Brandon's Adventure
Chapter 1
Brandon stepped out into the fresh, dew-covered grass of Little Root Town, he saw that the moving trucks were gone and the moment he’d been dreading for all this time had finally come. He hadn’t wanted to leave Rustboro City, but his mum had forced him into moving to Little Root.
“You’re 13 now but you’re still studying at that trainer school! You probably know everything is to know about Pokémon!” She was right, he did know pretty much everything they taught in the trainer school, but the students there were his friends and he enjoyed helping Roxanne with classes. She was a mere year and a half older than him yet she was already a Gym Leader! He admired how hard she trained with her Nosepass and how determined she was.
But Brandon’s sense of adventure had left with his father and his dreams of becoming a trainer had passed into the back of his mind. He resented the way his mother compared him to his father. That was one of the reasons they’d moved to Little Root, she believed that if he was closer to his father, a spark of excitement might move back into him and he would finally pluck up the courage to set out on an adventure like his father.
He kicked the ground in frustration at the fact his mother was right and how she’d taken him away from his friends, but the grassy floor he wasn’t accustomed to only yielded a forgiving softness. Brandon had been cursed with shyness since he started at the trainer school, and with his father over-shadowing him, he rarely left the house for anything.
He silently mocked how small the rural village was, there weren’t any roads or street lights, just his house, his “neighbour’s” house and Prof. Birch’s Lab. He finally set off marching stalwartly towards his neighbour’s house. He flicked open his PokeNav and saw the time to be 10:13 AM, he wondered “What would they be doing at the trainer’s school at this time?” and “I hope Roxanne is managing the classes ok without me” but then realised that Roxanne had taught him perfectly without any help and made him dive even deeper into the pool of his self-pity.
Brandon looked into the grass and trees outside the village exit, to many trainers this would seem like an excellent spot for catching strong Pokémon, but to Brandon, the trees towered ominously over him and the grass patches sinisterly shook and shivered in the slight breeze.
Chapter 2
“HEEELP!” Brandon jumped out his skin, was someone crying for help or had he imagined it? “HEELP! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!” It sounded like Prof. Birch, and his daughter! Brandon froze and pondered what to do, he couldn’t run out into the grass with all the wild Pokémon waiting to ambush him, but he couldn’t let the professor down either. He bravely charged into the grass with a pleading hope that everything would turn out okay.
He came into the shaded meadow from whence he’d heard the Professor’s yelling, he saw a pack of Poochyena howling and snarling in the direction of the Prof. While his daughter had climbed up into the branches of a tree, cradling her unconscious Pokémon.
“Brandon! Thank god your here! Go to my suitcase by the bushes! You should find some Pokémon in their poke balls! Please use them to help us!” He cried out as a Poochyena bit his leg with the ferocity of a real predator, at that moment, all the others started to follow their leader and pile on top. Brandon did as was told and grabbed one at random, he expertly released the Pokémon as he had learnt in trainer school but he hadn’t ever tested it with a real Pokeball and almost dropped it as it shot a fizzling red beam. A small green Pokémon appeared in the shadows, Brandon eagerly awaited the appearance of their saviour, as it leapt from the shadows, he saw its muscular build and powerful tail, it was Treecko!
It majestically arced over the head of the Poochyena’s and let out a volley of its powerful bullet seed attack, knocking them aside with minimal effort. It landed in front of the professor, obviously protecting its friend. Brandon snapped out of the trance the valiant Treecko had put him in and started to command his new partner, “Treecko use tail whip!” The Pokémon did as it was told and athletically raced towards his foes with a vendetta for hurting the professor; it tensed its tail and flipped into the horde of black dogs, making them yelp with each hit of his tail as he span with an almost childish glee. Treecko instinctively leapt into the air to administer the “Coup de Grace” on the helpless pup that’d been left behind as the pack fled.
”Treecko don’t!” Screeched the girl, Treecko craned it’s head to see the Prof’s Daughter with tears in her eyes begging him not to kill the poochyena, he turned back to realise the he was too close to the poochyena to stop, he landed on its neck with intense precision.
Brandon closed his eyes at the inexplicable crunch, the battle-hardened Treecko he’d selected moments before had changed his perspective on Pokémon forever. He felt a horrid heat rising in his throat as these thoughts circled, more accurately spiralled like a falling Pelliper struck down by a heavy dosage of thunder in the pouring rain, round his head...he was going to throw up.
Professor Birch was propped up against a tree, his leg was bleeding profusely. Treecko, unfazed by his lethal power, grabbed a patch of leaves and wrapped it round the professor’s leg. Brandon wiped the puke off his chin and shakily staggered towards the professor as he regained his composure, Treecko had killed a Pokémon, No, he had killed a Pokémon. What scared him was how easily Treecko had done it. It was nothing like Professor Oak’s training videos, he was genuinely scared of this particular Treecko.
“Are you ok?” Said the Professor, pressing his hand to his leg in immense pain, obviously the Professor has seen this happen before. “I’ll be fi...” Brandon gagged as he replayed the moment in his head, the leap, the crunch, the yelp, the silence. He heaved again but held it in, ”I’ll be fine” he repeated, this time not squeaking like a frightened Whismur. “Good,” The Professor continued, ”Then tell May to get out of that tree”. May... the name raced around his mind. “My daughter.” The Prof prompted. He looked up, among the branches and shadows, he could not see May. He looked around, he saw an emerald bandana on the floor of the shaded meadow. A bloody patch had formed around the pup’s mane, May was gone.
Chapter 3
Brandon hadn’t said anything to his mother when he returned home at lunch time, she asked him whether he was hungry, he sat on the sofa and said nothing, she asked him how he was feeling, he said nothing and watched the blank TV screen, she asked if he was tired, he said nothing and slowly ascended the stairs to his room. She sat down and worried about what he’d been doing outside.
Brandon was lying in bed, rewinding, playing, pausing and rewinding the situation over and over again, thinking of things he could’ve done, could’ve said, he imagined himself stepping in and stopping the Treecko from killing the Poochyena, coming off as a great hero in the eyes of the professor, the towns people, May... She seemed so young but yet she was already a trainer. Talk about first impressions, the only other person his age he could possibly make friends with and the first time they meet each other, she watches him condemn a Pokémon to death. He stifled tears in his eyes, he was no trainer, he was just a boy who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; well in his eyes it was like that, he decided to ignore what would’ve happened to the Professor if he hadn’t showed up just so he had an excuse to be sorry for himself.
He rolled over onto his side looking at the Blue clock on his wall, always set at the wrong time, his mother had told him to set it when he moved in and refused to let him get on with his day until he set it, she said it was the first step to settling in. He felt something dig into his side, he scowled and rolled back over and reached down. He felt something round, it was the Pokeball, he still had Treecko... the images flooded back into his mind, he jerked up as if waking up from a bad dream. This creature was his only companion. He released Treecko from the Pokeball.
It instantly hopped back into a fighting stance, then saw there was no one in danger. Brandon looked puzzled as the Pokémon just stood there and looked around listlessly, obviously Prof. Birch only used him as a bodyguard. Brandon clambered out of bed over to Treecko, he sat down in front of Treecko and watched it, it just stood there, looking again every now and then. “Treecko.” Brandon said, the creature jumped and turned around, instantly locking its hands into fists in front of its face. “Wow” Brandon raised his hands defensively, ”I just want to be friends” He said half-sarcastically, half-endearingly, as if he was talking to a toddler. Treecko lowered his hand after a few seconds walked over to Brandon, it sniffed his legs and then sat down next to his leg. He felt it lean against him, he reached down his hand and patted it on the head. He had made a friend.
Chapter 4
“I’m heading out!” Brandon yelled to his mother, “Wait!” She yelled back, “Are you sure don’t want to eat something first?” Brandon stopped, he turned round and walked back into the kitchen. She took this as her chance to talk to him, “So Brandon, what is the matter with...” She stopped mid-sentence as she watched him yank a packet of Oreos from the back of the cupboard and quickly walked back out the open door, she scowled at the now slam-shut door. First he won’t go out of the house, now he won’t stay in the house. She imagined that some people might find her predicament funny, she didn’t like those people.
Brandon started on his way towards the Professor’s lab. He knew he had to talk to someone about this, his mother wouldn’t have understood him so he decided to go talk to someone who had been there. He watched the door slide to the side. He imagined it to be grand like the time his dad took him to the Devon Corp. Building, with many machines and computers. What he found was a ventilated metal shack, a cramped corrugated metal shack filled with several large stacks of monitors, green numbers and letters flying down the screens in long columns, papers piled high in skyscrapers of white. He strolled across the tiled plastic floor towards the desk at the back of what you could loosely call an office. He looked around, he saw Pokeballs, potions and other items of the like, but no professor, no anyone to that matter. Then it hit him, the professor would obviously be at home after what’d happened earlier.
He walked back towards the automated doors when something caught his eye. There was a small blue folder with a sheet on the front that bared the title “Possible Pokedex Candidates”, the title struck him as odd so he picked it up and flicked through the pages, there were detailed profiles of different children in the village, their personalities, strengths and weaknesses and how they were with Pokémon. He found a page with May on it, the Professor had gone on and on about how good she was with her Torchick and how friendly she was with other trainers and wild Pokémon. There was only one con, ”Not a competent Trainer”, it was so harsh, the Professor was her father but yet to be so mean to his daughter, it was unbelievable, until Brandon let out a little giggle and realised why the professor had said that. Even though she’d been a trainer for a long time, Brandon, a boy with no training or skill at Pokémon battling had to wade in and save the day. It was hard not to burst out laughing at the idea that he was already a better trainer than her, he flicked to the next page and was shocked, he saw a picture of himself, the Professor had already made a profile on him. Cons: Hardly any experience with Pokémon, very shy, no personal strengths, can’t control his emotions or his stomach. Brandon felt so insulted and upset that someone would know all his fatal flaws after a few minutes. But then he noticed one thing, Professor Birch has said that he was the best Trainer there and that he was planning to give him a Pokedex. This was the first time Brandon had been motivated to finally leave on a Pokémon adventure.
Chapter 5
Someone was hitting the door hard. “For Arceus’ Sake! Why does this door break so much, I think I need to change the circuitry on this fucking thing” It was Professor Birch, Brandon tutted at his language and then realised that he had his face in a secret document that was so private it had even opinions about his daughter in it. “Shit” Brandon whispered, he looked around for a place to hide, he was then thankful for the professor’s sloppiness; he dived under a desk and poked his head round the edge of paper sky scraper. He heard the door slide open with a buzz of electricity and a dramatic swish. The Professor limped over to the desk and dived into the pile of paperwork, knocking books and folders onto the floor. He picked up the binder that Brandon had been looking at, took out a pen and started to write. “Where is it, where is it, where is it AHH Brandon...” Professor Birch said, Brandon gasped, he was writing on his page, he made sure he would check it in a minu...”Brandon, cons: A nosey little prick who sneaks into the lab and looks in my private papers” Brandon was shocked to hear such a thing written down! But then he stopped being dopey and realised he’d been caught. He jumped up with a scowl on his face as he faced the professor. “Pros, shows initiative, still saved my life” He stopped pretending to write in the binder and popped it down on the edge of the desk, it immediately slid onto the floor.
“So Brandon, apart from to learn my secrets, why are you here?” The Professor sighed, “I suppose you’re ‘raring’ to go on your Pokémon adventure.” Brandon slid his hands into his pocket and looked away, as if he was admitting to a girl that he liked her, which he was in a way, “Actually I was wondering if May was ok, I assumed you would know where she is sooo” “Oh yeah she’s fine” He said without missing a beat, “she shares an emotional bond with every Pokémon she meets pretty much, I’m not surprised she’s upset, that’s the why she’s so great at helping me out in researching, shame about her skills.” Once again, Brandon was even more shocked to hear him say it, “What?” He squeaked defensively, “I know you read her page then why are you looking at me like that?” Brandon shook his head and asked him what he really wanted to know, “So who are you sending with the Pokedexes?” Brandon pretended he didn’t care but it was killing him on the inside, “Well, obviously May,” The Professor said, “And I’m choosing between you and this boy called Joey, he recently moved here from Johto but his only Pokémon is Rattata, he keeps going on about how it’s better than all other Rattata, I don’t how to put it but I think we need someone with an interest in a larger variety of Pokémon.” Brandon pretended to be surprised when he said “You”, “Really me?” He gasped in mock awe, “Okay No.1” The Professor was getting annoyed now, “You obviously read your page so stop pretending you didn’t and No.2 you saved my life, I’ve got to do something in return, and No.3...” He was now starting to wonder if there was a No.3, “You would probably use the fact that you read the binder to black-mail me into sending you.”
Brandon let out his Treecko as he sat on a bench in the middle of the village, after Treecko realised there was no danger it leapt up onto the bench next to Brandon and perched on top of the bench, on the lookout for wild Pokémon. He chuckled and sat Treecko down next to him, putting his arm around the cautious grass Pokémon. A smile had broken across his face, moving to Littleroot wasn’t a bad idea after all.
Chapter 6
Dawn softly broke over the trees into Littleroot Town, Brandon looked out of the window. His alarm wouldn’t go off for another five hours but he couldn’t sleep, anymore, and decided to watch the sunrise. Something was nudging his leg. He looked down to see his tired looking Treecko resting against his leg. Chuckling to himself, he patted it on the head and returned to bed. He lay down with his hands behind his head, he put on his headband and fantasised about what Pokémon he’d catch, places he’d travel and gyms he’d conquer. He imagined the look on Roxanne’s face when his Treecko towered over her fallen Nosepass; he imagined capturing his first Pokémon as he looked at the pokeballs and pokedex on his bedside table; he imagined seeing the treehouse city of Fortree, and as he closed his eyes and fell back into blissful slumber, he imagined his father’s face, beaming with approval.
“BEEP BEEP BEEP!” His alarm clock chirped, he slammed his fist down on it, it’d be the last time Brandon heard its shrill cry. He pulled his trouser-shorts on and felt for the head-band that he realised he’d donned earlier. He peered over the end of the bed to see Treecko lying on a spare pillow he’d found leant up against the wall. He stretched out his arms, rubbed his eyes, and gazed into the late morning sun; Treecko leapt onto the windowsill and searched for what Brandon was looking at, he once again patted Treecko on the head and said “I’m gonna need to find a name for you.”
Brandon gleefully strode down the stairs. “Taking them two at a time I see,” said his Mother, happy to see her son in his better days, “You must be in a good mood.” Brandon gave her his customary nod and silence and sat down. She thought that he’d be different today and talk to her, she turned around to start lecturing him that it’s his last day and he should try show some emotion but then she stopped, today was different. He was smiling.
She had cooked Brandon his favourite; scrambled eggs and pancakes, she never understood this meal, from the first time he grabbed some of his father’s egg and put it on his heavily sugared pancakes, that’d been his favourite, maybe it was because it reminded him of Norman; maybe she only cooked it because it reminded her of Norman. She turned back to the sizzling pan. Brandon’s chair grated along the floor as he pulled out, “You don’t have to leave right...” She turned as Brandon embraced her with genuine affection.
“Goodbye Mom.”
With tears welling up, he pulled away from her. He sniffed, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. He picked up his rucksack. Signalling to Treecko, he walked to the door. He turned to face his mother, the one person who had been there for him his entire life, yet the one person he’d never confided in. The one person he never expressed himself to. The one person who’d he’d never forget. He waved goodbye to his old life, he waved goodbye to his childhood, he waved goodbye to his guardian. And with that, he set out into the morning light. Leaving only a shadow of what he used to be in his wake.
Chapter 7
The trek to Old Dale Town was long and arduous, Brandon had spent the day roaming the enclosed meadow with Treecko, scouring from the earth to the treetops for Pokémon. It was now late, Brandon had set out a sleeping bag under a tree and a campfire with some matches. The late night chills were setting in as he listened to the calls and cries of wild Pokémon. He cursed his luck that he hadn’t seen any in the day to catch but now it was night he’d be kept up by their constant calling. He watched the grass sway and dance in the wind, the calls of Pokémon were their backing track. He listened to the crackle of the fire and saw Treecko keep lookout from a stone a few feet away, confident he was safe, Brandon closed his eyes to the perils and austerity of the outside world.
“Run” Whispered the harsh voices behind him, Brandon couldn’t feel his legs as the wind and trees rushed past him in a blur. “He’ll never make it, a little chubby boy like him.” The voices cackled to themselves, all different but all as one at the same time. Brandon felt tears trickle down his red hot cheeks as he fled from his assailant. “You never were very strong were you Brandon?” That did it, Brandon skidded and stopped to turn and fight, but all he saw were the familiar faces of his family and friends. “Just give up now, I was a fool to choose you.” Said Prof Birch in a demented, hushed voice. “Why don’t you stop this charade and run home to mummy!” Howled the face of his mother. The crowd descended into hysterics. Brandon turned and ran, but hit something hard and fell, he shuffled backwards on his arse, sliding back into the mud. His father towered over him and looked him in the eyes. “You were the reason I left.” He raised a hand and brought it down on Brandon’s head…
Brandon awoke with a jolt, he bashed his head on the tree he’d been leaning against and woke the now frightened the Treecko. “Shit!” He yelled out, several Taillow flew out of the neighbouring trees at his outburst, making him curse even more at the fact he seemed to repel Pokémon. He flipped open his Pokenav and checked the time. It was early morning but Brandon’s dream had frightened him out of sleeping and he decided to set off. He kicked the flickering logs and ash in the fire to put it out, rolled up his sleeping bag and stuck it in his bag. “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” Brandon smirked at the clever saying; now in a better mood he re-adjusted the precariously balanced headband on his head and picked up his still dreary Treecko.
He broke out a tin of Pokémon food the professor had given him and fed it to Treecko. The tiny creature immediately perked up at the sight of food and almost stuck its head in the tin. Brandon giggled and poured into a bowl after having a couple of bites himself. He sat there in open-mouthed joy, it tasted good, maybe it was because he hadn’t eaten since the previous lunch-time but it still tasted good. He whipped out a pack of Oreos and started to munch with the same gusto as Treecko. An Oreo fell onto the floor, normally Brandon would’ve yelped “Five-Second Rule!” before bending down to rescue his snack, if it wasn’t for a quaint but obvious rustling in the bushed across from him.
Chapter 8
He picked up Treecko and shushed it as it continued to work on its bowl. He retreated into the thicket before pushing his head out from the side of tree, he continued to watch the bush, silently hoping for something to emerge. A shaggy head appeared, its black nose nuzzling the floor, blowing the tufts of zigzagging white and brown hair out of its face. It looked up and spotted the Oreo, it took one elegant step out of the bush, gently tapping the floor with its paw. Brandon watched the Pokémon narrow its eyes and tense its leg. He gaped in awe as the tiny racoon like Pokémon shot like a bullet out of the bushes and onto the crumbled muddy biscuit. Brandon signalled for Treecko to climb into the tree. It finished its last mouthful of food and clambered into the branches, waiting to strike.
Brandon turned his head back to the little fuzzy Pokémon and reached for his Pokedex. He opened it and pointed it at the Pokémon. The Pokedex silently chimed and called out in a loud, tinny voice “Zigzagoon, the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon.” Brandon jumped, the Zigzagoon sprang back, white cream and biscuit crumbs coated its lower lip. “Treecko now! Use quick attack!” As commanded Treecko leapt out of the tree, it hit the ground and sprang off its front leg with immense speed, slamming side-on into the Zigzagoon. Treecko ran back to Brandon, preparing to fight again. “It gets interested in everything,” the Pokedex continued. The Zigzagoon barked in an intimidating tone before charging head-on towards Treecko. Obviously not impressed, it sprang up to avoid the Zigzagoons charge. Brandon closed the Pokedex to shut it up before yelling commands. “Treecko use Bullet Seed!” Treecko chewed for a second while the Zigzagoon dislodged its head from the tough bark of the tree.
Brandon chuckled for a moment, ”Perfect…” He thought to himself as the Zigzagoon finally pulled itself free and turned around, teeth bared, scowling at its opponent. Treecko smiled and let out a volley of seeds into the Zigzagoon’s face, it sprang into action and ran in a circle round their make-shift arena. In a daze, Treecko stopped shooting and stumbled backwards as the Zigzagoon stopped running and practically glided across the floor, slamming into it hard in a death-defying tackle by Zigzagoon. “Treecko!” He called out at the sight of his fallen comrade he pulled out its Pokeball and recalled it. He had no idea what to do, his only Pokémon was down and he was locked in combat with the Zigzagoon. He noticed that the tackle had taken more out of Zigzagoon than he thought, in an act of pure instinct he charged the Pokémon and knocked it to the ground.
Brandon hesitated, he felt sick in his stomach as he watched the now helpless Pokémon try to get up. He knew there was nothing else he could do now, the Zigzagoon would only have gotten angrier. He reached to his belt and un-clipped a pokeball. He threw it with all his hope and might. It bounced of the Zigzagoon’s fur before opening and unleashing a red beam onto it, the Pokémon de-materialized into the Pokeball as it hit the floor. Roll, Roll, Roll. For three heart-wrenching moments, Brandon stopped. It was as if time had slowed down, he watched the ball roll, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. The Zigzagoon attempting to escape, there was nothing he could do but watch in mental agony and hope. Click.
Chapter 9
Old Dale was a quaint, little town. It never met the modern age until some up-start business man thought it a good idea to build a Pokémon centre and mart in the middle of town. The elderly townspeople watched from behind closed doors and windows as new trainers charged into town in an effort for healing and potions. Said cocky business man would most likely be bragging to colleagues in some meeting room far away, while desperate shop clerks cower behind counters and occasionally lob potions into the crowd. But obviously at this early morning, Brandon was able to stroll casually into town. But that was not the case.
Brandon was sprinting towards the Pokémon Centre, the redness in his cheeks had spread throughout his face as he rushed Treecko from its battle with Zigzagoon, who was now following behind him as his new companion. Brandon was running so fast the doors nearly didn't have time to open up for him as he slid to a halt in front of the desk.
“Please... help....Treecko..." Using panting as punctuation before sliding to his knees and eventually to face-down on the floor. Falling into a state of half-consciousness, he heard the click-clack of the receptionists supposed high-heels as she frantically heaved Brandon onto the wall seats before running, desperately trying not to trip from her heels, back to the desk, pick up Treecko and head through the now blurry double doors.
Brandon opened his eyes as he felt a soft Tongue against his face. He pushed off Zigzagoon but stroked it after giving him 'nobody wants me' look. It had only been a few hours, he believed, but Zigzagoon had already taken a liking to him. He tried to get up but his legs ached to badly to move. The sprint had taken more out of him than he thought. He felt something dig into his arm as he fidgeted. He gasped heavily in relief to see Treecko sleeping peacefully next to him, no bruises, no cuts or bumps. It looked as if Zigzagoon had been patched up too. It all seemed too surreal at the time. Things were moving so quickly, the perils of his adventure overwhelmed him and he fell back to sleep.
Chapter 10
Brandon awoke, for the 4th time in forty eight hours, on a particularly itchy bed. He sat up and looked around. He found himself in a wooden tiled room. He slowly slid his legs out the side of the bed and daintily tapped the floor with his foot. They didn’t ache anymore. He cautiously stood up and took a closer look around the room. He saw Zigzagoon sleeping peacefully while Treecko used his new companion as a pillow. He hadn’t remembered coming here, he didn’t even know if he was still in Old Dale. He tried to open the door, the hinges were rusty and struggled but he forced it open. He found a single room, just like the one he’d come out of, which bared a small kitchen and a living area with very few amenities. No one was around but yet it was obvious someone had brought him there. He decided to raid the fridge as he hadn’t eaten in a while. He found several tins of the Pokémon food he’d bought and all his Oreos. He didn’t care that someone had obviously gone through his stuff as he was re-united with his cream-filled companion. He took a tin of Pokémon food for Treecko and Zigzagoon and quietly walked back to his room. He sat on the bed pondered what could’ve happened as he watched Treecko and Zigzagoon battle over who could eat faster. He weighed up the possibilities. He could’ve been kidnapped, but then why would he have free-roam of the house and no one watching him? Maybe someone at the Pokémon Centre had given him a place to rest. That was possible. What really mattered was that he didn’t care, after all his toiling, he had made it to Old Dale.
Brandon was on the sofa, watching a day time television show called ‘Wheel of Forretress’. The contestant was yet to spin the wheel but it was obvious to Brandon that she was losing to her opponent. He giggled as she sweated in a questions round. “How much...” Said the orange, smiling host, “would...10 antidotes, 3 potions and a Pokeball cost you?” Brandon worked it out in his head and then yelled at the TV at how outrageously stupid the woman was. “It’s 2100 Poke! 2100 Poke you idiot!” She didn’t work it out in time. Brandon scoffed at how he was smarter than this middle-aged woman. He crammed another Oreo into his mouth as he imagined himself on the TV show. Winning all the rounds, getting the top score on the wheel, being famous for his accomplishment. He was being silly now but it didn’t hurt for him to entertain himself. He kept diving deeper into is fantasy of being famous, all the ladies wanting a piece of him, paparazzi on his tail all the time. He jumped when the door clicked behind him, he propped himself up on his elbow and looked towards the intruder, or possible the one who had brought him there. He gasped. It was May.
Chapter 11
May was here... It was clear now. She had spotted him in the Pokémon centre passed out and brought him here. She had heaved him into bed and nursed him back to health. He felt guilty that he’d been such a burden to her. “Brandon!” She cried in what he could only perceive as joy, “Thank god you’re okay!” She ran over and hugged him. Brandon instinctively put his arms around her as he would to any women who hugged him. After a few seconds, he tried to pull away from her but May only pulled him closer and held him tighter. He felt her push her head into his shoulder as she started sob. “When I saw you in the Pokémon centre,” She cried between hurried breaths, “With Zigzagoon trying to wake you up, I didn’t even think you were alive.” Brandon wanted to stop her digging her fingers into his back but realised that he was now the one comforting her and continued to hold her close. Feeling her breath on his neck; he had never wanted to kiss a girl more in his life. He knew it would be wrong; she was weak and needed comforting, not to be taken advantage off. They held each other for a few more minutes, Brandon savouring ever moment of it, before she calmed down. May pulled away from him, wiping her still red eyes, and stood up. She wiped her hair from her brow in a way that Brandon found irresistibly sexy. She kissed him on the forehead in a genuinely affectionate matter. “Thank you Brandon.” She sighed, her face now burning from what she’d just done and how embarrassed she was. She opened the door, looked back at him and then left. Brandon felt his forehead where she had kissed him and mulled over what had just happened.
May had kissed him... But why? He wondered what it meant to her when she did it. Did she like him? Or was it just plutonic love? Like between brother and sister? He sat there pondering for the best part of an hour until he had minor epiphany. He liked May. He denied it in his own mind at first, pleading to himself that his hormones were the only reason he had a boner after just a long hug. The thought rushed from his mind immediately when he grabbed some Oreos from the mini-fridge and heard the words “Let’s play Wheel Of Forretress!” The moment had passed and the TV was back on. Brandon sunk back into his of obliviousness to the outside world.
The TV show sucked another hour out of his life until he heard a scratching at the bedroom door. He opened the door and was instantly knocked down by Zigzagoon, obviously he’d been trapped in there for too long and knocked down Brandon before crawling on top of him and licking his face. Zigzagoon had a look on his face as if to say “Why are you lying on the floor?” Brandon smiled to see his companions again full of life. He walked back into his room to see Treecko. What he didn’t expect to see was his friend squatting over an already wet patch in the corner. He squealed and slammed the door shut. He rubbed his eyes as if rubbing the image out of them but a more shocking realization was yet to come, Treecko had been squatting. Treecko was a girl.
Chapter 12
Brandon closed the door of his temporary new home and sniffed the morning air. He had overstayed his time in Old Dale and needed to get moving. He followed the signs onto route 102 towards Petalburg city. He was finally going to see his father again. He picked up the pace, giving chase to his intrepid Zigzagoon. He continued to run along the mud-trodden path until he saw something odd. An individual in a blue bandana was heading towards Petalburg City; there was a symbol that looked like a capital A on the back of his equally blue shirt. Brandon thought nothing of it, a lot of people in this day and age wore clothes that reflected their *ahem* personality. “HEY!” A voice called out, Brandon hadn’t noticed at first until he yelled out again, “Hey You! Stop right there!” Brandon wasn’t sure if it‘d been directed at him until a red-faced youngster grabbed him by the shoulder. “Hey...” He panted again, “You’re a trainer aren’t you?” Brandon nodded, still puzzled as to why the boy had run over just to ask him that. “If you’re a trainer,” He continued to grunt and pant, “Then you have no choice but to battle me!”
The trainer retreated a few metres before calling out his own Pokémon. “Come on out Wurmple!” A tiny red worm materialized in the mud. It squealed before rearing up on its hind legs, revealing its cream underbelly in an attempt to increase its size. Brandon smirked as he gestured for Zigzagoon to join the fray. The furry little raccoon Pokémon obliged and bounded over in defence of its master. “Zigzagoon use headbutt!” Brandon called out. Zigzagoon dived forwards, lowering his entire frame to the ground for more speed for the inevitable hit. “Wurmple use tackle!” Yelled the trainer. Wurmple hesitated and was about to charge when Zigzagoon hit it head on. He towered over his miniature opponent, growling as he waited for the Wurmple to attempt another attack. “Wurmple, get back!” The trainer commanded. Wurmple did as he was told and ran back to its trainer. Brandon smiled arrogantly, preparing to defeat his opponent, “Zigzagoon use take down!” Zigzagoon charged towards his adversary, readying itself for the final blow. “Wurmple use string shot!” The tiny bug followed orders and sprayed at Zigzagoons legs. The sticky webbing caught hold and tangle around him. Zigzagoon tripped and hit the floor with the same intensity that he would’ve hit Wurmple with. Brandon stayed calm and returned Zigzagoon. He reached for his only other Pokeball and clicked it open.
Treecko crouched on the floor, ready to pounce. She hadn’t yet her seen opponent but could sense it near her. “Treecko use quick attack.” Brandon whispered in a silent rage. She tensed her front leg and launched off it, using that power to continue her motion. The Wurmple didn’t stand a chance as Treecko sent it flying. It had been a critical hit. Wurmple landed at its trainer’s feet, bouncing slightly as it hit the floor. The trainer took out a Pokeball and returned his fainted Pokémon. “You fought well.” He said inaudibly before scurrying towards the Pokémon Centre. Brandon released Zigzagoon and healed him with a potion, he didn’t look in such a bad way afterwards as the three of them got back on their way to Petalburg City.
Chapter 13
A slight breeze of nostalgia nullified Brandon’s senses as he entered the city. He remembered the times he’d had with his father there. He saw the man by the pond, always staring at his reflection. He saw the Pokémon Centre and Poké Mart. He saw the gym and then sprinted as fast as he could towards it, follow by a reluctant Treecko. He slammed through the doors, longing to see his father. He hit something hard and stumbled backwards on to the floor. It was his dad. Brandon saw his father’s hand in front of him; he grasped it and pulled himself to his feet. He trapped his father in an embrace as tight as he could muster. It all felt too surreal, after all this time he had finally seen his father again but it felt too easy to him. He expected it be a challenge to get this far but it hadn’t been. He remembered his father’s smell, the way he looked, how warm he was to hug. Brandon felt his whole childhood rush back to him in that one moment. The last thing he realised was that it felt right.
The doors behind him opened, Brandon quickly turned around to see who was there. A boy with slightly spiked, blond hair walked in and over to Norman. “My dad said I should come to you about getting a Pokémon?” The boy asked nervously, in an almost frightened voice. “Ahh you must be Wally!” Said Norman. “You’re father told me you’d be coming, so you need me to lend you a Pokémon? Well...” He continued, stroking his chin to emphasize his point. “I guess I can spare this one.” Norman dropped a Pokeball to the floor to reveal a Zigzagoon, almost identical to Brandon’s. The Zigzagoon ran up to Wally and pawed at his leg, begging for attention. Wally bent down and ruffled its fur, “Thank you so much! Sir I mean...” Wally eagerly replied to him as he continued to pamper the Pokémon. Norman laughed, “Please call me Norman.” He chuckled happily before reaching out his hand for Wally shake. “Brandon!” He turned back to his son. “Why don’t you help Wally catch his first Pokémon?” Norman used his parental suggestion tool (where he pretends to give Brandon a choice but in reality he means is “Go help Wally catch his Pokémon.”)
Brandon sighed before following the excited 10-year old. “My dad said that it’d be good for me to have some companionship when I visit my aunt and uncle in Verdanturf Town.” Brandon nodded politely and pretended to be interested in Wally’s small talk. They reached a patch of tall grass just outside Petalburg on route 102. “So they should be just around here?” Wally asked as he cautiously stepped into the tall grass. “Yep, they’re definitely should be so...” Brandon was interrupted by a shout from Wally as he followed him into the grass. He saw Wally’s Zigzagoon run into battle with a small green and white Pokémon. Brandon suddenly realised it was the perfect time to whip out his Pokédex.
“Ralts: The Feeling Pokémon. The horn on its head provides a strong power that enables it to sense people’s emotions.” Brandon gawped, a psychic Pokémon had appeared in such a common place. Such a powerful creature could probably kill Wally in a single move. Yet Wally stood strong, probably out of ignorance but he still stood with a purpose. “Zigzagoon use tackle!” He yelled, he looked almost surprised by his own voice. Zigzagoon charged, lowering its entire frame in preparation for its customary attack. Brandon was frightened to think what would happen to Zigzagoon when it hit. The Ralts closed its eyes and began to hum, Brandon couldn’t looked, he hoped for the safety of his new friend and accomplice. The Ralts opened its eyes and let out a squeaky growl. The Zigzagoon kept on running, unfazed by its enemy. The psychic Pokémon was launched as the Zigzagoon’s tackle hit. Wally continued to stare in gritty determination at the Ralts. He quickly returned Zigzagoon before pulling another Pokéball out of his pocket. He threw it at the Ralts laid on the floor, the little green and white Pokémon materialized in a red beam.
The ball was still rolling and struggling when Wally picked it up. The red button in the middle returned to its regular white pigment. Wally clicked it open to reveal his new Pokémon. He crouched down and ruffled her green hair, the Ralts seemed to enjoy the company her new master as Wally continued to stroke her hair. Brandon coughed to catch his attention. “Oh.” Wally gasped with genuine surprise. “Umm...Thank you for helping me Brandon. I’ll return this to Norman and go back to my dad.” He walked off at a quick pace, his Ralts struggling to keep up. He turned, “Thanks again Brandon.” He said with an awkward blush on his face as he walked away. Brandon nodded and called out his Treecko. He crouched down and scratched the crest of her head. She slapped his hand and turned away from him, a slight redness in her cheeks as she was embarrassed to be treated that way. “Don’t like having my attention?” He giggled, “Then I know someone who does.” He took Zigzagoon’s ball from his belt and threw it on the floor. Brandon sat down as Zigzagoon appeared; the furry little creature looked around. Once he saw Brandon, he leapt onto his owner. Licking his face as Brandon stroked his back and head. “Want some attention now?” He chuckled as he looked at Treecko, obviously jealous of the love Zigzagoon was getting as she walked over and jumped on Brandon’s lap. Brandon scratched her back and patted her head before getting up. “See?” He laughed again, “Everyone likes some attention every once in a while.”
Chapter 14
Brandon stepped out into route 104. He had healed his Pokémon at the centre and stocked up on super potions at the mart before leaving town. He sniffed the fresh air, Treecko followed suit and sniffed the air for what Brandon was sniffing at. Brandon scratched her head; she obviously enjoyed it now as she leant towards him. He looked out on the beach and sea, still absent-mindedly itching Treecko’s head. He settled on the grass path, moving in the direction of Petalburg Woods. He’d only ever been there once and he’d been protected by his father’s Vigoroth at the time. It was when they still lived together in Rustboro; his father had been taking him to see the gym in Petalburg City. But that was before he was gym leader, things had changed now.
Brandon tripped in the long grass as he hadn’t been watching where he was going. He looked back to see if Treecko was still behind him, the Pokémon that fell on his back confirmed that. He pushed Treecko off his back and knelt up rubbing his head where he’d hit the floor. He dizzily looked around, trying re-grasp his surroundings. He climbed to his feet and looked to Treecko. She too was rubbing her head, mimicking Brandon. He set off again, towards the woods, Treecko still in tail. But once again he tripped on something. This time he was paying attention and knew something was up, something had hit him.
He looked back a small, scaled, brown ball was attacking him! Treecko ran back and stood stalwartly before her master, preparing to defend. The ball uncurled itself and revealed its true form; it was a small armadillo like creature. It once again re-curled its body into a ball. It span wildly before rolling towards Treecko, she held our hands and took hold of the creature, absorbing the power into her hands as it slowly stopped spinning. Brandon gawped, Treecko had learnt absorb! Brandon grabbed his Pokédex from his pocket and pointed it at the fighting pair. “Sandshrew: The Mouse Pokémon. To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball and attacks in this defensive form.” The Pokedex chirped in its automated voice. “No shit.” Brandon whispered as he continued to watch his companion in combat. The Sandshrew recoiled from Treecko. It curled into a ball once more to continue its attack, Treecko grinned as she prepared her hands to absorb Sandshrew when it hit, but this Sandshrew wasn’t as stupid as she thought. The Sandshrew transferred his momentum into a leap, it held its arms out sideways as if gliding and readied its claws. It was too late when Treecko realised the transition, she tried to change her position but stumbled over her tail onto her back. Brandon shuddered and closed his eyes, he couldn’t watch as the Sandshrew descended with its claws bared and bloodlust in its eyes.
Chapter 15
Treecko prepared for Sandshrew’s attack, she knew what was happening as soon as it’d bounded into the air. She pretended to trip onto the floor, the Sandshrew should’ve sensed that she couldn’t be that clumsy. Treecko dug her toes into the ground, waiting for the opening. Just as it was about to land on her, it pulled its arms out as wide as it could to get more power on its swing. Treecko saw this and back-flipped, hitting Sandshrew full force in the chest with her tail. It was knocked back down to the floor where she continued her relentless attack. Kicking and punching and beating her already defeated adversary.
“Treecko! Stop!” Brandon cried out. He was surprised by the sudden turn of events but now he couldn’t bare to watch as a now defenceless creature was mercilessly beaten. He recalled Treecko back into her ball before rummaging through his bag. He looked back every now and again to make sure it was still there. It didn’t look very well; it wasn’t going to go anywhere unless it was healed soon. Brandon found what he was looking for. He produced a small pink ball with a blue rim from his bag. He confidently bounced the heal ball in his hand before tossing it towards the pained Sandshrew. Brandon trudged over as soon as the ball took hold, in that state; it wasn’t going to do much struggling. Brandon immediately released Sandshrew from his ball as soon as it was caught. He giggled as he scratched the scaly skin behind Sandshrew’s ear. The heal ball may have done its job but there was a still a mark on his soft underbelly from where Treecko had hit him. Brandon knelt down and rubbed Sandshrew’s chest, obviously it was still painful to the touch as he winced and flinched. Brandon let it walk along side him as they continued their march towards Petalburg Woods.
Chapter 16
The trees ominously loomed overhead as Brandon and Sandshrew stopped outside the entrance to the woods. He shuffled through the super potions in his bag before deciding they’d be okay. The transition was incredible; the forest floor was completely shaded by the trees above, the cries of Pokémon echoed through the leaves and branches, giving the woods and eerie feel. He saw someone a few metres away leaning against a tree. Brandon walked over to see who he was. “Um...Hi.” Said Brandon, obviously he hadn’t thought out what he was going to say. “Hey.” The man said. “Are you trying to get through the woods to Rustboro?” Brandon nodded. “There is no way you’re getting through this thicket without any antidotes.” He continued to ramble in an almost reminiscent voice.
Brandon slowly backed away from him before setting off into the grass. It was odd that most of the wild Pokémon backed off into the bushes as they walked past. Brandon smiled at how easy was apparently going to be until he heard a spitting sound from either side of him. A miniature army of stingers and pins flew over-head when he realised something. “Oh shit.” He whispered. “Sandshrew RUN!” He bolted as fast as he could away from the insect Pokemon, shooting poison sting in their wake. They kept running until they reached a break in the trees where some light shone through. He put his hands on his knees and panted. He still wasn’t used to running long distances. He cast a glance at Sandshrew and froze. Sandshrew was covered in poison stings.
He looked up to see what his master was looking at. He looked up and down his arms and saw thousand of pins in his neck and arms, fortunately his scales would protect him from the poison. He had the sense to tuck into a ball to protect his stomach as they ran. Sandshrew gave Brandon a smile to show he was okay before marching on again to lead the group. Brandon shrugged and followed, happy to place his responsibility in someone else’s, even a Pokémon’s, hands. Fortunately, Sandshrew had been living in the woods for a while and knew the ins and outs and was happy to guide Brandon to the exit. He realised Brandon had stopped and was looking at something; he turned back the way they were facing and scoured the area. He saw a man in a green suit being threatened by a man in a blue tank-top and bandana.