Crystal continues her chat. ?I remember two years back hearing a story of the demon child. Did you ever see how he looks like??

??Nah I was mostly at home being home schooled and all?? May finally spoke.

Crystal gives May a playful sympathetic smile. ?Man it must?ve been horrible when you actually went to public school.?

?Hmph, I got by.? The chestnut haired girl sourly replies.

Crystal, though kind, has her limits in patience. That?s why she gave May a slightly annoyed look as she countered May?s words with her own. ?No need to be so uppity about it. Anyway May?May?? Crystal turns to see May sitting on the ground exhausted. ?You?re tired already!??

?I?ve been walking around non-stop for days! Get off my back!?

?Well, I?ve been walking around non-stop for weeks and you don?t see whining about it!? The girl then puts her hands on her hips. ?You have to learn to pace yourself!?

Not wanting to argue with the well-meaning girl. May walks up to a nearby river and splashes some water on her face.

?So?Crystal right? What brings you Hoenn??

?Well?? Crystal admits. ?My goal is to catch every living Pokemon in the world especially the mythical ones??
Crystal?s facial expression turned into an exasperated one. ?Besides?I needed a break from those stooges. I?m starting to think Silver has issues that only a white room and a straight jacket can solve. And that Gold! If he wasn?t such an inconsiderate, womanizing, scatterbrained boob!? Light tints of pink appear on the girl?s cheek ?maybe??

May flashes Crystal a sly smile. ?Hm? Don?t let that glow of pink on your face stop you.?

?Ah! Why am I even telling you this!?

?Because I asked?? May matter-of-factly states as she pulls out Alia and examines recently collected battle data.

Crystal looks at the bizarrely shaped Pokedex in pure childish wonder. ?I?ve never seen a Pokedex like that before!?

?That?s because I?m a new breed honey.? Alia smugly begins to boast. ?The Ultimate Program to override obsolete Pokedexes like the one you probably own.?

Crystal excitedly snatched Alia from May?s hands and begins checking how she works. Within a matter of minutes Crystal fully mastered how to use Alia.

?So you have a bit of talent girlie?? Alia scoffs. ?But you have nothing on my May.?

?That?s right!? May just as smugly boasts as she snatches Alia back from Crystal, tossing the girl a quick warning glare. ?Care to ask next time??

Crystal sticks out her tongue in a cute, sheepish manner. ?Sorry about that?It?s quite an amazing piece of though. Prof. Oak and Elm would be put to shame if they saw this?? Crystal then looks at May quite concerned. ?But on your Pokemon pages you only have about ten capture entries over fifty seen entries.? The girl quickly stands up to finish her lecture. ?How can you let such an amazing Piece of work go to waste?! I?d give this an C- at most.?

Alia didn?t know whether to argue this or agree. After all she was all about the data. But the no-nonsense Pokedex would just figure she?d go with May on whatever she?d say to the girl.

And she was right. May was going to say something. I mean, that was a bit out of line for someone to go and say to you and you hardly know them?
?Because I don?t care about Pokemon capture. All I want is to compile the strong team?That?s why I only walk around with two of the ten I captured.? May also stands up to keep and equal lining with the girl. ?I only care about the Battle Analyzer! If I complete the Pokemon pages in the process of all my endeavors then fine by me!?

Crystal could feel every muscle in her arms tighten. How could she?how could she mock her goals, a long and strenuous goal that takes a lot of skill to excel at and rub it off like it?s no big thing? That really hurt.

May didn?t feel the same way as Crystal did however, she didn?t mean to insult her if she did. But that?s just how she felt?How could she expect Crystal to understand the deep desire to once and for all soothe the stinging pain that will forever remain branded on her back.

Crystal didn?t want to get into a pointless catfight. Thus she tried to play peacemaker. ?You remind me of someone?? She spoke in a more serious tone. ?And if you keep down that path it?ll hurt you and your Pokemon??

May realizes that Crystal was trying to be the better person about the situation and that?s why she spoke in a mocking tone. ?I know but I have to?I apologize if I hurt you.?

Crystal really wanted to lunge at the rather rude girl at the moment but just chose to scowl at her while putting her hand out in a peace offering, even though her brain yelled otherwise. ?Truce??

May accepts Crystal?s offer but her face is same as Crystal?s ?Truce?

The two, rather bitterly, shake hands. It was at this moment that a man in a green business suit walks out of the bushes clapping at the sight.

?Aww. See, we can work out our problems without violence.? The man wanted to say more but he noticed that both girls were glaring very dangerously at him.
So instead, for safety precisions the man chose to change the subject. ?Say? Has either of you two caught a Shroomish? They?re so lovable! I really wanted to find one but-?

As the man was about to continue his needless rambling a shady looking guy in red appears cuts him off. Walking up to the group from behind, fuming.

?Dammit! I finally found you!? He growls while shaking his head. ?Do you know how long I?ve been waiting to jump you by Forest exit! Two days! TWO DAYS!!! But noooooo you had to go frolicking in the woods like some lame guy in a musical movie! Well no more!!? The bizarrely dressed man roars. ?Now hand over what Team Magma wants or else!?

?Meep! Team Magma!? The businessman squeaks as he cowers behind May and Crystal. ?You two! You?re Trainers right? You must protect me! I?m a worker for the Devon Company and I?ll highly reward you!?

?This guy?s a bigger coward than Prof. Birch.? May thought.

Crystal on the other hand readies a Pokeball and stands ready for battle if needed be. ?May don?t under-look this guy! These people can get real nasty if they want to!?

?Know ?em??

?I only recently heard rumors of them myself...? Crystal admits. ?In this region there?s two rival cults: Team Magma and Team Aqua. Both groups want to use Pokemon to help them obtain their plans of the reconstruction of the planet. What I hear is that Magma wants to expand the land while Aqua wants to expand the world?s water rate.?

The Team Magma Grunt gives a little snort as he crosses his arms. ?As if the world doesn?t have enough water! We of Team Magma realize the world?s a growing population and our hope is to expand the land to help humanity and Pokemanity thrive! But those seasick Starmie huggers are trying to stop us!!?

?The world is fine the way it is! Both of you are wrong!? Crystal growls at the land cult Grunt.

An X-shaped vein appears on the left side of the Magma Grunt?s head. ?You dare put us Magma?s in rank with those? Fish-heads!! That tears it! We?ll take what we need by hook or by crook!!?

The man readies his Pokeball. Crystal does the same, while preparing herself in a position as if she was reading to throw a kick.

May walks in front of Crystal, stopping her attempted actions. ?If you don?t mind?I want to be the one do this!?

?What!? Why?? The girl impatiently questioned until May lifts up her shirt to show Crystal the brand on her back.

?It was because of people like them I have this scar that I?ll carry till the day I die?If I can ease that pain just a bit??

??just take him down!?

May pulls her shirt back down and gives a little nod before throwing her Pokeball containing Tsunami the Torchic.

Tsunami, now Level 15, pops out of her ball ready for combat. The Magma Grunt gives a little cackle.

?Hehehe. You wanna take me on little girl? Bring it!!!? The Grunt roars wickedly as he throws his Pokeball. ?Go Poochyena!!? Poochyena pops out of his ball. ?YEA!! GO POOCHYENA!!! TEAR ?EM APART!!!!?

Poochyena rushes at Tsunami with a Tackle attack.

May looks at Alia, then at the battle with a disgusted look. ?Ember.?

Tsunami uses Ember. Which quickly causes the Poochyena to faint while setting it on fire.

?That?s one strong Pokemon!? Crystal compliments May?s ability to raise Pokemon.

???

?May??

?The Poochyena? Is only Level 6...? May replies, giving a little twitch.

Crystal and the Devon worker both slap their foreheads exasperatedly.

The Magma Grunt recalls the smoldering Poochyena to its ball. Still surprisingly confidant. ?Hrhrhr! You thought it was over? She thinks all is well? Well, kiss my Magma ***! ?Cause the fight is just gettin-?
The man feels his belt and quickly realizes that was his only Pokemon. ?Err?Remember my name for it will give you nightmares at night! Eggbert!? The man then flees.

?Should I get nightmares or fall on the floor laughing?? The Devon worker snorts.

Crystal just shook her head in shame at the cowardly elder.
---------------
(At forest exit)

?I owe you girls a lot. Thanks.? The Devon worker gratefully praised May and Crystal. ?Even though I didn?t get that Shroomish today was interesting??

?Now about that reward?? May reminds.

The worker pales. ?Yes? I haven?t forgotten?But I left it in my office?I?ll go get it?err yeah?? The man slowly walks away then quickly flees.

?Crook?? May mutters. Tsunami nods.

?May.? Crystal extends her hand out to the girl. ?I know we got off on the wrong foot and all?but?I wish you the best of luck from here on out. Demon child.?

May looks at the girl a bit surprised she figured her out.

?Don?t worry it?s not my place to pry.? Crystal smiles. ?I guess your competition from here on in.? Crystal was rather excited about this aspect but tries to look like she doesn?t care. ?I mean, what you?re trying to do will take a lot of Pokemon capture and I?m trying to complete mine?And I can?t fully forgive your attitude.?

May gives a little shrug. ?Well then, I?ll see ya when I see ya. Oh?Where are you going now anyway??

?I figure I?d look around the forest more. I?m not too sure about you but I wouldn?t dawdle if you have one like me on your tail!?

?Riiiiight?? May mummers.
---------------------------------------

And with that, the young girls went their own separate paths. But what did Crystal mean by her message? Who is this Roxanne? And why does Norman speak so highly of her? Only the Rustboro Gym has the answers.
--------------

(Story Arc 1 complete)
End Chapter 5
--------------

Yes, I know... the :: :: but it was a the letter and figured I could get away with it...Anyway...Hope I wasn?t too melodramatic at some points.

From here on in...our May sees that life isn't as cut out as it seems in the start of story arc 2, Chapter 6- Gaia?s Rage

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else
-----------------
Is it a sin to be too perfect? To be born with an amazing talent that you want to show it off to the world? It can?t be helped, prodigies like that are forth coming. But should we truly support their talents? Knowing that they will soon replace you at half the time it took you. Excel in tasks that you felt nearly impossible to obtain. Some would comply others would fearfully refuse.
Like the beauty and grace of a mountain, this in particular prodigy stood strong against these odds. Conquering all her challenges and those who would dare oppose her. For, she is the gifted child of Gaia. A true trainer who fights with rock-hard strategy and might! Attempting to defy her is like defying the Gods themselves?
--------------------------

(Story Arc 2: WILD DRIVE)
Chapter 6-Gaia?s Rage
----------------
(Location: Rustboro City)
(Rustboro Gym. Room 226)

May Hiromi struggles to keep herself awake during the VERY boring lecture being given.

?So you see students.? A teacher explains. ?We Hoenn Trainers are known for our style, in fact it was the founder of this region Ezekiel .D. Hoenn, who in battle was the first ever trainer to have his Pokemon do its own Custom Tactic.?

The aged teacher began to aimlessly boast about Hoenn trainers, mostly the school?s top Student Roxanne.

May stopped paying attention to the old man along time ago though?her current interest was beating M. Bison in Street Fighter Alpha 3 on her GBA. And she did so under her desk.
----------------------
(Later at Rustdonalds)

May sits by a table as Brendan arrives with the food and hands her order to her.

?Y?know you didn?t have to buy my meal.? May dryly states. ?Well you didn?t have to accept.? Brendan chuckles before looking at his friend curiously. ?So, May? how was class??

?BORING!? The chestnut haired girl screams out exasperatedly. ?Why are we even taking classes and test just to fight the Gym Leader? Who exactly does she think she is??

Brendan sweatdrops at his friend?s rather bratty behavior. ?May this isn?t like a video game where everything is conveniently set for you? This is how it is in real life.? Giving a little shrug Brendan continues his lecture. ?Gym Leaders have the power to make their gym however they want. Roxanne wants hers like a learning facility so that?s cool. Just take your classes and you should be fine?at least they?re free.?

?Hmph. I had to pay a ten dollar entrance fee.?

?Well, Your Dad has been known to brag a deal about you...? Brendan states as he munches on his burger.

May rolls her eyes before turning to Brendan with interest. ?Brendan? Did you get your badge yet? Those test shouldn?t be so hard for you.?

?Yeah about that?uh?Roxanne refused to fight me.?

May slams hands on table shocked when hearing this. ?w-WHAT!? Why?? Brendan shifts his eyes towards the window as he spoke. ?She said that I should be proud of my prestigious rank in the Pokemon academy and spend more time hitting the books not wasting my precious time going on a Pokemon journey. Ultimately sullying the school?s name??

?Well you did explain to her what you said to me right??

?She said I make funny jokes??

May was shocked. Was she the only one that noticed this girl?s pompous behavior? Or was she the only one that wasn?t intimidated?

She could see the nervous looks in the room as she and Brendan used freely the revered Roxanne?s name while others looked in their direction harshly.

?You went through all that crap now she?s gonna brush you off with garbage like that!?? May proclaims. ?We?re going to have a talk with her??

?May??

??Besides?? The 13-year-old girl fumed. ?I wanna know why only I had to pay ten dollars by the door and another three hundred just to take examinations!?

Brendan suddenly felt pumped after May?s speech and stands up. ?Yeah I guess you?re right.? He agrees. ?I?m pumped let?s go!?

?Wait?Let?s build our strength first? May suggested as she continues eating.

::BEEP BEEP BEEP::

May pulls out Alia from her phanny pack.

?Let?s not forget you have another class in an hour.? Alia reminds happily.

Just for that comment, Alia was stuffed back in May?s pack.
-------------------
(20 minutes later)
(Location: Rustboro Gym entrance)

Brendan and May look at each other and nod. When Brendan was about to open the door and May was forced to cough up another ten dollars by the door, a group of students all lead by a chirpily dressed girl named Karen appear.

?Brendan!? Karen chides. ?We heard you planning with this barbaric dunce what you?re about to do! Well were here to stop you!?

?That?s right!? One of Karen?s friends agreed. ?Just listen to Roxanne and come back to the trainers school with us. WHY DO YOU WANT TO GIVE UP SUCH A HIGH RANK??

May turns to Brendan quizzically. ?You?re at badge level four right?? Brendan nods. ?Yeah and at my age that?s not normal??

Karen throws May a smug little look, boldly standing proud. ?Heh, allow me to fill the knowledge into your dumb self: At age ten students who come to the Rustboro Pokemon academy all start out as rankless. At eleven, they go up to badge Level 1 and so forth. Normally only at eighteen can you earn eight badges and then go on to the Grand Masters classes and be acknowledged for great things. That?s if you?re a regular lazy student.?
The girl holds up her right index finger in a that?s-not-all manner. ?A lot of us study hard real hard in order to jump ranks. And of all of us Roxanne is still revered as the greatest student of all. At fourteen she earned badge Level 8 and completed the Grand Masters Courses in only six months!! Thus she defeated our original, obsolete Gym Leader and became our new one ever since.?

?Make it even more of a blessing she goes out of her busy schedule to teach classes to the newb no ranks. She?s such an angel.? One boy sighs.


May considers this before she turns to Brendan again while pointing at Karen. ?Is she the one who went to teach classes and you never heard from her since?? Brendan blankly nods. May rolled her eyes. ?I see why??

Karen flashes the duo a confident smile. ?If you guys really wanna see Roxanne then do, follow me.? She then gives Brendan a warning look. ?You?ve been warned now feel our schools sting.?
----------------
(Rustboro Gym)
(Battle Room)

?This is where Roxanne does all of her battling.? Karen spoke as she gestured to the sandy environment full of rock and boulders.

?Nice and beach-like.? May comments.

Brendan throws May an annoyed glance before addressing Karen. ?So I guess we wait now??

Karen shook her head. ?Nope! I just wish to test the interloper?s mettle first!? She gestures towards May. ?I?ve never fought an outsider before, though I doubt it?ll be much of a match.?

?Huh? Wait! We?re only here to talk!? Brendan interjects. ?After all, I?m the real problem. Not her! So wouldn?t it be better to deal with me??

?Scared that your loud little girlfriend will get beat?? Karen chides her former schoolmate. ?I mean, I am ultimately a better student than you are so why fight a useless battle??

?There?s a reason I decided to leave the data run school to travel around?? Brendan growls, sick of his peers labeling of him. ?There?s only so much data can teach you?I?ve learned that?And I?m not the same guy you once knew me as because of it!?

?Brendan?? May smiles as she throws a Pokeball containing Tsunami the Torchic. ?I think everyone knows that.?

Karen gives May a whatever look before throwing a Pokeball containing a Skitty. ?If you?re ready?We should begin.?

Tsunami jumps at Skitty and throws a strong downward Scratch at it. The Skitty pulls back in the nic of time to avoid the heavier damage.

?You little barbarian!? Karen scowls before brimming with a sudden burst of confidence. ?Now it?s my turn! Roxanne taught me some tricks on how to launch a Custom Tactic! Now say goodbye! Skitty! Big Heart attack!?

The Skitty glows with a strong pink aura, as she looks as though she?s about to launch an attack but instead the little cat-like Pokemon began to puff up like an over inflated beach ball.

?Neowsy?? Karen timidly asked her over-inflated Pokemon.

?Look out! She?s gonna blow!? Alia screams. ?Ultimate Programs and Pokemon first!?

Everyone ducks and cover for what is about to be a very messy explosion. Instead the Skitty flies about the room deflating like a balloon would.

When Skitty finally hit?s the ground she has hearts in her eyes, she then quickly runs out of the Room and looks for the closest vanity mirror.

Karen blushes as she gives a sheepish smile. ?wh-Wha! Eheheh. That was all planned?At least it worked??

Brendan and the other students just shake their heads exasperatedly.

?How nice?? May dryly mock compliments. ?Except for the fact that TSU IS A GIRL!!!!?

?With such a scruffy looking demeanor I believe any reasonably intelligent trainer would make such a gender mistake.? A rather cute looking young woman about the age of fifteen comments as she enters the room holding Karen?s Skitty.

The young woman, as one would think has the attire of one who prefers to spend her time in school. This would be proven with the blue outfit she wore along with her pink stockings and matching blue casual shoes. The pink ribbon that tied down her very long hair gave the young woman an air of elegance as well as beauty.

All the students including Brendan froze in their place when getting sight of the 15-year-old.

May, who had no clue or care that this newcomer was quickly spoke in defense of her Pokemon, who she crudely insulted.

?And you are??

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
-------------------
?Why I?m Roxanne, Leader of this Gym.? The teen introduces. ?Might I ask who you are? And why are you causing such a racket??

?My name is May Hiromi. And you turned down my friend Brendan Birch in a gym match. Might I ask you why??

?He?s a student at our school.? Roxanne replies to May with a little shrug. ?He doesn?t need to make our name look foolish just because he feels he doesn?t have what it takes.?

May fumed at the arrogance that came out of Roxanne?s mouth. Even worse the Gym Leader again, insulted one of her friends.

Before May could answer to her rude comment Brendan stepped in front of his audibly angry friend to defend himself. ?That isn?t true! In fact Professor Guine inspired me to go out there and try to see how real trainers do it.?

?You tell her.? May goads, which causes Brendan?s confidence to heighten. ?It?s not like I dropped out or anything I?m on a seven month trainers leave is all. I?ll be back.?

Roxanne shook her head dejectedly at what she heard. ?Brendan, you have an amazing gift why do you waste it by only depressing yourself??

Now this got the attention of Brendan?s soft-spoken Pokedex Ciel. ?You aren?t being very supportive you know?shouldn?t you instead be wishing him the best rather than discouraging him and let him waste away his life studying??

?Did that thing just talk?? The 15-year-old Gym Leader points in Ciel?s direction. Karen nods to the Gym Leader as she then points to May and Alia. ?Her?s can too.?

?Hmm. So your father finally completed that battle data collector Brendan. I?m glad to hear that.? Roxanne gives a small smile in the boy?s direction before turning to May with a small frown. ??Though I don?t understand why she was given one.?

?Because May?s all about the battle data!? Alia interjects.

?Wow, It even has a loyalty program!? Roxanne innocently states.

May grits her teeth. She knew what game Roxanne was playing. Ignoring the 15-year-old, May then takes Alia?s words into consideration.

?But we have come a long way in our travels and collected a lot of interesting analysis huh Al??

?I?ll say. And when I was first activated I thought I would be collecting dust?but I?m happy to know that you that didn?t want powerful ?ol me to go to waste.?

?Heheh.? Roxanne attempts to giggle to hide her growing dislike for the 13-year-old with the phanny pack. ?So you take the beauty of data collection and Pokemon analysis as some kind of game??

?You said that, not me.? May counters.

Just the words that Roxanne wanted to hear.

?Okay, I?m interested. How about a little one-on-one? Just to see whose been taking their Pokemon notes better. Of course this is just for fun and no Gym rules are made and no badges are given.?
Roxanne finishes her challenge with a grin. ?Think you can keep up? Things could get a little too shaky for your little Fire-type?OH! But you already knew that! You don?t need a Trainers rank to figure out my talents!?

?If it?d shut you up you arrogant?? May inwardly growls as she grits her teeth. ?I?ll take you on! And it?ll be my pleasure to wipe that smug smirk off your face!? The 13-year-old yells at the Proud Gym Leader as she activates Alia?s battle scan mode. ?Tsu!?

?Hm. Then let the battle begin!? Roxanne announces as she throws her Pokeball. ?Go Nosepass!?

Nosepass pops out of his Pokeball and what it looks like an orange aura flowing around him.

?May? Were in trouble. This Pokemon?s a Rock-type!? Alia quickly alerted her trainer of the fix she got herself in.

Roxanne just chuckles at the rather blunt scene. ?So you need your Pokedex to tell you that? Wasn?t obvious from first glance.? The Gym Leader then crosses her arms ?Tsk, you need glasses.?

?Don?t let her get to you May!? Brendan spoke, as he tried to help clear May?s now cluttered thoughts. ?Pokemon battles are mostly about mind games!?

?I know that!? May yells before turning back to Tsunami. ?Tsu! Focus Energy!?

Tsunami closes her eyes and begins to collect her inner strength. Roxanne simply gave a little Tsk. ?I?ve heard rumors that you?re known for you?re famous One-hit-K.O. battles but what?s the matter? Fine then I?ll attack first?

Roxanne then begins to radiate with an orange aura. ?Students this would be the perfect time to teach you on how to master Custom Tactics. First of all you and Your Pokemon should have full control over its elemental. For example Nosepass is a rock type so he manipulates ground to use his attacks. I?ve spent years trying to understand why Gym Leaders focus on just one type of Pokemon? Now I see why.?
Roxanne tosses her students an enlightened look before finishing her lengthy instruction. ?It?s not just about their infatuation with that specific type but it?s also the only way that they?ll ever truly be able to understand those Pokemon and their style of living, harness it and be able to wield it themselves. Thusly being now called master to that element. NOW MY STUDENTS! WITNESS FOR YOURSELF THE POWERS OF AN ELEMENTAL MASTER!!! NOSEPASS! QUAKE SPHERE!!?

Nosepass? aura powers uncontrollably as he telekinetically lifts a giant boulder which glowed with a fiery orange and had crackles of electricity pulsating out of it.

May raises an eyebrow at the situation, very unimpressed.

?May get Tsu out of the way now!!!? Brendan yelled at the top of his lungs.

May was at first confused by her friend?s demand until she saw the giant boulder coming in her and Tsunami?s direction.

?Tsunami move now!? The girl yells.

The chick Pokemon complies with her trainer's command and runs to her left. May barley had time to back away herself.

The Boulder hit the ground with a huge explosion, badly injuring Tsunami who wasn?t too far from the blast, but May as well, who stood in front of the blast.

?May! You Ok?? Brendan asked full of worry and guilt.

May sat up bruised and cut. She then held her now numb left arm. ?Yea?no worries here?? The girl assures as she then turns to Tsunami. ?You ok?? Tsunami nods weakly and rushes over to her partner.

?Oh, so no one?s gonna ask me if I?m ok?? Alia whines. ?Are you ok?? Ciel asked her fellow program. ?Yes, thank you.? Alia answers, feeling very satisfied now.

Roxanne smiles at May?s current state. ?Oh did I mention that Quake Sphere also paralysis?s an opponent? Meh. Now students?? Roxanne continued her lecture. ?Even if you do master one Custom Tactic don?t let that make you feel content. As long as you?re dedicated enough your Pokemon can learn all sorts of originally created moves.?
The Rustboro Gym Leader then scratches her chin in loud thought. ?Now let?s see? May Hiromi over there is daughter to the Gym Leader of Petalburg City Norman Hiromi. Norman?s strongest Pokemon is a Level 43 behemoth known as Slaking.?

?Level 43...? May mutters in pure shock. She knew her father was as tough as they come?But geez! He really wasn?t joking about their fight being a massacre.

This was just too good for Roxanne. The 15-year-old never liked people who had May?s drive: The overconfident, self-righteous type of person who feels they can make a difference and always harbor that obnoxious I can never give up attitude?It was just so?phony!

Watching May crumble in front of her was too great a pleasure. This alone made the 15-year-old proceed with the lecture. ?Although that maybe the case. Norman?s Slaking only knows One Custom Tactic. I?m not saying he?s lazy?but you?d expect a rank five Gym Leader to at least know a good number of powerful moves than just one.? Roxanne then turns to May with a sneer. ?Must be too hard for him I guess. Huh? Hiromi??

All the students laugh and agree; however Brendan found this far from funny?That was just a new level of low. The snow colored hair boy grits his teeth as he clenched and unclenched his fist ready to act.

He didn?t have to though, Ciel the usually quite of the two Programs spoke up in a silent rage. ??How dare you?Norman is a kind and caring man who goes out of his way to help others in need! Much more than I can say for you!!?

?Ciel?? Brendan muttered, surprised by his Pokedex?s outburst. ?You go, Sis.? Was Alia?s comment.

?May!? Ciel addressed the chestnut-haired girl. ?I know you have issues with your family that isn?t my business to pry on? But are you really gonna let this girl talk so sickly about those who gave birth to you and cared for you!?

May knew what Ciel was saying but could never fully acknowledge this truth herself? Not after what she?s been through? And thus, the 13-year-old could only turn her head away bitterly.

?She?s at a loss for words.? Roxanne smirks. ?After being given everything she needed in life and hiding behind her little computer games I guess she never realized the realism of the world around her.? The 15-year-old then addresses her Pokemon. ?NOSEPASS! SPIREWAVE!!!?

Nosepass vibrates violently, slowly but surely causing the ground below the battlefield to shake. As if magnetically attracting it, thousands of sharp stalactites to rise from the ground, all were rushing in the direction of May and Tsunami.

May snaps back into her senses in the nic of time to heavily shove Tsunami out of the way and slide Alia to Brendan?s direction.

May then attempts to roll out of the way herself, but gets cut heavily on the leg and back. The 13-year-old curses out in pain as her attempted dodge turns into a recoil crash landing headfirst.

With the midst of the craziness over Brendan recovers from his shock to rush over to May?s unconscious and battered form.

?Are you sick?? The snow colored hair boy spat in pure disgust at the Gym Leader. ?That could?ve killed her and her Pokemon!?

Roxanne doesn?t answer. In the corner of her eyes she watches Tsunami struggle to get up. The chick Pokemon sees her trainers limp form lying on the ground only feet away from her. Tsunami, enraged at the cost of her trainer?s selfless sacrifice is plunged into a rage similar of that of May when under full control of the serum.

Screaming out a little battle cry. Tsunami lunged at Nosepass, throwing Scratch and Pecks all about. Many of those attacks, very poorly launched.

Man, that Torchic is fired up. Look at that leg action.? One-student comments.

Karen rolls her eyes. ?Duh! It evolves into a Fighting-type later on.?

Roxanne watches in amusement as Tsunami blindly and clumsily attacks the seemly fatigued Nosepass. ?My, if that Torchic wasn't so clumsy those attacks might actually be of use.? She giggles. ?No more games time to end this!?

Tsunami recklessly rushes at her foe with Peck but is instead trapped in Nosepass? grip. The brave chick Pokemon futilely struggles to escape and attack Nosepass.

Nosepass summons another boulder from below Tsunami, knocking the bird up into the air. It?s around this point that May slightly recovers to see these events.

May always said she hates Pokemon, that she could care less for them. She grew confused when she?d see someone light-up over the bond between man and monster?

So why? Why did this sudden sensation of fear run through her system as she watched Tsunami suffer?

?What was that saying about flightless birds?? Roxanne queries at her own attempted joke. ?Oh well, Nosepass! Rock Tomb!?

Four giant boulders all rise from the ground and all clasp into Tsunami squeezing the life out of her.

Roxanne just noticed that May had awakened. ?Oh, May you come to. So. What are you going to do? Those sounds of cracking bones don?t at all sound healthy??

??Ok?I give?you win?Just stop it??

Roxanne snaps her fingers and Nosepass stops its attack. Tsunami hit?s the ground with a hard thud.

?Well that was semi useful.? Roxanne dryly comments. ?Students let?s all thank Miss Hiromi for her interesting battle display?? The 15-year-old then turns to the 13-year-old with an inviting look. ?May you can come back to fight me anytime you wish? If you?re up to it that is.?

Roxanne turns to leave. The students and Karen all follow suite.
------------------------------
(That night)
(Location: Petalburg Woods)

May, in bandages lets her swollen ankle rest in the soothing river.

Tsunami had to stay overnight in the Pokemon Center due to her heavy injuries.

??Man, I really messed up?It was because of me Tsu was like this.? May beats herself up as she thinks back to Roxanne and all what happened today. ?Going out of her way to humiliate me is one thing?? The girl then narrows eyes. ?But going into my family and trying to kill Tsu??

?No concern for your own well being I see?? Alia replies. May just gives a dejected sigh. ?If I can?t beat her then I deserve to die??

?Being a little too hard on yourself I see.? Brendan sternly comments as he walks over to May. ?Good news. Nurse Joy says Tsu should be out in a couple of days??

???

Brendan sits next to May and frowns at the girl?s sadness. Brendan then puts a comforting arm around his friend?s shoulder. ?Despite all that happened you learned a valuable lesson. That this is real life and not a game! Training Pokemon is fun but there?s a fine line between convenience and reality!? Brendan then smiles at May determinedly. ?But? We?ll get her next time. Until then here.?
The snow colored hair boy offers May TM 28. ?This the TM for Dig. Rock Pokemon are weak against ground attacks. Put it on Tsu and she?ll give Nosepass a good fight this time. Or better yet Whirlpool?with his speed-?

May pushes back the TM to Brendan. ?No I wanna beat her with my own strength. Those Custom Tactics sound interesting??

?May do know how long those moves take to learn.?

?Yea and I?m willing to train myself to the bone.? May looks up to the starry night with determination in her heart. ?It?ll be important for me to have a full understanding of the Custom Tactics regardless of Pokemon type anyway. Alia will help me.?

?As long as data and Pokemon are concerned May, I?m your dex!? Alia assures her Comrade.

?Thank you?? May smiles at her Pokedex then turns her attention to Brendan. ?If you want to help me so much then help me do this: Help me understand the whole process of Custom Tactics and when Tsu gets out of the Center become her, Whirlpool and Leaf?s sparring partners.?

?Sure thing.? Brendan smiles and nods before realizing. ?Wait, whose Leaf??

?Tactics?? May gave a mischievous grin. ?Tactics...?

End Chapter 6
-----------------------

Wordiness = deliberate. Teacher?s do ramble on endlessly don?t they? Oh, mostly likely Roxanne?s sudden disdain for May might have a lot to do with Norman. If you remember in the last chapter he tricked May into becoming slightly jealous of Roxanne with all of his bragging. He must have done the same to Roxanne in his own manner to pit them both against each other.

About the Aura?s

Unless you?re a psychic or had a ?gift? like Rui from Pokemon Colosseum did then you can?t see another person?s aura or your own. Since Colosseum was so kind to actually create the blackish/purple aura that emanates around an ?evil Pokemon? I used this to my advantage to dwell upon.

Maybe now is a good time to talk about these things?

According to my Webster?s college dictionary Aura: a light or radiance claimed to emanate from the body and be visible to those with psychic or spiritual powers.

From all my years of watching way too many Sci-Fi and Fantasy movies and reading way too many comic books like the geek I am, I came to the belief that there are two different types of auras: One would be our unique physical aura (i.e. our shapes and forms/appearance) and as the definition explains our spiritual aura.

I just wanted to find a way to describe a person?s raised fighting spirit. I also gave color to aura?s to describe a person?s personality or preferred element. Nothing too pivotal to story, neither is Custom Tactics that?s just something I wanted to sort out. So don?t think too much of it?

Why did I go and create the whole Custom Tactics thing? A lame attempt to be original one may argue. But, well yea and nah. I always remembered people complaining and moaning about how the Pokemon games battle system should be upgraded or altered somehow?Personally I always figured the battle system to be fine but if the battle system were ever altered most likely it would just be the use of moves in a chain movement.

So Custom Tactics are just meant to be similar to Super moves used in fighting games. In reality they?re combinations of two-three Pokemon attacks used at once.

Well now that I got that out of my system Next: Chapter 7 Fairy Rain

 

[Isaac Gravity]

I forgot to mention something...I have nothing against Roxanne. In fact, she's one of my favorite female Gym Leaders. She just dislikes people with certain drives and is more than happy to go out of her way to put them down a peg. Ok Now that I got that settled...
-------------
Disclaimer- I don?t own Pokemon or anything else.
----------------
(4 weeks later. Location: Rustboro Gym)
(Room 106)

?So you see students? Roxanne spoke as she lectured her class. ?Like humans, Pokemon adapt to the environment around them and use it to there advantage. Now if you would all kindly turn to page fifty-nine in your books?? Roxanne the notices May entering through the back and grins. ?You?re late! Do you have a reason to your inexcusable tardiness??

?Drop the cute act Roxanne!? May growls. ?You know why I would even bother to step foot in here!?

Roxanne considered this. ?Oh right?I did promise you a battle whenever you got your head out of the mud!? Roxanne announced as she closes book. ?Students forget our lessons! A good friend of mine is volunteering herself to teach you the art of Pokemon battling. Oh,? The Gym Leader adds. ?And please students, don?t question her odd battle style?It?s called wailing on the foe.?
-----------------
(Battle Room)

?Still have a chance to back down May.? Roxanne warns the girl while giving a confident smile.

?Do you think you can say all that and think you could get away for it?? May snaps as she readies a Pokeball.

?Heheh. Are you serious??

?Very!? May throws her Pokeball calling out a Shroomish which she names Leaf. ?I?m ready this time!?

?So you?ve been catching some new Pokemon?and I so wanted to play with cute little Tsunami some more.? Roxanne shrugs before addressing her class. ?Students, today you?ll learn the usual basics of a true Gym battle. Gym battles can range from one-six Pokemon like any regular Trainer battle; however, the difference is that usually a Gym Leader would have a set of specific rules when they battle. I personally think that such rules that exist in Gyms like those in Kanto of time limits is a pitiful handicap that would only work in a Gym Leaders favor.?

?Fine so it?s an all out free for all. Better for me!? May smirks.

May?s attitude began to irk the 15-year-old prodigy once more. ?Still smug I see.? Roxanne sighs. ?Well only a complete Neanderthal would feel that pointless aggressiveness would win the battles.?

?And only complete stuck-up jerks like you would be the first to think you can size out and berate your competition just because they didn?t get the same advantages as you! You make me sick!?

?I would say the same about you! Face it Hiromi! You don?t have a single clue in the world of Pokemon training.? Roxanne then flashes May a harsh look to further berate her. ?Just go home to your computer games.?

?Call out your monster and fight!? May demands.

?I live to please. Two monster single battle! Begin!? The Rustburo Gym Leader orders, quickly throwing her Pokeball.

A Geodude pops out of its Pokeball. ?Geodude! Rock Smash!?

Geodude rushes at Leaf the Shroomish with its fist behind its rocky figure. The Rock-type throws a heavy punch at the Grass-type.

Leaf jumps away from the assault leaving rubble where it once stood.

Geodude didn?t let up; it continued its attempted attacks on Leaf, which continued to nimbly dodge the blows.

?Got yourself a speedy one. But speed alone won?t save you!? Roxanne states as she glows with an orange aura. ?Geodude! Quake Sphere!?

?It can do it too!? May screams shocked. Roxanne rolls her eyes whiling giving a little smirk. ?Don?t you listen? I?m an elemental master. All my Pokemon could do at least one Custom Tactic.?

The Geodude, like Nosepass it uses the giant flaming boulder attack which pulsated with electricity.

?Leaf! Get into the sand now!!?

Too late! As the Shroomish attempted to bury itself in the sand he was hit with the full brunt of the attack.

From the balcony upstairs Brendan Birch watched the entire events. Hoping that all his training with his friend paid off.

Some rock fragments cut May?s right cheek and both arms but she ignores the pain. More pressing matters were at stake.

Leaf pops out from the sand horribly injured, but still able to fight and is badly burned.

?Burned huh?? May queries as she uses Burn Heal Brendan gave her earlier on Leaf. ?You feeling better?? Leaf nods allowing May to ponder what just happened. ?I thought you could only get afflicted with paralysis by that move??

?Like any regular human, a Pokemon?s personality is always different.? Roxanne lectures. ?So depending on Persona the effects of my move will be different. You should be glad your Grass-type isn?t frozen.? Roxanne then turns to Geodude. ?Ok Geodude I think the students get it now. End this! Rock Tomb!?

Leaf, with its bud-like body pumping itself, releases the move Absorb before the slower Rock-type Pokemon could unleash its own.

The attack drains Geodude of its life force while passing it over to Leaf, who stood reenergized and ready for the next fighter.

Geodude, unfortunately, hit the ground slowly cracking apart. The students and Roxanne especially stood shocked. Even though Geodude was the 15-year-old?s weakest monster, it never lost.

?Oh dear!? Roxanne exclaimed as she recalls Geodude quickly. She then gives May an annoyed glare.

?Heh. Finally shut you up.? May taunts Roxanne a bit. ?What?s the matter Zigzagoon?s got your tongue??

The battle was far from over though, but Roxanne has been known to enter a battle and never have a single Pokemon in her party faint.
For the dubbed Child of Gaia?this was a huge ego bruiser.

The 15-year-old prodigy scowls lightly at May?but the scowl then forms into a grin. ?You?re too much? Roxanne chuckles in a rather appeased manner.
The 15-year-old continues to chuckle. Her laughs sounding more distant by the passing second? ?I really can?t stand you?? Roxanne then glowers at May with a deadly serious face. ?That?s why I?m gonna enjoy this!?

Roxanne throws her last Pokeball. Nosepass pops out of its Pokeball ready to repeat past events.

May shrugs. ?Ha! I?ve heard that liner before! Leaf let?s due this to avenge Tsunami! Absorb now!?

?Shroom shroom!? Leaf smiles contently as he uses his attack. Roxanne scoffs at May?s inexperience. ?Cocky fool! You have to learn to stop joking!?

Nosepass begins to spin like tornado to kick up sand and block Leaf?s attack. Kicking up a minor sandstorm in the process.

?Is that even possible!?? May shouts as she shields her eyes. Roxanne shows an amused expression on her face. ?Hehehe, nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it! Now May, I wish ask you something? For the class please name all the accuracy lowering moves??

?Now!? Grr?Sand attack and Flash??

?On one of our facilities test you?d get that wrong! There are also many attacking moves that fall into this category. Not to mention moves like Double Team. Which if you think about it, causes a foe to miss his attacks if not having moves like foresight to help you pin point the true foe.? The 15-year-old grins while glowing with an orange aura. ?I bet you don?t know this one either?Nosepass! Stardust!!?

The sandstorm finally subsided. When Leaf felt it was finally safe to open his eyes the first thing in his vision picked up was Nosepass who stood tall in front of the Mushroom Pokemon before blowing a glitter-like material in his eyes, blinding him.

?Leaf! You Ok?? May questioned her partner?s ability to fight on.

Though Leaf could hear his trainer?s calls he couldn?t see her. The Shroomish absently walks about the room hoping to find the source.

?Leaf hey!? May concernedly snaps fingers to grab her Pokemon?s attention. ?I?m over here!?

The mushroom Pokemon still couldn?t open his eyes; it burned too much to do so.

?I think that attack really blinded him?? Alia proposed in a rather uneasy tone.

?j-Just at what degree do you mean Al?? May asked as further uneasiness grew in her system.

Roxanne merely shook her head at the situation. ?It was your own carelessness that caused that Hiromi! Do you see what your playfulness caused??

The upstart students agree with their teacher.

Brendan frowns at the Gym Leader?s propaganda. If Roxanne knew the heavy risks of such a move?then why even unleash it.

Feeling that its trainer?s lesson went on long enough, Nosepass decides to rely on its Custom Tactic Spirewave once more.

May runs at full speed successfully able to grab and protect Leaf from the finishing attack, barely avoiding the attack herself only resulting in the reopening old wounds and creating some new ones.

This act made by one who claims to hold disdain towards Pokemon was quite a shocker to everyone. But a relief for Brendan.

?Hey! No butting in on a battle!? Karen screams at May. Just entering the room herself.

May didn?t listen nor care. Standing up despite the pain. May looks at her now disabled Pokemon allowing the blood that oozed freely from her forehead to drip on her Pokemon?s body.

Leaf weakly nuzzles the familiar feel that is May and weakly smiles at her with contently. May looks at her ally, no her partner, her friend. Hugging him softly, she then recalls her to his ball for rest.

May?s head was still downcast to the ground as she walked back to her corner. Calling out Tsunami as her final monster.

?May?? Alia timidly asked her owner.

From where Brendan stood a sudden chill went up his spine. ?May?please don?t tell me?that side of you is awake again.? The boy mummers.

Roxanne also felt that spine tingling chill that actually causes a trickle of cold sweat to run down the young woman?s face. ?Oh, so you haven?t learned your lesson with the fire bird??

As Roxanne was about to lecture May more, Nosepass was bombarded with strong Ember shots. Though fire is weak against rock even Roxanne could see that attack was starting to hurt her monster, it even burned him.
The Gym Leader of Gaia utterly froze in her place when she took her eyes off Tsunami and on May, who glared her down with cold feral eyes.

?N-nice trick Hiromi!? Roxanne yells, getting some of her composure back. ?But it won?t alter the end result?

The Nosepass launched another Spirewave, but this time Tsunami was its target.

A strong shield suddenly appeared around Tsunami yet she was still engulfed in the attack. Now the attack came in May?s direction.

The 13-year-old stood in her place, allowing the stalactites to cut every part of her exterior body. Luckily none of the stalactites pierced through her skin deep enough.

May stood there, blood rushing from every one of her exposed cuts. Only her right hand was raised over her head that held Alia protectively, her left hand despite the heavy wounds and unimaginable pain grabbed the nearest stalactites and crushed it.

Roxanne cringed in disgust at this. ?? Guh! Are you some kind of masochist!??

To the upstart students, what was going on was INSANE!

Some vomited and cringed in disgust suddenly wanting to be doctors. Some looked on with sparkling eyes and wanted to become trainers more than ever. Other?s just bet on who was going to win.

Nosepass is again bombarded with Ember attacks this time, however; they?re much stronger.

?Masochist? Me?? May spoke in a cold voice. ?No, I just wanted to endure the same pain as my Pokemon?I?m just lucky that Protect is an actually effective move.?

Tsunami the Torchic wriggles through her supposed stalactites tomb, becoming bloodied and cut from the earlier assault.

Little sparks of flames spurted all about the chick Pokemon. May begins to look a bit bewildered by this act.

?Don?t be alarmed May!? Alia calms the already feral girl. ?This is natural of the Torchic family to do.?

?Explain.?

?Once beaten to inch of their life the Torchic family will undergo their special ability known as Blaze. When this defense mechanism kicks in their fire attacks are stronger by 1.5%!?

A red aura emanates from her as she gives a sharp tooth grin. Her feral eyes practically turn into slits. ?It looks as though our training is finally paying off!? May then turns her attention to Tsunami. ?Tsu! Run at Nosepass with full power using Peck as your guide now!!!?

Tsunami nods at her trainers command and begins to charge at Nosepass at full speed.

Roxanne just wrinkles her nose in a very annoyed manner. ?Getting desperate are we? Nosepass! Rock Tomb!?

Nosepass does what it?s ordered, however; it fails to get the Chick Pokemon in the tombs grip since her velocity began to increase as she ran, kicking up the flames around her orange body in the process. This sight surprised Roxanne a lot.

?So it?s speed increased?No big deal just a lapse of strategy. Nosepass! Stardust!?

Nosepass attempts this move as well but the increasing flames around Tsunami acted as a shield and turned the glitter in sand.

Finally reaching the peak of her speed, Tsunami the Torchic took off like a horizontal flaming meteor towards Nosepass.

Nosepass desperately launched one final Spirewave at the Chick Pokemon who rammed her way through the attack, turning all the stalactites she passed into glass.

Though the attacks were weakening Tsunami, she continued to plow through. Much similar to Nosepass who grew more and more psychically drained from Custom Tactic it used.

?THAT?S THE WAY! WIPE IT OUT!!? May confides in Tsunami.

?I KNOW YOU WON?T FAIL ME NOSEPASS! GIVE IT YOUR ALL!!? Roxanne cheers her Pokemon on.

?ROXANNE!? The students scream out to their mentor. ?C?MON DON?T LOSE TO THAT BRAT! THE SCHOOLS HONOR IS AT STAKE!? Karen wails.

?GUYS!? Alia screams just as loud. ?Please?? Ciel pleas. ?j-just j-just- Just don't lose yourselves!? Brendan mummers fearing the worst.

Tsunami collides into the Nosepass, nothing sand random stalactites could be seen.
---------------
(Screen is black and Brendan narrates)

[And so the fight ended as a draw. But since No one really lost Roxanne thought it?d be the honorable thing to do to at least give May a badge for her determination and strategy. May offered me the badge since it was because of me she got involved in this mess. But I refused it. She went through too much for all of her efforts to go in vain.]

[May and Tsunami both got rushed to their respected hospitals for a few days to treat their wounds. Though they got out lucky our little adventure did end on a bittersweet note...]
--------------------
(Pokemon Center)

?I?m sorry May?? Nurse Joy sighs sadly as fully washes Leaf?s eyes. ?But your Pokemon will be considered visually challenged from now on?? The pink haired Nurse then puts a pair of Black glasses on Leaf. ?Well, they say that when one sense dies the others get stronger??

?Hey?don?t take it so hard little guy?? The chestnut haired girl spoke softly trying to comfort her Pokemon, though he oblivious to what?s going on. ?I mean Brendan is practically near-sited and he lives happily.?

An X-shaped vein pops on the left side of Brendan?s head. ?WHAT!? I?m not blind!?

?Really?? Nurse Joy turns to the boy distrusting as she points to graph on the wall. ?Then what does that say??

Brendan squints eyes. ?Umm?X?th-that?s a two, no or is that a C? That one?s defiantly a circle! Umm wiggly line?Um is that five moving!??

?No, that?s a period.? Nurse Joy spoke exasperatedly. ?I want you to come with me young man?? The no-nonsense Nurse grabs Brendan by his ears and drags him off much to his dismay.

May just watched her friend?s plight and chuckled heartily to herself.
----------------------
(Rustboro City entrance)

The duo known as May Hiromi and Brendan Birch both stood in front of the Rustburo City entrance.

The two haven?t seen each other in a while and what was supposed to be a quiet reunion turned into a rather harsh misunderstanding between Brendan?s friend and his classmates.

To top that off, Brendan witnessed May unleash the much-revered Custom Tactics: A powerful specialty technique that only high-ranking Pokemon trainers could ever wish to harness.

Brendan?s classmates did nothing but envy May for being able to wield it? Why, she?s just a rankless nobody who only heard about the Custom Tactics like what? A month ago? But here she goes able to wield it like a pro. Brendan on the other hand, though a little bitter himself deep down, he wasn?t too surprised at May?s display.

After learning of what she went through as a child? Such battle adaptability is to be expected. Besides, he was just happy to know that May survived that insanity.

?So where you off to now Bleach?? May asked her white haired friend.

Brendan didn?t answer immediately. He was too busy groaning about the fact he has to wear glasses now. ?Well? I figure I?d just head to LittleRoot and show Dad all my newly added Pokemon pages. How about you??

?Well Roxanne nearly begged me to check out the trainers school to further hone my abilities even if for a day?? May closes her eyes and places both arms behind her head as she continues talking. ?I don?t think I really care to listen to her though.?

?Then that means she?s gonna go.? Brendan inwardly chuckled to himself before talking to May. ?Then you should visit Dewford Island. There?s a Gym there that focuses on Fighting Pokemon from what I?ve been hearing lately. If you wanna go there you?ll need a boat so if I were you, I?d go see Mr. Briney located back in Route 104. He should be able to help you. Well, later.?

May says nothing but watches her friend go. Whirlpool the Zigzagoon then happily runs to May and climbs on her shoulder.

?Well, where have you been?wait a minute?? May quickly grabs Whirlpool by the tail and shakes him until a wallet falls out of his fur with the name Brendan Birch on it.

?Oh no! Brendan!? May attempts to call out to her friend. ??Never mind.? May sighs. ?I?ll just mail it to him?somehow??

Whirlpool innocently tilts his head to the right with a playful smile on his face.

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont
-------------------
(Days later)
(Location: Unconfirmed Route)

A very sophisticated woman and her butler ran from a rampaging Shiftry.

?I say madam shouldn?t we just let the hungry creature take our food?? The butler suggests. The sophisticated woman scoffs. ?And then what will we eat? We don?t even fully know if it?s hungry!!?

The Shiftry makes a desperate slash at the picnic basket and cuts the woman on the hand.

?Ouch! Fine then! You want it? You got it!?

The woman throws the picnic basket at the Shiftry hitting it between the eyes. The Pokemon, now angry tossed the basket aside and lunges at the duo.

?Peck?

Tsunami the Torchic crashes into the Shiftry beak first, causing the annoyed Grass-Type to crash land in the opposite direction of the chick Pokemon.

?Wow?who is that?? The woman exclaims as she stares at May?s confident figure in pure interest and awe.
------------------
Chapter 7- Fairy Rain
-----------------------

?It?s rare when you see a low level final form Pokemon rampaging about.? May?s over-talkative Pokedex Alia implies. ?Perhaps the gene pool must have sped the evolutionary process on this one.?

?Who cares? He?s about to come home with me.? May answers as she scans the Shiftry. ?Level 20...Ok Tsu we gotta weaken him fast! Ember!?

Tsunami uses Ember on Shiftry who leaps over the attack and throws the little leaf he holds in his hands like a boomerang at Tsunami, successfully hitting her. The Shiftry snorts at his foes.

?Confident are we?? The 13-year-old gives a little smirk before she turns her attention to Tsunami. ?Tsu! Circle around it and don?t be so careless this time!?

Tsunami rolls her eyes and does what she?s told the rushes at it with Peck. The Shiftry scoffs at his foes predictable behavior and is ready to pull a trick of his own.

Tsunami now throws Ember catching the Shiftry off guard. The Pokemon hits the ground with a loud ?thud?.

May now uses the Shiftry?s immobility her advantage and throws her Pokeball.

The Level 20 Pokemon gives a smug little grin and pulls out a smoke bomb before the ball could make contact.

Though it was a bit of a blur, May and Tsunami could have sworn they saw a red figure swoop right into the smoke and then fly out. As the smoke cleared the only thing visible was a broken Pokeball.

?Chh Torrrr!? Tsunami growls.

?It got away again!? May griped.

?Was it me or did my sensors pick up another presence?? Alia adds.

?So you think that pain isn?t alone??

?I?d probably have to say so?unless it truly is a master of stealth.?

?All the more reason I want it more?? May grins. The chestnut-haired girl quickly notices the sophisticated woman looking at her starry-eyed. ?Can I?help you??

The woman gives an excited little shudder before blurting out the words: you?are?PERFECT!!!

May is very weirded out by the woman?s behavior and slowly backs away. ?For what?? The girl queries rather nervously.

?Wait! Please don?t run!!? The woman pleas, yet, continues her introduction. ?My name Tomoyo Stone, proud wife of the owner of the Devon Company and President of Blossom Perfume. I think you?re the one I have been looking for all this time to become my daughter?s Pokemon Tutor.?

?Come again??

?My daughter lacks confidence?I mean she cries at the drop of the bat. She?s so innocent, pure, na?ve and caring. But she?s so timid. She never wants to tell me anything. Probably because I?m not hip with the times ya dig?? May says nothing. Mrs. Stone continues. ?Well, she?s an amazing student, a born child genius much like her older brother who might I add, is Regional Champion-Oops that one slipped! Don?t tell my husband! I want to surprise him.?

May raises an eyebrow but chooses her words carefully. ?Then why not just ask your son? I?m kinda busy??

This left the woman gapping. ?b-But he?s hardly visits with his journeys and all and I do not wish to disturb him?He might always be my little boy but he?s a grown man now that lives on his own!? The woman then pulls out a handkerchief to lament her sadness. ?I hope he?s eating well??

?What a spastic lady?? May mused mentally as she continued backing away.

May didn?t get very far though. As she continued her backing away she bumped right into the Butler who had a very stone-like expression on his face. How he got behind May when he was next to Mrs. Stone since the beginning of this chapter? That?s something that not even I know.

With the Butler blocking May, Mrs. Stone was able to get closer to the girl and clasp May?s hands into her own. ?I know with your help my little Mia would grow up big and strong! I know you?re a very busy woman from what I can see but you can?t travel without food or money?? The woman then grins slyly. ?And I?ll handsomely reward you with both as well as a place to stay for the time you?re with us.?

?She?s got us there.? Alia states bluntly.

May realized this was true. She wasted all of her money on Potions, Balls, very breakable training items, and an occasional CD or two that she has nothing left. In fact, she and her team haven?t eaten anything decent in days.

May watches in disapproval as Tsunami, along with Whirlpool and Leaf (who popped out of their balls) all help themselves to the remains of the food in the picnic basket.

It probably didn?t help that May?s stomach growled as well. ?Well? That?s a kind offer you made. It sounds? very?nice??

?I knew you?d see things my way!? Mrs. Stone beamed happily as she grabs May by the wrist. ?Come on! To my house!?

She and her butler drag May off. May?s Pokemon all follow suite.
-----------------
(Mansion Inside)

May was amazed at the size of this place. She suddenly felt out of place here.

?May don?t be shy.? Mrs. Stone kindly assures the girl. ?You?re doing me a favor huger than you think. I want to help my daughter?but if she doesn?t open up to me?She could at least come down to eat I fear she may starve??

May didn?t realize that the situation was that bad?Giving a little sigh May spoke to the saddened woman. ?I owe you a lot too?so just consider it even.?

Mrs. Stone brightens at the kind girl. ?Thank you so much Maymay!? She smiled as she gratefully hugs May.

?Maymay?? The 13-year-old mutters with a shudder.

?Please go upstairs and talk to Millie whose waiting for you. She?ll tell you the rest. If Mia can?t talk to me then perhaps someone about her age group can??

May walks up the long flight of stairs. There she met Millie the maid, Millie hands May a tray of food and instructs her to see if she can get Mia to eat something before she wastes away.
----------------
(Mia?s room)

May slowly walks inside the dark room and hears feint sniffling.

?I?m sorry?but I?m not hungry right now?please leave me be?? Came the young voice of Mrs. Stone?s daughter Mia.

May?s expression softened a bit. ?You have school today?and you need your strength for the day. So eat if not for yourself then for your Mom.?

?I?do not feel well? I think my stomach hurts?? Young Mia states bluntly. ?I think I should stay home today. No point going to class sick.?

?Then your stomach will feel better if you eat!? May snaps.

Mia realizes that the voice isn?t that of any of the servants and pulls her blanket off of her. The girl looked about ten. Her face was smeared with tear smudges.
The child?s usually Indigo eyes were cluttered with redness, a pure sign that she had been crying again.

Sitting up to look at May reveal her long dark blue hair was ruffled and disarrayed. The girl wipes her tears and turns to May.

?Oh! You?re not Millie or one of the maids?? Mia realizes. Very embarrassed at how she acted so childishly in front of a guest. ?I?m soo sorry! Where are my manners?? The girl struggles to stand up and face May before she gives a respectful bow. ?My name is Mia Stone. It?s a pleasure to meet you.?

Mia then looks at the older girl unsurely. ?I?m sorry to ask?but?if you?re not a maid then why would you want to talk to me??

?I was hired by your mother to be your personal Pokemon Tutor. My name is May Hiromi.? May gives the younger girl a plastered friendly grin. ?But right now?? May gestures to tray full of food. ?You need to eat!?

??I?m honestly not hungry!? The 10-year-old tries to convince the 13-year-old stretch but bends over in pain. May says nothing and pushes some pancakes in Mia?s mouth.

?No buts.? May states in a practically motherly tone. ?Unlike the others I?m not afraid to force feed you.?

Mia blushes slightly and takes the fork out of her mouth. ?No need?I-I can feed myself??

Mia lightly takes the tray and eats quietly.

?Oh my gosh! She?s so adorable!!? Alia squeals.

Mia looks at the talking contraption very much interested. ?Is that the new Pokedex Daddy?s business is about to distribute??

?Yup,? Alia brags. ?The program to end all programs. My name is Alia. It?s a pleasure to meet you little Mia. You obviously have a good eye.?

?Heh nice, now she?ll never shut-up?? May jokes while giving a little smirk.

Mia isn?t much of the joking type. Feeling she did something wrong, the 10-year-old looked to the floor with downcast eyes.

May had almost forgotten that Mia was so easy to be broken. It kinda reminded her of a girl she used to hang around back in Johto.

May quickly tries to make the younger girl feel better about herself as she ruffles her already messy hair. ?You can?t let every little thing break you. Once you finish eating Mia you have to get ready for school. Or would you rather quickly get into my training regime??

?Uh?y-yes?But?Miss Hiromi?are you coming with me? -To school I mean.?

?I have a hunch to why you?re this way?and if my hunch is right?I?m cutting the source.? May replies in a serious tone but then quickly gives the girl a reassuring smile. ?But for now you eat up and think about the fun you?ll have training??

Mia flashes May a small reassuring smile. The 10-year-old was never good at making friends and she knew that deep down this was a waste of May?s time.

?She is quite nice?but she?ll only dislike me when she sees how pitiful I am?? Mia thinks to herself dejectedly before giving a sad sigh. ?But do I have to train??

End chapter 7
-------------------------------------------------
Now I bet your saying: You lamer what are you doing!? Trying to turn an already bad story into a freakin? sue?

Well, since I have no obvious idea what sue means I?ll go ahead and explain why I created the character simply because I like to hear myself chatter.: First of all I wanted someone who deeply understands the pressures May underwent as a child, yet at the same time, unlike May, I wanted my OC to not fully know how to deal with it?

Brendan does have a very famous father but as explained, Brendan doesn?t care too much about the perspective of others (Thanks to people who balance him out like Mrs. Birch) and wants to pursue his Father?s expertise anyway.
So, Brendan might be ignorant to the fact of what May goes through, but you?d be d-mn sure he?d do everything in his power to sympathize and comfort a friend.

I choice the Stone?s as my OC target since we know jack-squat about Steven anyway (aside from the fact that he?s an amazing trainer and his father owns the Devon Corp. and for some bizarre reason out of all the trainer within Hoenn he seems to hold a strong favoritism for your character over all the others.) Since in my perspective the Stone?s seem like very successful people. Even if they weren?t as forceful (if at all) as May?s parents, they must have great expectations and a brimming amount of pride in their children.

It?d still be a real pain trying to live up to achieve the same status your entire successful family has obtained?

I just want all my characters to balance each other out to some extent.

This and this alone was why I?d ever break the Canon. (As if I haven?t already Heheh?)

Next- Chapter 8- Caves of Protest
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Notes)

Another final note about the Custom Tactics: Tsunami?s Custom Tactic named: Flare Peck can only be used when she has the Blaze ability active and uses the moves: Protect and Peck in unison. Thus it?s considered a desperation move. Again I expect a ?WTF!? Reaction but I?m sorry?

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Warning!- This chapter contains light attempted suicide and masochism luckily none of it happens that?s why it?s called attempted.

Disclaimer-I don?t own Pokemon or anything else.
------------------------
(Location: Path to Rustboro Pokemon Academy)

Mia, in her school uniform walked besides May who was dresses in her usual adventurer attire.

?Hiromi-sensei?? Mia began. ?Thank you for escorting me to school?I appreciate it?but?you might find it hard to get in??

?Oh I have my ways of influence.? May smirks as she flashes an invite pass.

?Ah! That has Roxanne?s signature on it! Hiromi-sensei? Are you a friend of Roxanne?s??

?You could say that we crossed paths.? May answers flatly. ?And in that crossing we whipped her soundly and earned us a gym badge.? Alia brags.

?You beat Roxanne!?? Mia spoke in utter awe. ?Wow you must be horribly strong?I knew you looked like a competent trainer but I never thought you?d be that good?? Mia stops her observation of May when the 13-year-old stopped in her place and stares at her. ?Ah! I-I didn?t mean it like that Hiromi-sensei I-I ??

May walks off the dirt path and into the grass just to face Mia with a grin on her face.

?No problem. It?s only natural that you?d doubt my strength. Ok Mia, so I?ll just prove myself to you. Let?s battle.?

?AH! Wh-what!? Battle! Here!?? Mia stutters as she tries with her might to worm her way out of the battle.

?Chill out Mia.? The 13-year-old replies with a face fault. ?Think of it as spar I won?t go that hard on you?but I want you to go all out on me.? May then throws her Pokeball. ?Leaf!?

Leaf the Shroomish pops out of his ball. Mia looked at the Grass-type with utter confusion in her eyes. ?Hiromi-sensei. Why is that Shroomish wearing Black glasses??

May brightens. ?Oh, he?s visually challenged. But don?t take him lightly he?s actually one of my roughest riders.?

The fact that May walks around with a Pokemon with a handicap is thoughtful Mia thought but making such an innocent creature fight?

?C?mon Mia call out a Pokemon.? May snaps at the 10-year-old with an impatient tone.

Mia doesn?t like the idea of it, but calls out her Treeko, which she named Hiro. Hiro the Treecko stood in battle pose ready for his Trainers command.

?Hiro!? Mia screams at her Pokemon in utter disgust. ?You can?t hit him! He?s wearing glasses! And he?s blind! Where?s your shame??

Hiro looks sympathetic until Leaf taunts him.

Whatever Leaf said pretty much left the Tree gecko Pokemon steamed. Not even paying attention to Mia?s ?orders? he rushes at Leaf and throws a punch. Which Leaf easily sidesteps.

?How?d he do that?? The Indigo-eyed 10-year-old gasped.

Hiro was now really mad now. The Tree Gecko Pokemon ran at Leaf at full speed before launching at him with a heavy Pound attack.
Leaf simply jumps over the attack and bounces off Hiro?s head allowing the tree frog Pokemon to literally eat dirt. Hiro didn?t let up he continued to attack Leaf and injure/humiliate himself in the process.

?Uh Hiro?please be careful?? Mia squeaked nervously.

May just glares at Mia very irritably. ?What?s with you?!? May screams at the girl. ?Your Pokemon could get seriously hurt if you don?t get it together!?

??sorry?I-I?m not cut out for this?? Mia spoke softly in shaky voice. ?I-?

?Leaf enough.?

Leaf stops and turns to his Trainer. Hiro stood back confused by this.

May was a bit disappointed with Mia as she walks up to her. But remembering how fragile the girl is was the only thing that got her to keep her cool.

?What makes you think you?re no good?? May questions her. ?You look like you got a lot of potential.?

Words that Mia was so used to. She couldn?t stand it! Why couldn?t anyone ever be honest with her?

Mia?s hair overlapped her eyes while watery crystals that lightly hit the ground as it rolled off of her face. Feint sniffling could also be heard coming from the girl.

?y-You?re too kind?but let?s face it?? The 10-year-old smiles weakly. ?I?m worthless! I don?t know why Mother tries so hard into making into something I?m not nor will ever be!? Mia screams at May, Lifting her head to show all the tears that pour out of her eyes loosely. ?Why can?t she just accept that I?m no where near as good as you or my brother!?

May didn?t argue the girl?s feelings. She was in the same boat when she was younger. Always trying to convincer her parents to accept her dreams, her wants?but to no avail?

?Please excuse me Hiromi-sensei!?

Mia excuses herself as she runs down the path to school. Watery crystals glittered from her eyes as she ran.
------------------
(Mia?s thoughts)

I don?t understand! Why does everyone go out of their way to help me? Is it because of who I am? I?m useless! And I?m just a crybaby.

I can never become like my brother! We?re two different people! Why won?t anyone see and accept that!? While he?s the one that everyone lays proud of?I?m just a giant book and nothing more.

Why can?t they be proud of what I can do?

Be proud of my talents?but then I just remembered?I?m only just a living book after all. So? I should start acting more like one.

Books don?t eat nor do they sleep. They just lie there until found useful by someone?
--------------
(Rustboro Pokemon Academy)

Mia opens her locker and sees her broken mirror shard, which she thought she cleaned up. She picks it up and looks at it?

?A book in the end always grows old and no longer useful in the end anyway...So what?s one page??

Mia attempts to cut herself with it until May?s strong hand pulls the glass out of Mia?s hand.
May then slams the 10-year-old into her own locker before slapping the girl on the face heavily.

Mia had a shocked expression on her face, since no one has every hit or yelled at her before.

?Do you think you?re the only kid on this entire planet who under goes the pressures you do?!? May growls at the younger girl, tightening her grip as she continued to speak. ?Everyone, including myself have our own issues but you don?t see us wanting to take the cowards way out. Get a grip on reality!?

A light scowl appeared on Mia?s features. ?I am a coward??

?No you?re just afraid! Too lost in the thought of appeasing others that you?re too nervous to spread your own wings! Who are you??

?I?m a useless book!? Mia sobs.

?No! Who are you??

??I?

???

??I don?t know??

?You?re a very lucky girl who lives in a very loving environment and the people around you only want what they feel is best for you.? May?s replies softly as she releases her hold on Mia. ?But you have to help them show the path to the way that you want.?

?May-san?? Mia spoke in a hushed mummer. ?You are too kind??

?No, I just don?t want others to go through the torture similar that I had to undergo??

?So what should I do?? May gives a little shrug. ?Anything that doesn?t result in me coming to your funeral.?

Mia gives May a fond smile. ?Right??

?Look you don?t have to undergo the training if you don?t want to. I won?t force you.? May reasons with the intelligent yet suicidally depressed 10-year-old. ?But you gotta learn how to at least speak up for yourself. Or are you going to let that girl and her friends keep teasing you.?

Mia was dumbfounded at May?s correct guess. She wasn?t anywhere near her all day. ?She?s good.? The 10-year-old thinks.

?Ok then.? May replies as she gives a little grin. ?No more complaints then. We?re gonna train.?
----------------

And so they did. Much to May?s content Mia really did have full-blown encyclopedia knowledge on Pokemon. This made training a lot easier since Mia already knew the battle flow, she couldn?t take the strain of battle.

Mia was also surprised when May asked her about the Custom Tactics. Ever since Tsunami unleashed her Custom Tactic against Roxanne she couldn?t do it again and May was dying to learn how to master this skill.

Though Mia never thought it possible unless you were at Roxanne?s level of power; she helped May understand what she heard about the basics of Custom Tactics regardless.

Two weeks of training have passed and May felt it finally time for Mia to show her what she learned?

And whom the better guinea pig than her schoolyard torturers.
------------------
(Location: Rustboro Pokemon Academy)
(Pool)

?I still can?t believe little Mia wants to fight.? A tough looking 13-year-old girl named Jill smirked.

?Jill just make this battle short and sweet.? Jill friend Sophia sighed.

?This is Mia were talking about this will be fast.? Jill?s second friend Sheena snorts.

?Ignore them?? May calms the rather intimidated Mia. ?Just focus on the battle. I?ll back you up if needed be.?

?r-Right!? Mia nods as she throws her Pokeball containing a Bulbasaur she nicknamed Daigo.

Jill, being the one battling smirks as she throws her Pokeball containing a Ledian who was ready for combat.

?Daigo! Leech Seed!? Mia orders her Pokemon.

The Bulb Pokemon shoots a tiny seed from the hug bulb on its back launched in Ledian direction. Ledian easily flies higher into the air and evades the attack.

?I don?t even have to make an order to finish a weakling like you off.? Jill smirks contently.

The Ledian flies down at Daigo the Bulbasuar at full speed until he only seems like a blur that deliberately misses its target. In reality, the Pokemon found it more enjoyable to fly circles around the Bulb Pokemon eventually getting him dizzy.

This alerts Alia?s sensitive scanners.

?May?the movement pattern?? Alia points out to the 13-year-old. ?I know?? May confirms as she grits her teeth. ?We found our little blur??

?Daigo! Don?t look directly at him!? Mia orders before she further emphasizes. ?Think of all the times you practiced with May-san?s Whirlpool!?

Daigo snaps out of his confusion and begins to close his eyes. Gathering all of his focus into one point. Two little vines slowly began to slither from under his bulb.

The Ledian grows tired of cat and mouse and dives down for the kill.

Daigo successfully ensnares his foe with his Vine Whip, stopping the Bug-type in its place.

?Don?t you know anything!?? Jill chides beginning to emanate with a clear aura.

The Ledian also begins to glow with a clear aura then swoops down at Daigo. It looks as though he disappeared for the moment until he?s seen giving the Bulbasuar a heavy Headbutt.

Daigo releases his viney hold on Ledian as he?s sent tumbling backwards with little Health Points to his name.

?Pathetic.? Jill rolls her eyes at the 10-year-old. ?Bet you were too busy playing dollies and reading books to realize a true battle.? Jill smirks as she turns to May. ?You?d agree with me right? Experiment #079106X??

May looks at the girl in a distrusting manner.

?You?ve already forgotten me?? Jill gives a toothed grin as her eyes go feral. ?I was you?re cellmate after all? You always were weird.?

?I?d rather not remember my past thanks.?

Jill looks at May rather annoyed. ?Its not like you can ever really run away from it.? The girl shrugs. ?Then again, you should feel proud! Not many of us were able to get it so lucky??
Jill then licks her lips as a Shiftry; the same Shiftry May has been hunting down for about a week now drops down next to her. ?Shiftry and I had so much amusement starting up enough of a commotion to get your attention Miss I want to conquer my demons. Watching you trying to catch him was too funny?? Jill flashes her fellow Crop Kid a wicked smile. ?You?re really a low rank??

Mia looks at May rather worried but when looking into her friend?s eyes all she saw were the same cold feral eyes that Jill had.

?You?you?re one of those freak children that Mrs. Smith taught us about?? Sophia spat out in disgust as she backed away from her former friend.

?Point?? Jill coldly queried. ?y-You?re different!? Sheena screams. ?You?re a freak of nature that obtained the gift of the devil! Did you take that antidote to cleanse yourself??

?Mia!? May called out to the 10-year-old gruffly. ?I?ll take it from here!?

May then calls out Tsunami the Torchic who ruffled her feathers, ready for one tough fight.

Mia looks at May sadly before shaking her head. ?May-san? I-I don?t care what you are?you were kind to me and that?s all what matters.?

May was as caught off guard as she wasn?t? Ever since she came to Hoenn she?s met one kind-hearted person after another.

Mia then turns to Daigo the Bulbasaur. ?I?m sorry Daigo?but I have to borrow your strength just for a bit longer??

Daigo nods and staggers to his feet. Mia happily heals him with a Potion.

?Psh, you want more!?? Jill scoffs. ?Fine then! Ledian! Shiftry! Attack!?

Both Pokemon do as their told, rushing at the Bulb Pokemon with thoughts of no mercy.

?Ah! Hiro please back Daigo up!? Mia panics as she calls out Hiro the Treecko.

Hiro pops out of his Pokeball and stands by his ally ready for anything. Just when either side were about to make an attack a giant black beam of energy struck the area where Jill?s Pokemon stood, instantly annihilating them.

?Ledian! Shiftry!!? Jill cried in horror as her feral eyes turn into slits. ?Who did this?WHO DID THIS!??

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont.
----------------------
From the huge brick wall that separated the school and the pool, light chuckling could be heard.

Everyone in the area turns to see a pale looking girl about the age of fourteen dressed in a long black cape that hid her skin-tight navy blue body suit, yet reveals her navy blue boots. She had long raven black hair, which fully did complement her fierce topaz eyes that always remained cat-like. The war paint markings on her left cheek hints some kind of tribal reference around her.

Despite her fierce looking demeanor when she began to speak her voice was very gentle.

?You think you are gifted?? The raven-haired girl spoke. ?So why did your weak Pokemon die so suddenly to my attack??

May was locked in self-thought as soon as this newcomer made herself known. Mia, on the other hand, was shocked at the death scene. The girl unconsciously falls to her knees as tears swelled up in her eyes.

A lot of the spectators, including Jill?s so-called friends back away from this. Jill herself was starting to realize the side costs of the serum. She was unable to move anywhere.

?You are nothing more than experimental reject trash! And you shall be thrown out as such!? The girl spoke in a more seriously now, gesturing to her Duskull. ?Shin, Hellwave.?

The Duskull named Shin obediently complied with his master?s command and threw a strong Dark energy beam towards Jill.

Nothing but a burned spot where she stood was left of her. This was what enraged May.

?That doesn?t give you the right to take her life!?

Strong Ember shots are launched at the girl and her Pokemon. The girl just smirks to herself as a strong dark shield appears around her and the Duskull protecting them from Tsunami?s attack.

A Misdreavus, the one who created the shield Custom Tactic known as Life Aura, floated on the girl?s left.

?Why thank you Mirai.? The 14-year-old smiles. ?I don?t think I needed your assistance on third-rate trainer garbage but your concern is appreciated.? Mirai the Misdreavus nods.
?Now?? The raven-haired 14-year-old continued to speak while eyeing May. ?I don?t take kindly to nobodies sneaking up on me like that??

The girl glows with her powerful black and uses it to create a shock wave at May and the crowd knocking them all on their backs. ?Free not lesser, you won?t die. So for your safety I will not reveal my name to you. Doing so only means I will hunt down and eventually kill you.? The girl smiles mischievously. ?Bye bye all. You never saw me.?

The raven-haired girl with the wild Topaz eyes jumps off the wall. Her Pokemon follow her.
------------------------
(The next day)

?Are you sure I can?t implore you to stay for a bit longer Maymay?? Mrs. Stone frowns.

?I?m sorry but I must continue my quest. I have to? But thank you so much for everything. Say ?Bye? to Mia for me.?

?Of course. Good luck Maymay.?

May waves goodbye and turns to leave.
-----------------------
(Location: Unconfirmed Route)

::BEEP BEEP BEEP::

May pulls out Alia from her phanny pack.

?Still thinking about that girl?? Alia asked the 13-year-old.

?Yeah?? May nods. ?She?s defiantly like me and Jill. But at the same time she?s different.?

?Hmm. Yeah, well one things for certain she what you call a Crop Kids reaper.? Alia cautioned the girl before continuing. ?There have been a lot of rash disappearance incidents happening to serum induced children like you lately.?

?I know?? May replies. ?But why would someone who was also affected with that serum do this??

?Know thy enemy and know thy self.? Alia replies knowingly. ?However, since you were given the antidote in larger doses by overprotective parents your other nature is practically sealed off until you become stressed out.?

May frowns slightly, forcing her A.I. Travel companion to choose her next words carefully.

?So? what now??

May scratches her chin. ?Well?I?ve been hearing rumors about a bunch of rowdy trainers who keep picking fights with people down by Route 116??

?Sounds good to me.? Alia agrees. ?More data.?

?May-san!!!? Came the familiar voice of 10-year-old Mia Stone as she ran down the path to catch up with May.

May stopped in her walk and turned to Mia who put her hands on her knees to catch her breath.

Mia wore a very loose long sleeved Pink shirt that went up to her knees and under that was a smaller fit long sleeved dark blue shirt. This complements the ankle length dark blue dress she wore with casual walking shoes.
On the 10-year-old?s back was rather hefty book bag. In her Indigo eyes was curiosity and hope.

?Oh, hey Mia.? May greeted blankly.

Mia gives the older girl a small smile. ?Erm?I wanted to thank you?for taking care of me?? The girl then eyes Alia unsurely. ?c-can I see Alia for a sec.?

May hands Alia to Mia who in turn, spends about an hour or so taking apart and tweaking the A.I. Travel companion.

May was rather nervous about this at first, but from the way the Indigo eyed 10-year-old worked, she seemed to know what she doing.

When the work was finally completed, May examines Alia, whose processors loaded a lot quicker than usual. May also noticed the added pages of a few Grass and Steel-type Pokemon.

Mia looks to the ground to hide her embarrassment.

?Mia?? May began coolly. ?Is there something you want??

Mia gathers her courage to bring herself to her words. ?I want to come along??The 10-year-old admits. ?I don?t think I could ever see myself the way you or anyone else preserves me as but?? The child smiles. ?I want to help you however I can.?

May looks at the girl with a small grin creeping on her face. ?Did you tell your Mom about this??

?I-I left her a note.?

?It?s a start.? May comments as she turns to leave. ?Come on. We got a long walk ahead of us.?

?Where to??

?Dewford?

?We?re gonna walk!??

?Yeah, like I can walk on sea or air. You?re way too easy?

?May-san??

?Now this is an interesting group.? Alia chuckles.
---------------------------
(Route 116)

?Tsu! Ember!?

Tsunami the Torchic unleashes her attack, easily defeats the junior trainers Poochyena.

?Puh-lease! And these guys were so well hyped.? Alia scoffs.

?Erm?May-san?? Mia asked the 13-year-old very concerned. ?What about??

?That Indian giver got himself into it he can get himself out!? May huffs. ?It?s his carelessness that caused that thief to steal his goods. Not our problem!? May looks at Mia thoughtfully.

??I?suppose?? Mia considered reluctantly.

?Wait, you said thief? As in that shady looking dude in red?? The defeated Junior trainer queries. ?I saw him run in the direction of the Rusterf cave.? The Junior Trainer then gives a little snort. ?Dude must be a total newb. Everyone here knows that cave is blocked and shall never be cleared.?

?Why not?? Mia quizzically asked the trainer.

?Well, You see that cabin over there?? The Junior Trainer points out. ?Those body builder dudes were actually tearing down the walls in the cave to open an easy access path from Rustburo to Venderturf but the Pokemon in there couldn?t take the noise. They protested man!? The boy sniffles. ?It was beautiful.?

?Come on Tsu! Mia!? May addressed her friends in a harsh tone. ?Were paying that cave a visit!?

?But May-san you just said-?

?I changed my mind!? The 13-year-old snaps before calming down. ?Now come on.?

Mia and Tsunami confusedly follows their friend. But what they couldn?t see was May?s heavy breathing.
--------------
Chapter 8- Caves of Protest
------------

The group made it to the cave entrance. There, they saw two men: One was a sobbing old man the other was a young karate man who stood grumbling crossed-armed.

Mia, being the curious child that she is, walked up to the two men.

?Sirs?why are you so upset??

?My name is Mr. Briney? The old man introduced. ?And since I was young, my darling Peeko and I have traveled the seas.?
The old timer then points into the cave. ?But now, that young punk jumped me from out of nowhere and takes off with my dear Peeko?She?s so innocent and carefree?grrr I swear if anything happens to her?? The old man threats as he raises both fists into the air. ?GROOOOOOAAAAAARRRR PEEKO!!!!?

The Karate man shook his head equally annoyed. ?And to make matters worse, that idiot ran into a cave full of Pokemon who are trying to rest!? The martial artist looks at his hands as he mummers softly. ?That?s why I started digging in there with my bear hands? I?m so close?I can smell her sweet perfume?now I may never reach her??

Mia begins to tear up to these tales. ?May-san?? The girl squeaks.

?Spare me.? May cuts the younger girl off. ?If they really wanted something done they?d do it themselves!?

May sourly walks into the cave with Tsunami on her shoulder.

Mia watches her friend very concerned but wastes no time to follow her.

----------------
(Rusterf Cave)

Inside the cave the source of everyone?s trouble: Team Magma Grunt Eggbert, cursed himself as he realized that there was no exit.

Rocks blocked it all. And to make matters worse that bird he grabbed was a Water-Flying Pokemon?Not a good day to be a henchman.

?Aww man this Pokemon is useless and it?s water! Blech! But I bet I can still make a good profit off of it. Now my pretty squawk for help!? Eggbert orders as he shakes the cage.

Peeko does nothing. This further pisses Eggbert off. ?Squawk! Squawk dammit!? The Magma Grunt tries to poke Peeko but the seagull Pokemon bits his finger.

May, Mia and Tsunami all watch the scene exasperatedly. Eggbert eventually manages to pry the gull Pokemon off his finger and throws the cage to the floor.

?You again?? May sighs.

?Keep the stupid bird!? Eggbert pouts as he kicks cage to them. Mia picks it up and releases Peeko.
The Magma Grunt then recognizes May, who he put in his personal skull book as his arch-nemesis. ?Well, well you still want more I see? We?ll this time your luck ran out!? Eggbert cackles as he pulls out a needle full of some odd medicine that May would be able to recognize anywhere.

?Where?d you!? May blurted out, feeling a bit shocked and a bit afraid.

?It?s funny what you can find off the black market.? Eggbert smirks maniacally. ?Such great stuff that they brainlessly give away! Fufufufu??

Eggbert calls out his Poochyena and injects it with the serum.

The Poochyena begins to look more fierce, its teeth and claws grew sharper the fur on it?s body started to stand on in like it?s evolved state while slowly growing bigger and more deadly looking.

The Pokemon now looked like as though the evolution process to Mightyena was halted and was now a cross between its first and final form with bloodthirsty intentions.

The Pokemon gave a loud howl, which caused the cave to vibrate to the sound causing some dirt and rocks to fall from the roof of the cave immediately disturbing the caves only residents the Whimsur.

The beast was finally done with its battle cry; it turned to his foes, teeth bared and ready.

End Chapter 8
--------------------------

Every character I add always has some kind of relevance to the story. Even if their design and/or first-hand appearance is categorized as stereotypical. That girl May encountered is one of those characters that might alter how she sees life as she knows it.

Well that wasn?t so bad? See? Light attempted suicide and masochism. Oh? The name of the girl? We?ll learn more of her sooner or later.

Next- Chapter 9- Surf, Sun and Brawly

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Disclaimer- I do not own Pokemon or anything else
-------------

?Where?d you!? May blurted out.

?It?s funny what you can find off the black market.? Eggbert smirks maniacally. ?Such great stuff that they brainlessly give away! Fufufufu??

Eggbert calls out his Poochyena and injects it with the serum.

The Poochyena begins to look more fierce, its teeth and claws grew sharper the fur on it?s body started to stand on in like it?s evolved state while slowly growing bigger and more deadly looking.

The Pokemon now looked like as though the evolution process to Mightyena was halted and was now a cross between its first and final form with bloodthirsty intentions.

The Pokemon gave a loud howl, which caused the cave to vibrate to the sound causing some dirt and rocks to fall from the roof of the cave immediately disturbing the caves only residents the Whimsur.

The beast was finally done with its battle cry; it turned to his foes, teeth bared and ready.

?Tsu!? May cried out to her Pokemon desperately.

Tsunami nods and leaps at her foe, launching Ember.

The attack had no effect on the beast, which ravenously lunged at the nearest living thing in hopes of ripping it to shreds. Tsunami barely evades the monsters lock-jaw fangs but is grazed by the beast?s powerful leap that knocks her to the floor, leaving her very wounded.

?Mia snap to it!? May screams, while hastily shoving the horrified younger girl to the ground. Both miss the beast?s jaws as well.

The beast, not getting anyone to sink its fangs into someone skids to the floor. Stronger Ember shots were launched at the monster by a now Blaze active Tsunami.

The dog monster irately growls at the Chick Pokemon and rushes at her teeth bared.

May quickly recalls Tsunami to her Pokeball. Scared out of her wits at the thought if she was a few seconds slower.

?Feh. Cowering runt? You should.? Eggbert cockily scoffs. ?Fool.? May growled darkly at the man, angering him.

?You dare!-What!?

The monster once a Poochyena, began to convulse wildly. Its pupils dilated as its nose bled and fur stood on in.

The monster continually shook it head as if refusing to submit to someone or something?s orders. As it did, foam slobbered freely from its mouth all about the room.

?What?is?this?? Mia fearfully shuddered trying her hardest to not scream.

?The same nasty side effects my cellmates and I went through the minute we were given that needle!? May growls before looking at the beast with uncaring eyes. ?I won?t be surprised if it dropped down and died right here??

The monster didn?t do that though, instead, in an attempt to ease the wild pain it underwent; it let out an ear-piercing howl and madly ran about, crashing itself into the cave walls and the many rocks. Anything that would ease the unimaginable torture it was currently undergoing.

It was at this point that the residents of the cave; the floppy eared Whimsur all decided to put their foot down and save their home. The little Pokemon came from all the corners of the caves all for one thing?to stop that rampaging beast!

Working together as one the tiny creatures all piled themselves on top of the rampaging monster, eventually halting its movement and all used the Uproar attack.

?Wow they?re all taking it down. How cool!!? Mia beams.

May?s eyes were wide with fear. The 13-year-old fearfully stepped back in an expectant manner waiting what?s to come?

May?s expectations came true?

With one fierce neck-breaking jerk of its body the beast flung all the Whimsur off of it and immediately began to return the favor of the Whimsurs sneak attack.

May and Mia watched in horror as the beast mauled and ripped apart every Whimsur in its path with its claws and teeth.

The Whimsur kept coming though, they bravely kept pounding and Uproar attacking the beast to make sure that it?s silenced for good making sure such a monster never leaves this cave and harms anyone else; human or Pokemon.

And each one paid for its courage? It wasn?t too long until blood was splattered about the floor and walls.

This entire scene was rather dramatic for little Mia who queasily fell to her knees and began to vomit violently as she chocked between sobs.

The 10-year-old nearly passed out when she witnessed one Whimsur, who was trapped in the monsters jaws, didn?t even bother to scream as the monster closed down it?s sharp fangs into it? The monster even deliberately let the Sound Pokemon?s blood run freely down its jaws as it tilted its head to freely to let itself taste the flowing red liquids from the now dead creature before spitting out the creatures mangled body.

?stop?? The 10-year-old pleas as more Whimsur got mauled. ?Stop!? Mia mummers in a more stern tone. The monster stomps its sharp claws down on an inspecting Whimsur.

A twinge of rage began to grow in the usually quiet young girl as she thinks back to the earlier blood spray. ?I?I don?t care if it wasn?t your fault you?re like this?? Mia spoke in a practically distant manner. ?I?ll never forgive you?I?LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!!?

Mia angrily throws her Pokeball containing Hiro the Treecko.

?Don?t be stupid!? May yells at her enraged friend.

Mia was too disgusted by what she had witnesses to even care about her own inabilities at that moment. She just wanted to see that heartless, horrible creature pay for its crimes.

?Hiro! Pound!?

Hiro lunges at the monster with Pound attack. Some Whimsur who just arrived to the fight followed suite.

The beast quickly Headbutts Hiro heavily, causing the Tree Gecko Pokemon to fall to the floor very much injured.

The beast seeing something new immediately lunges at it.

Whirlpool the Zizgzagoon quickly grabs his Grass-type ally and rushes him out of harms way. The beast is then bombarded with Uproars, Leaf?s absorb and Peeko?s Water Gun.

The power hungry Team Magma Grunt known as Eggbert just watched his freakish creation beat the snot out of such a large number of foes with ease. This scene made him feel powerful, almost unstoppable?No! He felt invincible! As if there was not a being alive who can cross him!

And expect to live?

?Nnh! Ghk! ? Heheheheheh! Look at that!? The insane Magma Grunt points out. ?None of your pathetic Pokemon can even put a dent on mine! Now fight on my monster! FIGHT!! TEAR THEM ALL TO SHREDS!!!?

The beast did just that. Sinking its teeth into a Whimsur, who got too close, shook it like a rag doll then tossed the mangled body to the left.

At that moment Whirlpool bounced off the exact wall that Whimsur was tossed to and came down at the beast with the Cut attack. The beast counters this move by ramming the petite raccoon Pokemon to the exact wall it bounced off of; sounds of broken bones can be heard during the impact.

As the bloodthirsty monster was about to step in forward for the kill, Daigo the Bulbasuar?s Vine Whip tied itself around the monsters neck.

The beast attempts to break free from this grasp but Hiro jumps on its head and begins to continual trounce it with Bullet Seed, many Whimsur joined in with Pound. Peeko continually pecks at the monster while Leaf stands from a safe corner trying to drain the life of the creature with Absorb.

May runs over to Whirlpool who flashes her a small sympathetic smile.

Wrapping the petite raccoon Pokemon in her arms as she cradles him, May looks apathetically at the dying Whimsur next to her. ?This is what happens when that serum is used?? May growls to herself as she turned to the ongoing battle.

The monster manages to shake all of his foes off of him. And jerks his body enough to pry the Vine Whip off his neck, causing Daigo to tumble backwards; however, the monster doesn?t attack.

This time its eyes rolls into the back of its head as it shakes furiously allowing blood, his blood to drip freely from his nose and mouth.

?What? What are you doing!? What?s happening?? Eggbert asked in utter shock at the site before him.

?Stop pretending to care?? May answered coldly. ?You knew pretty well what was going to happen the minute you gave that Pokemon that garbage!?

The monster shakily turned itself to the man that did this to him. The rage in its eyes said ?You?you were the one who did this to me!? The monster makes one powerful leap at the Eggbert aiming for his throat.

?w-wait!? Eggbert pleas. ?I?m your master! NOOOO!? All the Grunt could do in his fear was use his hands to shield eyes.

May stood in front of the man as the beast made one last dying cough of blood that came from its throat.

The group looks on feeling bittersweet as they see Tsunami use her Custom Tactic Flare Peck to literally blow a hole through the monsters belly.

Tsunami sickly collapsed as an aftermath of her actions.

The beast looks at May with a sympathetic whimper as if thanking her for putting it out of it and everyone else?s misery before falling to the floor dead. A pool of blood oozed from under the freakish monster.

Eggbert, horrified at the entire events made a run for it.

May, in all her frustration, sets Whirlpool on the ground and is able to grab the Magma Grunt by his odd costume. The girl then punches him in the back of his head forcing Eggbert fall to face, yet he still attempts to drag himself away.

Team Magma Grunt Eggbert manages to crawl outside and it looks though he was home free?

That it is, until a very angry May stood in his path.

?And you still care for no one but yourself!? She growled at this poor excuse for a human.

May kicks the man in the face causing him roll sideways. His right eye now blinded from the kick.

?Seriously I-I didn?t know! I honestly didn?t know!!? The Magma Grunt pleas.

?Now who smells fear?? May asked the man in a cold vicious voice.

?wh-What are you??

May ignores the Grunt?s question and leaps at him with all intents to kill. Tsunami?s Ember attack forces May to pull away to avoid getting burned.

Mia, carrying Tsunami, while Daigo the Bulbasaur used his Vine Whip to carefully lug Whirlpool, along with Leaf and Hiro ran out of the cave. All of them exhausted, but ready to confront their now out of control companion.

?May-san please don?t!? Mia desperately pleas. ?You?ll only be sinking to his level!?

May turned to Mia with cold, cat-like eyes before she gave a sharp-toothed grin. ?Me? At his level? Heh heh heh heh HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!?

?Little girl I understand your anguish but two wrongs don?t make a right!? The Karate man (who conveniently was waiting by the cave along with Mr. Briney) tried to reason.

May didn?t listen, nor did she really concern about reason. She was too busy laughing like a maniac to care what anyone said to her.

It was this action the serum consumed chestnut haired 13-year-old made that caused Mia to freeze up in her place.

?That laughter?? Mia remised to herself. ?That sick cold laugh?Onii-chan made that too??
--------------------
(Flashback. Five years ago)

A 14-year-old Steven kicks down some potted plants while wildly swing around a sharp metal pole breaking many things laughing like a cold-hearted maniac.

?Steven! Get a hold of yourself!? Mr. Stone yells at his deranged son. He then tries to grab Steven and inject him a type of medicine.

As a response, Steven punched at both his eyes, permanently damaging them. The man falls to the floor holding both eyes his bloodied eyes in horrible pain.

?Dear!? Mrs. Stone shrieks as she ran to her beloved?s side.

Steven uses this to his advantage and swings the pole at her and makes a deep cut in her back.

She too, falls to the floor? And only two feet from her husband.

Steven chuckles coldly as he steps on his father?s face, deliberately letting his father?s flesh grind against the cold floor. The 14-year-old also continually used the pole to swing at his mother who could only shield her face.

Steven stops his actions the minute little Mia walks in the room confused about the noise.

?Onii-chan that doesn?t look very fun?? The 5-year-old mummers before she takes note of the wickedness in his eyes. ?s-Steven???

The 14-year-old looks far from pleased at first until a cruel smile planted itself onto his features. ?Come here little sister?? Mia doesn?t respond too busy trembling. Steven to now approaches her. ?I won?t bite?I just want to give you something??

The 5-year-old might be in her days of childish belief but she wasn?t stupid. The girl slowly but surely backs away from the situation thinking of nothing but running. This only enrages Steven. ?COME HERE YOU LITTLE BRAT!?

Mia screams and tries to run. Her brother being older and having longer legs than her easily catches her and begins to strangle her.

(End Flashback)
----------------------

?Now I?m seeing it all again?why?May-san stop!? Mia mentally realized before yelling out to May. ?Stop!?

May easily takes down the Karate man and begins to use his face as a personal footstool that she allows to grind freely on the cold grassy floor.

?It?s just like then?? Mia continued her self-thought as she watches May, who gave loud primal screams as she presses both her arms which bled freely.

?May-san please?? Mia pleas lowly.

Of course May didn?t hear her. She was too busy continually stomping on the Magma Grunt who tried to flee the scene.

Mia wants to do something for her friend; the same way she told her that she wanted to come along with her to make herself of use.

However, watching this scene while images of her childhood flashed through her mind; Mia felt far from these feelings right now?

Sensing the air of fear behind her, May ignores the Pokemon and turns to Mia with a cold smile.

The 10-year-old fearfully backs away from the older girl. What at first was fear turned into a rush of adrenaline forcing the usually passive girl to stiffen and slap May, who was dangerously close to her.

Of course the 10-year-old?s actions was a shocker to all her companions more or less. The one who was most shocked though, was the one she hit.

May glares wide-eyed at the younger girl who completely froze in her place.

Why run anyway? The girl thought; As far as she was concerned she tried to stop her friend and failed miserably.

It was this reasoning that made the 10-year-old close her eyes and smile warmly at her 13-year-old friend despite all her fear.

The next thing Mia realizes is being thrown to the floor by a heavy blow to right cheek and May jumping on her just to strangle the life out of her.

To the 10-year-old?s surprise May pulls away from her. From the way the chestnut-haired girl was currently behaving; one would say it was similar to that of the slain monster.

With quick movement the Karate Man knocks the self-feuding girl out cold before she goes on a further rampage.
---------------------
(Scene Black screen Mia narrates)

?. It was just like then?Onii-chan also stopped his assault on me in the same manner because his true self fought for control at the last moment giving some of the butlers time to pin him down and inject him with the sedatives.

Though all of our Pokemon were heavily injured, Whirlpool was injured the most in combat and had to stay in the Pokemon Center for a couple of weeks longer than the others to treat his busted ribs and other broken bones.

May-san who was a total wreck about what had happened.

Despite this, we did get the important documents stolen from my Father?s company and was later asked to deliver a package my brother? whose currently exploring in Dewford Island.

Being praised as a genius of the family, Steven was said to create his own natural antidote that, ever since he took it, permanently be rid him of his nasty side effects from his days as a Guinea pig as a Crop Kid.

I?m personally skeptical about it? but?

Mr. Briney, grateful for our rescue of his beloved Pokemon Peeko the Wingull offered us a ride across the seas to complete our mission, and most importantly get rid of May-san?s wild half once and for all!

-------------------------
(Route 119)

A very injured Eggbert ran down the mountainous path of Route 119.

Though he didn?t realize it he just ran by a girl with a war-paint marking permanently plastered on left cheek, long black hair and cat-like topaz eyes was currently sitting on a nearby rock enjoying the scenery with many wild Pokemon playfully running around her.

When Eggbert finally realized whom he had passed, his running pace increased dramatically.

He didn?t get far though, right in front of him a small twister kicked up knocking him to his rear, replacing the twister was the Disaster Pokemon itself Absol who glared at Eggbert smugly.

?You know what they say when an Absol crosses your path?? The girl giggles.

The girl walked over to front of Eggbert smiling mischievously. In her arms she cradled an injured Skitty who was abandoned by its trainer.

The Skitty looked at Eggbert in its usual Skitty face until the little cat Pokemon opened it?s usually closed eyes and bared its fangs at him.

?Pokemon are amazing creatures aren?t they?? The girl spoke as she pets the Skitty, who returns to normal. ?They can literally sense things that humans never can.? The raven-haired teen then throws the Magma Grunt an annoyed look. ?Only third-rates choose to receive stolen powers!?

??wait a sec!? The man tries to bluff. ?I didn?t know honestly!?

?Liar.?

?Seriously Angelique! I?d never lie to you!-? The Grunt cuts himself the minute he realized his mistake. ?Wait! I didn?t say your name! I swear!?

The girl who was named Angelique glowers at the man most ominously. ?You disgust me??

?Please wait! Don?t kill me! Do you think your some kind of God!?

?God?? Angelique quires as she gave a small mean smile. ?Of course not. I?m no blasphemer! I should just be the only one...?
The rather, full of it 14-year-old turns her back and leaves. Absol follows her. ?Don?t worry I forgive your mistake. You?re only human after all?but my Pokemon don?t take insults to me lightly?or weaklings. Isn?t that right Cerberus??

From high up rock a fierce looking Houndoom is seen. It?s red eyes glow fiercely as it lunges down at Eggbert jugular first.

?Kill him if you want, I don?t care.? Angelique bluntly tells her Pokemon before going into self-conservation through narrowed eyes. ?But?that strong spine tingling feeling I felt weeks back?it was strong?could it even equal mine?No?no one is stronger than me??

Angelique breaks from her thoughts as she looks at Skitty which snuggled itself against her.

The raven-haired girl then turns to the Absol smiling. ?Yami, we?re going to go on a little quest ?kay?? Yami the Absol nods.

?The prize of this quest: A pool of blood under that who dares to rival me.?

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont 1
--------------
(Route 106)
(Mr. Briney?s boat)

It was a breezy and sunny day in the aquatic Route 106. You could feel freshness of the distant waves.

In the captain?s stable Mr. Briney hummed a sailing song to himself as his loyal friend Peeko the Wingull perched herself on his right shoulder.

Mia was inside the boat resting, while May was out on deck leaning on the edge of the ship watching the waves in deep thought. Tsunami the Torchic loyally perched herself on May?s left shoulder, her face having the same expression.

May?s Pokedex Alia, was placed on a lounge chair. Though she wanted to say something to change the dreary mood she didn?t know what to say for once.

Mia walked out on deck rubbing her eyes after a good nap. Seeing her friend standing there the 10-year-old immediately frowns. Like Alia before her, she didn?t know what to say.

Mr. Briney just watched the events from the captain?s stable and shook his head.

?These kids nowadays?way too serious?But, after what I witnessed I?m not too surprised?? The retired Sailor sighs. ?Smooth sailing from here on my friend.?

?Gull!? Peeko agrees.

Mr. Briney, seeing no real trouble ahead puts boat on automatic and gives a lecherous smile. ?Well I guess it?s time for my reading! Eheheheheheh!? He laughs in a very lecherous old man style before he sits on a chair and pulls out a box of dirty magazines and hentai books.

Peeko just gives an exasperated look before thinking to herself. ?Dirty old man??

Mr. Briney was too busy gawking at the books to realize that Whirlpool was dragging away his safe in the background. Giving a lecherous little laugh himself.

Peeko saw Whirlpool do it? But what did she care? This would teach that dirty old lecher to not read on duty.
-----------------
(Back on deck)

?May-san we?ve almost reached Dewford.? Mia replies to the older girl with a warm smile.

?You could stop lying Mia?? May dryly answered.

?b-but we are??

?No, I mean you know the risks run by hanging out with me so why do you continue to!?

?My brother is a Crop Kid like you?If I survived living with him then-?

?But he wasn?t given the serum like me and all the other Experiments-Xs were. And that age group ranged from five to eight.?

?Well,? Mia began feeling lightly insulted. ?With all the years Onii-chan was there which was a lot longer than you were held there.? The girl emphasized. ?He most likely was pumped with stuff that could all accumulate to have similar effects of the serum you were given.?

?I?m not comparing stats Mia! I?m being serious!? May yells at the 10-year-old. Banging her fist against the board lining in the process.

?As am I.? Mia spoke calmly before her eyes soften. ?May-san?you?re my friend and I don?t have many of that?? The 10-year-old admits. ?I don?t want to leave you alone to suffer when I know you?d never do that to me??

May suddenly feels horrible about what she said to the girl. She knew Mia meant well?but?

?It?s not your fault. It?s mine?? May admitted. ?I let myself get controlled by the serums effects. I thought I was under control and all this time I was wrong!? The 13-year-old stares out to the sea through narrowed eyes. ?You were right?I?m truly the one who?s no better??

?Then stop fighting with the reasons of just winning and over powering your foes on your mind!? Alia snaps, making both girls turn to her. ?Did Roxanne?s words shake you up that much??

This gives Mia an idea and she sits on the floor crossed-legged. ?Ok that settles it! May-san you?re in some desperate need of mediation!?

?No?no, I?m not?? The 13-year-old mumbles.

?C?mon May-san it?s not like brooding will do any good. I promise it?ll be fun.?

Tsunami jumps off May?s shoulder and joins Mia standing on one foot chirping happily.

?Traitor?fine?? May sighs. ?What do I have to gain but inner peace??

?See it?s working already!? Alia exclaimed. ?May?s already acting like her cynical self again.?

?Oh, ha ha. I wonder if you?re smart enough to not short circuit if I should drop you in the water?? May cynically scoffs at Alia who quickly shut-up after that.

?Makes you wonder what?s on her mind.? Mia teases before scooting away from May who glares at her in a threatening manner.
--------------

Like the waves, he cuts through the rocks with fierce crackling moves. He is one with sea. Wild like mysterious blue itself and fights with the might of hurricane at its peak. He inherited his master?s belt and is now recognized as elemental master of the fist.
---------------
Chapter 9-Surf, Sun and Brawly
------------------
(The next day)
(Dewford Island)

May and Mia walk out of the Dewford cave a bit disappointed.

?So even though how we see it we still have to fight in the Gym regardless?? May sighs dejectedly.

?Yes?But at least that nice mountain man gave us this nice HM 05.? Mia spoke, trying to look on the bright side.

?In any case?? May frowns. ?We should probably gather some info on this Gym Leader before doing anything??

It was at this moment that a surfer dude walks up to the girls from behind. Offering knowledge of goodwill.

?Know thy enemy and know thy self or at least that how I think it goes?? May and Mia look at him Mia quickly blushes.

The man doesn?t seem to notice that and continues talking. ?Well anyway, I couldn?t help but over hear? You?re looking for Brawly right??

?You know about him sir?? Mia happily asked. ?Can you please tell us??

?It?s always been my duty to help beautiful young ladies?? The surfer grins. ?Who doesn?t know Brawly? He?s the greatest surfer on this Island. He?s also strong, suave and quite the ladies man.?
The surfer dude then flashes his pearly whites at Mia and May, which causes Mia to freeze in her place, May rolls her eyes. ?But it?s no good trying to contact him now.? The dude shrugs as does his Pokemon Makuhita whose been mimicking all his gestures. ?He?s out right now?and won?t be back in for another week.?

?What!? May shouts at the man incredulously.

?But that?ll be too long?? Mia spoke sadly.

Surfer Dude moved by Mia?s fragile state clasps the 10-year-old?s hands into his own. ?Don?t worry little lady. I promise you that I?ll get Brawly back within the hour. And I always keep my promises.? He replies as he gives Mia another pearly white smile.

Mia?s face turns to a deeper shade of red as she spoke?or tired to. ?I-I erm?th-th-I don?t know what to say ?unnn? thankyousomuchyourtookind!!?

May crosses her arms at the fellow, obviously not falling for his flirtations. ?Hmph, You seem to know a lot about Brawly almost like you actually were him. Brawly??

The Surfer Dude, or, should I just say Brawly lets go of Mia?s hands and scratches back of head sheepishly. ?Sorry but I?m just a childhood friend?? He lies. ?Just because I have these gorgeous blue locks, this cover boy face and this sweet Makuhita like Brawly doesn?t mean I am him!?

May raised an eyebrow. ?Funny?I never knew how he looked like till now.?

Brawly realized that his cover was being blown; and so, makes the cowards getaway.

?Well?Look at the time!? He laughs nervously while sweatdropping like mad. ?I better find my bud for you nice young ladies! In an hour remember!? He and his Makuhita flee. ?Why don?t you check out Brawly?s gym in the meantime! You?ll love it!?

--------------
(After a short walk later)
(Dewford Gym)

?This is a Gym!?? May gasped.

The inside of Gym of Brawly?s Gym was a giant Skate Park!

Roller bladers and Skate Boarder galore enjoyed themselves on the ramps or just plain having fun inside the giant dish.

?I wish I brought my roller blades with me now?? Mia mummers.

It was at this point that a quite loud Battle Girl named Emily shoved herself through the crowd and to the where May and Mia stood.

?Out of my way you skate junkies!? The Battle Girl bellowed as she shoves some more people out of her path. ?MOVE! I can?t believe Brawly! He?s gone too far!?

Emily storms to the door in a more frightening pace until she crashes into a kid on a Skateboard.


?Oof! Bozo, what?s your problem?? The rude skater growled at the Battle Girl.

?The place is for skaters only! No loitering lamer!? Another skater mocks.

?Man she?s such a lamer!? The third skater laughs along with his two friends as they all ride off. Leaving the rather stressed Battle Girl to squeeze on her stress ball while uttering ?Big open spaces? over and over again.

It was until a tiny little girl on a scooter rode up to Emily, stared at her for a moment and uses two fingers to make an L-shape while calling her Lamer was what got her fired up.

When Emily was about to snap, May grabs her wrist and drags her outside.
---------------
(A long while later)
(Outside the gym)

?How horrible?? Mia sympathized.

?Brawly?s intentions are well-meaned?? Emily paused in a thought manner before continuing. ?But he?s like a big kid! The only thing he ever took seriously was Pokemon battling and Martial arts?but he?s become so good that there isn?t anyone that could beat him?? Emily sighs sadly. ?I guess when your as strong as him you?d really need no concern and want to retire??

?Onii-chan and Ms. Glacia said the same thing a few times?? Mia agreed. ?While Ms. Glacia is growing too content, Onii-chan has faith. He believes that there is someone out there that can give him the ultimate challenge?and he?s determined to travel the world to find them.?

?Yeah, but Brawly can?t do that even if he wanted to.? May spoke enlightened as she looks at the sky. ?Being Gym leader binds him to this Island.? May finishes her thoughtful words with a little grin. ?But I bet he?s grown too rusty too do anything.?

?Aw I?m not that lazy?? Brawly replied as he walked over to the girls yawning. ?But in reality, things are just way to boring around here is all.?

Emily tosses Brawly a rather harsh scowl. ?Creep! You got explaining to do! What the heck is with you!? Week vacation huh?! Ditch me and go to goof off and womanize will you??

Brawly sweatdrops at Emily?s verbal chastising as he puts up his hands defensively.

?Hey I was only joking around?? The Gym Leader assures his friend while giving a pearly white smile. ?Can?t a guy have a little fun??

Emily and Mia blush feverishly as does the other Brawly fan-girls. All but May, who had enough of this game Brawly was playing.

?Ok Brawly, we waited the hour now you have to battle like you promised.?

A lot of Brawly?s fangirls looked at May as if she was a psycho for saying such harsh things to him. Brawly just smiled it off.

?I did promise to meet you in an hour but I didn?t intend to Pokemon battle?? The Gym leader makes a quick shrug. ?But who am I to pass up a challenge!? Brawly beams happily. ?Ok kid! I?ll take you on!?
---------------------
(Back in the Gym)

?Before we start kid?I wanna know? What gave me away?? Brawly asked the 13-year-old full of interest.

?You mean it wasn?t obvious?? May and Emily spoke exasperatedly.

?It was?? Mia rather blankly asked.

Brawly scratched his chin in deep thought. ?Hmm I really had that disguise down! You must be a real super sleuth. Also I tended to notice how my rugged good looks hardly faze you. I even get Emily who has dense as a rock.?

Brawly, again gives another pearly white smile and all the girls in the room but May blush feverishly.

?Isn?t it obvious?? Alia scoffs. ?May holds a torch for someone else.?

 

[Isaac Gravity]

Cont 2
-----------------
(Mauville City)
(Pokemon Center)

Brendan talks to his mother on the videophone and his entire face suddenly turns beet red.

?Eh?? Mrs. Birch quizzically stared at her son.

?Oh my,? Nurse Joy spoke to Brendan worried as she felt his forehead. ?Are you feeling ok? Perhaps you have a high blood pressure.?

?Huh?? Was all Brendan could say until Nurse Joy shows him his face with a mirror. ?WHAT!?? Was his new response.

Mrs. Birch considers this situation for a moment before a smug little grin appears on her face. ?Heh heh?That could only mean one thing??

Nurse Joy realizes this and gives a wink and thumbs up. ?It looks like someone holds quite the flame for you. Better find her before it?s too late.?
------------------
(Back at the Gym)

?Though I don?t understand why that talking computer can talk. I must admit I?m feeling pretty jealous of the lucky guy.? The Gym Leader mused. ?Heh. You?re like a living breathing immunity to me! I think I like where this is going!?
Brawly now looks at his opponent with a pleased look. ?Tell ya what kid, let?s skip the whole kiddy pool process and dive straight into the adult pool.? Brawly now throws a Skateboard towards Makuhita. ?Ok buddy, time to strut your stuff!?

?Fine well play it hard right from the start!? May confirms as she throws her Pokeball containing Tsunami. ?Go for it Tsu!? Tsunami pops out and ruffles her feathers for battle. ?Ok Ember!?

The Makuhita jumps over the Ember attack and lands on the skateboard, which he begins to ride about the room.

?What?s this!? The chestnut haired girl exclaimed.

?Hehe when I battle I?d like my Pokemon to have fun regardless of the situation.? Brawly informs. ?Battling is real competition but in the long run it?s suppose to be fun friendly competition and recreation for both humans and Pokemon. Remember that?? After his speech the Dewford Gym Leader now turns to his laid-back Pokemon. ?Ok Makuhita time to up the ante!?

Tsunami continued to shoot Ember attacks at the boarding Pokemon, which continued to miss its target.

This was not sitting well with May.

?Having trouble?? Brawly taunts as he turns back to Makuhita. ?Hey! Time to close in for the kill!?

The Makuhita does just that as he tries to run the chick Pokemon down. Tsunami panics and begins to dodge her near literal collision courses with a crazed Pokemon and his skateboard.

As Tsunami fought her foe, an inner struggle began to erupt within May. ?Not now?not now?.? The girl mentally struggles as she becomes dazed and falls to her knees on the floor.

?Hey, you ok?? Brawly concernedly asked May. ?If this battle is too much for you??

?Think of what would calm you! Think!!? May inwardly screams. It took awhile but May suddenly feels peace in mind and stands up. ?I?m fine, just a lapse of courage is all.?

Mia and Alia give a sigh of relief that May didn?t succumb to the serum. Tsunami was also pleased to see her friend is still her old self and get punched by Makuhita who sped by on his board.

?May! Tsu is damaged enough to use special ability Blaze!? Alia informs her trainer before lamenting. ?But what good is it if she can?t even hit her foe? I don?t think Tsu can take another of those hits!?

?Yeah I could tell?? May grumbles. ?Tsu, on my command?wait for it??

Makuhita aims another punch landing right into May?s plan.

?EMBER NOW!? May orders her Pokemon. Tsunami uses Ember on Makuhita who uses his board to flip over the attack and was currently over Tsu?s head.

?Now!? May yelled out to her fire starter. ?Flare Peck!?

Tsunami launches at her foe like a flaming rocket. Ramming Makuhita, destroying his skateboard and sending him to the floor in pain.

?Success!? Mia whooped with joy. Though happy that May was winning Emily still had her concerns for her Gym leader friend. ?Brawly!?

?Heheh. Good enough for you to handle?? May asked the Gym Leader while smirking.

Brawly had a very serious look on his face as he spoke meditatively. ?Remember my comment about leaving the kiddie and jumping right into to the adult at five feet? Well we just moved up by three feet! Hope you know how swim!? The Gym Leader of the fist warns as he glows with an ice blue aura. ?You think you?re Torchic is fast? Well compared to Makuhita it looks like its in slow mode!?

Makuhita also glows with an ice blue aura and gives a little nod. ?Maku!!?

It was at this point May began to smell something that made her cringe disdainfully.

Tsunami doesn?t even need May?s orders to rush at her foe with another Flare Peck.

Makuhita just stood there not doing anything but smiling as Tsunami looked as though she bounced off the fighting types large frame.

Tsunami tumbles over to May with swiveled eyes showing that she fainted. This took everyone aback. Well everyone except Brawly anyway. He just shrugs.

?Geez, I can?t believe you let your Pokemon do the same move twice even if it was a Custom Tactic.? Brawly gives May a light know-it-all smirk. ?Don?t you know anything about originality??

Makuhita mimics his trainer?s actions and gives his own shrug.

?It?s not that?it definitely did something?? The 13-year-old mentally contemplates. ?But what? And why is that smell gone? What could be the point??

?Hey, are you gonna call out your next Pokemon or do you wish to forfeit?? Brawly called out to the very-wrapped-in-self-thought May. ?You mean you?re letting her continue?? Emily queried.

Brawly gives out a hearty laugh. ?Why not?? He comments. ?It not everyday a trainer with the fire in their eyes wants to challenge me. Ok kid here?s the deal: I?ll let you call out two more Pokemon. If you still can?t defeat my one Makuhita then it?s battle over okay? Hey kid??

May snaps out of her thought and blankly looks over to Brawly.

?May-san, Brawly is giving you another chance!? Mia calls out to her friend. ?In fact two more! He decided to let you use two more Pokemon against his one! Try to win!?

Brawly contently nods cross-armed. ?That?s right, you can shower me with hugs and kisses for my kindness a bit later. Right now, I smell victory. Right Makuhita!?

Makuhita nods.

?A clue! He smells does he? I wonder?? May quickly calls out Leaf. ?Leaf! It?s your turn! I?m sorry, but I might need to prove a hunch ok?? Leaf nods to his trainer understandingly. May gives her Grass-type a warm smile before commanding her next attack. ?Flash!?

Leaf shakes himself continually until his bulb-like body emanates with a very bright light. That forces everyone in the room to shield their eyes. Except Makuhita who always has his eyes closed.

?Still too slow!? Brawly mocks as he glows with an ice blue aura. Leaving May to sniff the air for answers.

A punching sound is heard and the light begins to disappear.

All that is seen is Makuhita in a punching position and Leaf lying on the ground fainted from the attack? Whatever it was.

May saw all she wanted to see. ?It all clear now?Leaf, thank you?now I can win this for you and Tsu!?
May turns her attention to Brawly as she addressed him with a smile. ?Nice trick Brawly and then you say I?m not being original? Your game ends here!?

?Really now? If I didn?t know any better I?d say those two were your strongest Pokemon. What makes you think you can win now??

?The answer is as clear as the sweet petal scent that Leaf or any Grass-type Pokemon releases when in a confined space. Go for it Whirlpool!?

Whirlpool pops out from his Pokeball ready for combat. Everyone in the room face faults.

?May are you nuts!?? Alia chides the girl. ?Whirlpool is a Normal-type! And to top it all off his attack is pitiful! And his defense is so bad he damages himself!?

May completely ignores Alia?s lack of faith in her or the raccoon Pokemon and speaks to Whirlpool. ?Whirlpool! I?d never send you into a situation unless I know that you have a 100% chance of winning. Just trust me and follow your nose.?

Whirlpool doesn?t need hear May say these things to her. He?s totally loyal.

Though loyal, the petite raccoon didn't have to go out of his way to utterly mock Makuhita with goading gestures using his tail.

?Phew! The desperation in the air is sad!? Brawly smirks as he again glows with an ice blue aura. ?Makuhita! Put that little guy out of his misery!?

Makuhita nods as he also glows with an ice blue aura. As he attempts another of his supposed one hit finish moves.

The Makuhita stands in a punching pose content with itself until a he gets slapped in the face by a fuzzy tail. The fighting type Pokemon is quickly shocked to see the petite raccoon Pokemon standing on his extended arm grinning playfully.

?Like I said. You?re the repetitive one.? May scoffs. ?But I must admit that was cool trick. Your Custom Tactic increases your Pokemon?s speed dramatically, but the true power isn?t in the speed it?s in the invisible thing we call air.?

?Explain.? Alia flatly demands. May continues to talk.

?Makuhita releases a odd type of scent the minute he uses his Custom Tactic. My guess is a glandular reflex for his body to stabilize the dramatic stresses given on the body.? The 13-year-old implies. ?In a sense the Makuhita is calling his territory. By making that smell it causes his foes to freeze up from the horrid scent. All your Makuhita does from there is defeating it with a few quick blows with the help of his speed increase. Overall it?s just an illusion. Get a grass-type to weed out the odor and your Pokemon is all speed!?

The speedy little raccoon Pokemon precedes the battle and hyperly runs about the room. Makuhita tries his hardest to keep up with Whirlpool's speed and movements but the little guy is too fast.

?Now that?s what I call speed!? Alia compliments.

?And he?s only getting warmed up!? May boasts. ?Makuhita?s not the only one good with illusions!?

May?s bragging caused the usually relaxed Brawly to grit his teeth in frustration.

?Whirlpool Double Team!? May orders her Pokemon.

Now the little raccoon Pokemon runs about the room with five little doppelgangers.

Imagine how straining it must be to see which is the real one of all the copies. It was for Makuhita, who finally became all swiveled eyed after watching the fast paced movement.

?Now Whirlpools! Cut!?

The little Pokemon and his doppelgangers all come down at Makuhita claws first and use Cut, knocking the fighting type to the ground and K.Oing him.

The battle was over. May and her Pokemon won the match.

Mia jumps up and down excited over May?s win.

Even though Emily was a bit sad that Brawly lost she was glad that it happened.

?Good job boy.? May replies as she pets Whirlpool who smiles happily.

Brawly walks up to May. ?Congrats on your win there kid?or was it May that they called you? You are an amazing strategist and your Pokemons trust in your ability is no lie to that.?

?So does that mean I earn my badge?? May asked.

The girl knew it was dumb to ask such a question but Roxanne was rather hesitant to hand over her badge to May even though she knew May earned it.

You can?t be too careful?Even Gym Leaders can be sore losers.

Brawly was not one of them of course. Giving a proud grin he replied. ?Of course?

Though ecstatic for May, Mia was a bit confused about this whole situation. Being the inquisitive young girl that she, Mia quickly decided to quench that confusion. ?But?I don?t understand. How will giving a badge to a person be able to make us use Flash out in the open??

Brawly simply smiles. ?Follow me and find out.?
---------------------
(Dewford Gym backroom)

May stands on top of a platform as a blue and orange light circle around her.

?Ok Brawly, done!? Emily proclaims as she pulls the badge out of scan machine and hands it to Brawly who gives it to its rightful owner.

?Congratulations, May Hiromi you are now an acknowledged trainer of the Stone Badge and Knuckle Badge levels. As long as you hold my Gym?s badge you are certified to use the HM Flash at anytime you wish.?

?I was wondering about that in the games?? May comments.

?Well,? Emily began. ?HM are stronger types of technical machine created by Pokemon League scientists. Unlike TMs, HMs has unlimted use. But to make sure such an item isn?t abused The Pokemon League set rules that only Trainers who mastered a certain Trainers level can actually leech an HMs true potential.?

?That makes a lot of sense now. Thank you for telling us.? Mia politely answers while giving a bow of respect.

Brawly then turns to May and Mia with a sheepish grin. ?I admit I have slacked off a lot!? The Gym Leader then flexes his muscles. ?Last thing I want is to become as lazy and bloated as my teacher Chuck back in Cinawood City?That?d be a waste to this beautiful face and bod.?

Brawly gives a pearly white smile Mia and Emily blush.

?Ok enough of that?? Alia spoke exasperatedly.
---------------------
(Later that day)

May sat by the beach, gazing deeply at the sunset while her Pokemon were at the Pokemon Center recovering from their wounds.

?May I have to admit?? Alia comments. ?You had me pretty scared there.?

?May-san I?m glad that you fought the control of the serum?? Mia considerately comments. Walking out of the Pokemart in the nic of time to join the conversation. ?I guess all that meditaion paid off huh??

May ignored the two and continued to start at the lovely sunset.

?Hey May, lost in thought?? Alia teases. ?Or lost in the source of your inner peace??

?Almost makes me curious to know what it is.? Mia agrees.

?Me too!? The pushy A.I. Travel companion confirms as she begins to question to May. ?So come on May! Out with it? What?s the big secret??

?Were you thinking of a beautiful forest? Or quiet mountains?? Mia queries.

?You were thinking of food weren?t you?? Alia inputs. ?One of your mom?s home cooked meals??

?May-san must be homesick?? Mia sympathetically spoke while looking at May.

13-year-old May Hiromi turns to look at her talkative Pokedex and her good friend. Handing Alia to Mia before she walks to the Pokemon Center. Both arms folded behind her head.

?You two are waaaay too nosy.? She began. ?What I thought about is my business. And as long as I remember that source I think I?ll be fine.?

May then goes to her destination.

Mia and Alia were both confused at May?s comment but Mia could see feint pink tints on May?s cheeks. Thus, making Mia simply smile to herself.

?Right May-san. Whatever you say.?

End Chapter 9

---------------------
Yeah, Lucky May huh? Had it been a Gym Leader like Whitney or Clair from Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal they wouldn?t have been as willing to just hand over the badges.

Oh, About the Makuhita? His Custom Tactic increases his Speed dramatically while leaving a paralyzing odor that only Pokemon or a person with a sensitive nose like May could pick up. When his foes were stunned by his scent he would then use Focus Punch since he?s fast enough to pull a two-turn move in one shot. Although, in Tsunami?s case Makuhita circled around her with his speed and then used Bulk Up along with a regular attack on her.

Next- Chapter 10- His name is written in stone