| abstract | - Brendan and his mother were packing things up after Brendan gave her the news that he would be traveling the Hoenn Region alongside Professor Birch's daughter, May. Treecko sat on the dinner table and observed the two humans talking. While Brendan's mother was going to miss him, she was happy that her son was finally going to be able to do what he had always wanted to do. It would be an exciting time for him and she was sure he would meet new friends and foes alike. "So this is it, honey?" Brendan's mom asked him as she packed the last set of her home cooked meals into his backpack. Treecko's nose perked up and it sniffed the wafting aroma of the hot food. "Wow, Treecko seems to be taking a liking to the food I packed for you." "I guess it likes your cooking, right Treecko?" Brendan asked. Treecko hissed happily at Brendan. "So you're finally off the explore the world of Pokémon?" "Yes, mom, and I couldn't be more excited!" Brendan hopped up and down. "I've been waiting for this day for so long, mom!" "I know you have," Brendan's mom chuckled and handed him his backpack. "Anyways, I have everything you'll ever need in here." "Thanks, mom." Brendan gave her a thumbs up and strapped his backpack on his shoulder. "Yup, this feels just about right." "Wow, I can't believe that my boy is going to be a Pokémon trainer," she said as she wiped a tear off her cheek. "I'm so proud of you." Just before Brendan could open his mouth, there was a knock on the door. Brendan hurried over and opened it to find May standing on the other side, adjusting the bandana on her head. While he appreciated May for offering him company on his journey, he still didn't know her enough to call her a friend. "Oh, hey, Brendan!" May smiled. "Are you ready to leave, yet?" "Yeah, I just had to pack my things up," Brendan answered. "Bye honey, I love you," his mother sniffled and kissed him on the cheek. "Do great things!" "I know mom..." Brendan groaned, wiping off her kiss. "Bye mom!" After leaving Littleroot Town, Brendan and May were finally able to make their ways through Route 101 and into Oldale Town. Being a very small town no bigger than Littleroot, the pair didn't expect to stay there for long. Brendan, however, wanted to visit the Poké Mart for the first time before they continued their journey into Petalburg City. "Do we really have to go visit the Poké Mart?" May groaned. "The sign in the town entrance even says that they're out of all battle equipment apart for Potions..." "Hey, I need to study up as much as possible," Brendan replied defensively. "It's not like there's anything to learn from a Poké Mart." Brendan ignored her and continued his way towards the Poké Mart. To him, it was even more impressive in person than it was in the pictures. May, on the other hand, just facepalmed as she followed her traveling companion inside. The walls of the Poké Mart were lined up with various Pokémon merchandise. The aisles were filled with various toys and books featuring Pokémon for children. There was another aisle dedicated to Pokémon medicine. However, the only things that the aisle had on sale were Potions. "Hey, this place really isn't that bad," she shrugged. "Yeah, if only it wasn't so empty," Brendan agreed. "You two look like rookie trainers!" A voice exclaimed from nearby. A man walked over to the pair and handed them two bottles. "Have two free Potions on me!" "Oh, cool, thanks!" Brendan took the Potion. "Awesome, thanks!" May took the Potion, as well. "Remember to always shop at the Oldale Poké Mart!" The man said before walking away. "So should we get a move on our journey?" Brendan asked when the man was out of earshot. "I really want to get to Petalburg." "I think I know where we should go..." May commented with her eyes glued to the map. Brendan and May shrugged and walked out of the Poké Mart. If they wanted to make it Petalburg City before sundown, they had better head out as soon as possible. Spending time in Oldale Town was pointless as it had nothing much to offer them apart from free Potions. They figured that the west exit into Route 102 was the best way to go as it was mainly an open road which led straight to Petalburg. The pair continued into the wilderness of Route 102, which seemed to look a lot nicer and cleaner that the previous Route 101. If anything, Brendan wanted to explore the area and try to find as many rare Pokémon as possible. May, on the other hand, still had her eyes glued to her Hoenn map. She scanned all of the routes and cities to make sure that she could plan their journey out carefully. "It says right here that Petalburg should be the next city," May informed Brendan as they continued walking. "And after that we could move on to Rustboro City." "Well then let's get there as fast as possible!" Brendan exclaimed before picking up his pace. "Slow down there, cowboy," May pulled Brendan back. "I'm pretty tired and want to go at a nice, slow pace." "Eh, you can be such a bore sometimes!" Brendan groaned and slowed down. "How do you know that?" She asked defensively. "We barely know each other!" The two walked silently through a small grove in the route until they heard what sounded like someone shouting commands. Intrigued at what they heard, they crept slowly until they felt that they were nearby the source of the sounds. "Poochyena, use Bite!" They could hear a trainer shout. Brendan and May pushed some foliage out of the way and found a trainer much younger than them wearing a blue backwards snapback, yellow t-shirt, and blue shorts. He stood in excitement as he watched a battle between two Pokémon; one appeared to be a small hairy canine Pokémon while the other was a small bird-like Pokémon. It seemed that he was using his canine Pokémon, Poochyena, to fight a wild Taillow. "What are those?" Brendan asked and pulled out his PokéDex. "Poochyena, the Bite Pokémon. It savagely threatens foes with bared fangs. It chases after fleeing targets tenaciously. It turns tail and runs, however, if the foe strikes back." The PokéDex said. Brendan quickly pointed it towards the bird Pokémon and waited for it to scan. "Taillow, the Tiny Swallow Pokémon. Although it is small, it is very courageous. It will take on a larger Skarmory on an equal footing. However, its will weakens if it becomes hungry." "Huh, well good luck catching that thing." Brendan told the kid. "I won't need it 'cause I already got this one in the bag!" The kid exclaimed and threw a PokéBall at the Taillow. The ball hit the ground a shook a bit before finally locking up. "Looks like I just caught my second Pokémon!" "So, what do you say we battle it out, then?" Brendan asked. "I'm sure both of our Pokémon could use the training." "Are you kidding me, Brendan!?" May asked him urgently. "You've only ever sent your Treecko out once! What makes you think you can take on an experienced trainer who just caught his second Pokémon? He's going to wipe the floor with you!" "Eh, everyone needs to start off somewhere, right?" Brendan shrugged. "What's your name?" "Allen," the kid answered. "Cool, I'm Brendan, and this is May." Brendan pointed to himself and then to May. "I accept your challenge," Allen stood up to Brendan. "How many Pokémon do you have?" "I've got my trusty Treecko right here." Brendan said and held up his PokéBall. "That's it?" Allen laughed. "You've only got one Pokémon?" "A good trainer trusts his Pokémon regardless of how many he has." Brendan told him. "Besides, it doesn't take much effort to school a kid." "Whatever you say." The two trainers stood on opposite ends of the patch of grass while May stood in the middle side. She held up her arms and pointed at the two trainers. "This is a standard battle, both trainers can use as many Pokémon as they have, " she started, "When a Pokémon is unable to continue, it will be eliminated and cannot be used again. The winner will be determined when all of his opponent's Pokémon are knocked out. Are there any questions?" Both trainers shook their heads and held their PokéBalls. "Let's go, Taillow!" Allen shouted and sent his newly-caught Taillow out. Taillow flew from where it was sent out and landed in front of its trainer. It chirped a few times before looking at Brendan dead in the eyes. "Treecko, this battle is yours!" Brendan shouted and sent Treecko out. Treecko hissed and stood in front of Brendan protectively. It narrowed its eyes as it observed its foe Taillow. "Taillow, use Peck!" Allen shouted. "Treecko, dodge it!" Tailow flew up in the air and dove straight for Treecko. Treecko, however, had fast reflexes and was able to quickly dodge the hit. "Good, Treecko! Now get it with a Pound!" Brendan commanded. Treecko nodded and swung its tail at Taillow, smacking it to the ground. Since it was still freshly caught and had scars from its capture, it could not get up and May ran to its side. After a few seconds, she concluded that it was knocked out. "Taillow is unable to battle!" May shouted. Allen grunted and called his newly caught Taillow back in a flash of red light. He pulled his next PokéBall out and sent it to the battlefield. Poochyena emerged from it and faced Treecko. "Poochyena, use Bite!" Poochyena ran to Treecko and latched onto its tail. Treecko, in an attempt to swing Poochyena off, only made things worse for itself. Treecko hissed and winced as it fell to its knees. "Treecko, get back up and use Absorb!" Brendan commanded. Treecko looked up at Poochyena and then its eyes glowed a deep red. It launched the Absorb attack and hit Poochyena directly. It slowly drained Poochyena of its health with each passing second. "Poochyena, get it with another Bite attack!" Poochyena growled before lunging at Treecko again. "Treecko, dodge it and use Pound!" Brendan commanded. Treecko nodded and jumped out of the way of the Bite. Once Poochyena landed, Treecko swung its tail at it, knocking it out cold. "Poochyena is unable to battle! Brendan is the winner!" May declared, earning cheers from her traveling companion. "I... I lost..." Allen fell to his knees. "It was a good battle." Brendan walked over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Promise that next time we meet, we'll both be strong enough to have a real battle." "I promise." Allen stood up and nodded. "I'm glad I lost. Sometimes winning takes away humbility." "Wow, wise words for someone as young as you," May commented. "Anyways, we really should be going if we want to reach Petalburg City soon." "I agree," Brendan nodded and left the scene of the battle with May closely behind him. Brendan and May finally made it to the gates of Petalburg City. Since it was dark outside, the pair stopped by the Pokémon Center to get a good night's rest. They figured that it would be pointless for Brendan to visit the gym at night and demand a battle from his father. In the morning, Brendan would finally challenge his father to a Pokémon battle and formally begin his Hoenn Region journey.
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