"Hi, May. We meet again!" Ethan waved up at the window with a grin. "I knew you didn't go far. So you really are from the Petalburg Gym, and this is your home, right?"
"A ha ha… Ethan, you got here so fast…" May laughed awkwardly and pulled back from the window. "But how did you know this is my house?" She was genuinely confused about how her secret got exposed.
"Remember what I told you about Misty, my old companion?" Ethan explained. "When I challenged the Cerulean Gym, she was one of the Gym Leaders too, but she was too embarrassed to admit it. You're acting exactly like she did. And with Aura, I can also sense you have a really strong connection to this place."
Ethan actually knew even more about May, but he didn't say it. He figured some things were better if May chose to reveal them herself.
"Ah… is that so?!" May's cheeks burned even redder. She hadn't expected her little secret to be uncovered so quickly. With no choice, she opened the door and came outside, looking mortified as she faced Ethan.
"Huh? Sis, you know him?" Max asked, staring at how familiar May and Ethan seemed. He had thought Ethan was some random stranger coming to "kick the Gym," but apparently he was May's friend.
"Yeah. Ethan and I are traveling together," May said, nodding. "We met up and crossed the forests of Hoenn together, helping each other along the way, and that's how we made it back to Petalburg."
Just then, footsteps sounded from inside the house.
A middle aged couple walked out. They both looked gentle and warm. The man's voice was deep and steady, the kind that made you feel safe just hearing it.
"Hello there. Welcome!" he said.
The woman smiled and nodded. "Come inside and sit down. The sun's strong out here. Don't get heatstroke."
"I'll introduce you," May said quickly, taking the role of mediator. "This is my dad and mom. My dad is the Petalburg Gym Leader, Norman. My mom is Caroline. And this troublemaker is my little brother, Max."
Norman stepped forward, extended his hand, and smiled. "Hello. My name is Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader. Welcome to Petalburg City, Trainer Ethan."
Caroline spoke next, her tone kind. "Hello, I'm Caroline. May mentions you a lot. She says you're a very brave and kind trainer."
"Mom, Dad, this is Ethan, the one who traveled with me to Petalburg. He's here to challenge the Gym," May continued, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "Dad, Ethan is really amazing. Back in Oldale Town, he beat members of Team Rocket and Team Magma all by himself, and he even protected an archaeologist named Mezt."
"Oh? You beat Team Rocket and Team Magma?" Norman's eyes flashed with surprise and approval. "Those are infamous criminal groups. Their members can be dangerous. If you were able to defeat them, that says a lot about your strength and courage."
Caroline looked grateful. "Thank you so much, Trainer Ethan. Thank you for looking after May and bringing her home safely. We worry a lot when she travels alone."
"It's really nothing," Ethan said quickly, waving his hands in embarrassment. "I didn't do anything special. I just got lucky. And if someone needs help, I can't just ignore it."
Caroline's gaze suddenly shifted to May, as if she'd noticed something important. "Oh, right, May. Where's your bike? Didn't you leave on your bike? Why didn't you bring it back?"
May's face turned scarlet, and her eyes started darting around. "Uh… the bike got…" She hesitated, not knowing how to explain.
Ethan immediately stepped in. "Ma'am, this one's on me and Pikachu." He explained everything from start to finish. "Team Rocket attacked us in the forest. To protect May, Pikachu used Thunderbolt, but the fight got intense and the electricity hit the bike by accident. It got destroyed. I'm really sorry."
"Pika…" Pikachu hopped down from Ethan's shoulder and scratched the back of its head, looking ashamed.
Ethan and Pikachu both stood and bowed deeply. "We're sorry. We'll replace it with a new bike."
Norman burst out laughing and waved it off. "It's fine, Trainer Ethan. Unexpected things happen on the road. That's normal. It's just a bicycle. No need to take it so seriously."
Caroline nodded. "Exactly. And honestly, traveling on foot is better. You get to enjoy the scenery and build willpower. If a bike breaks, it breaks. We won't blame you."
"Really? Thank you so much!" Ethan exhaled in relief and smiled. He hadn't expected Norman and Caroline to be this understanding, which made him respect them even more.
"Pika!" Pikachu looked up too, visibly relieved.
"By the way, May," Norman said, smoothly changing the topic. "What Pokémon did Professor Birch give you? I remember he said he'd give you a starter perfect for traveling."
"Yeah!" Max leaned in, eyes sparkling with curiosity and envy. "What did you get, Sis? Treecko? Mudkip? Or Torchic? I hope it's Treecko! Treecko is the best starter!"
As annoying as Max could be, his love for Pokémon was obvious. He'd grown up learning from Norman, reading piles of books, and he knew a lot about types, moves, and evolutions.
May smiled confidently. "It's this one. Come out, Torchic!"
She tossed the Poké Ball lightly. A red flash appeared, and a small Torchic popped out in front of everyone.
Torchic had bright orange feathers, a little crest on its head, and round eyes that made it look adorable. It saw May and chirped happily, "Chic!"
"Oh… you got Torchic." Max's excitement instantly deflated into disappointment. He frowned and stared at Torchic like it had personally offended him. "I think Treecko is way better. Treecko's faster, hits harder, and its evolution Sceptile is super strong! Torchic is fine, but compared to Treecko, it's kind of… meh."
Torchic immediately got angry. It glared at Max and chirped sharply, then rushed forward and pecked Max right in the butt.
"Aaaah! Stop it, Torchic!" Max yelped and bolted. Torchic chased him relentlessly, pecking again and again, sending Max sprinting in circles around the yard.
"Hah, Torchic has some attitude," Norman said, laughing. "Picking Torchic as your first partner, May. Good eye. Torchic might not be the strongest early on, but it has huge potential and it's very loyal. Raise it properly and it'll become a powerful Pokémon."
Caroline smiled as well. "And it's adorable. Torchic's lively personality fits you, May."
"Told you!" May beamed at the praise and shot Max a smug look. "Just wait until it evolves into Blaziken. You'll be eating your words!"
"That's so cool… I want a Pokémon too. Preferably Treecko," Max complained even while running, completely unaware he was making Torchic angrier.
Torchic paused for half a second.
Then it charged again and pecked Max even harder.
"Ow ow ow! Stop! Don't peck me! I'm sorry, okay?!" Max wailed, tears nearly forming as he begged for mercy.
(End of Chapter)
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