Petalburg City, Hoenn Region
Norman, Gym leader.
The gym was quiet this time of day. Usually, Norman liked that. He could relax and let the thoughts float free, even daydream a little.
But today it just sat there. Heavy.
He stood near the center of the room, arms folded across his chest, watching the girl in front of him. His daughter.
May.
She looked more like her mother every year. Sharp blue eyes, arms crossed tight over her chest like she was holding something in. He wanted to say something gentle. Soften the air between them. Instead, it came out awkward.
"Ah, May? You and your mother settled in okay?" His voice was steady enough, warm even, but he heard the hesitation behind it.
May's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yeah, we did. Thanks for helping," she replied, clipped and cool.
Norman scratched the back of his neck. Careful. He could already feel her frustration crackling beneath the surface. "I know things have been tough lately…"
"Dad," she cut in, sharp as a Razor Leaf. "Quit talking to me like I'm ten."
He flinched. Not visibly, he hoped. But it hit. A pang of guilt straight to the heart.
Oh, how he wanted to answer, You're right. I've been gone too much. I should've called more. I know. But the words jammed up in his throat. Coward.
So instead, he pivoted.
"I see you've got your Pokémon with you," he said, nodding toward the Pokéball clipped to her belt. "Planning to become a Trainer, huh?"
She held his gaze, firm as ever. "Yeah. It's one way I can beat you."
He almost smiled at that. Almost. That same fire in her voice as her mother, it hurt, but it made him proud, all at once. Good. She'll be strong. Stronger than me, maybe.
But before he could say anything, the gym door creaked open, interrupting them.
A gym assistant stepped in with a shallow bow. "Leader Norman, there's a spirited boy at the gates. He's insistent on speaking with you. I thought it best to let you know."
Norman blinked, grateful for the interruption. "A boy, huh? Alright, send him in." He kept his tone light, even cheerful. But inside, he felt the relief. He wasn't ready to finish this talk with May, not yet.
The assistant vanished, her footsteps fading. Norman turned back to his daughter.
"We'll pick this up later, alright?" he offered gently.
May's arms stayed crossed. "Sure. After your 'business,'" she said, voice flat, before retreating to the bench in the corner. She sat down with a huff and turned away.
Norman sighed. She's not wrong. I've been hiding behind this job too long.
But the doors opened again before he could spiral too far into his thoughts.
A boy entered, green hair, pale as morning light, and delicate like he'd been raised inside. But there was something about him… not fragile, exactly. Composed. Calm. Poise. Like every step was placed just so.
He hummed softly, almost absentmindedly, something unfamiliar. Norman raised an eyebrow.
"Not a Trainer, I assume?" he said, chuckling. "You look a little young for battle."
The boy gave a faint smile. "Not yet," he said. Soft voice. Steady. "You'll have to wait a few months for me to challenge you."
Norman chuckled. Bold, this one. "Fair enough. So what brings you in, little almost-Trainer?"
"I'm Wally. From next door." He dipped his head slightly. "My uncle might've mentioned me?"
Norman blinked. The name clicked. "Wally!" he exclaimed, smacking his forehead. "Right! Your uncle did mention you. You're here to get a Pokémon, aren't you?"
Wally nodded, his whole face brightening. "Yes, sir. I'll be moving to Verdanturf Town soon, and I was hoping to catch a Pokémon to keep me company."
Norman folded his arms thoughtfully. Verdanturf, huh. That's a calm place… clean air, good for kids like him. "Makes sense you'd want some company," he said, then glanced toward the corner where May sat.
An idea formed.
"May," he called. "You heard that, right? Why don't you go with Wally and help him catch his first Pokémon?"
May's head snapped up. "Seriously, Dad? You're just trying to dodge our talk!"
Norman lifted his hands slightly, like it would smooth things over. "Of course not, dear," he said, too quickly. Too casually.
Before she could shoot back, he turned to Wally and handed him a Pokéball from his belt. "Here. I'll lend you one of my Pokémon to help you out. And take this Poké Ball to catch your new friend."
Wally accepted both, "Thank you, Leader Norman."
Norman gave them both a firm nod, clapping his hands together. "Great! Off you go, then. Don't keep us waiting too long, alright?"
May glared at him, heat still in her eyes. "We're not done, Dad. We'll settle this next time," she snapped as she followed Wally out.
Norman raised a hand in a small wave, watching the door shut behind them.
The silence returned. Only this time it felt emptier.
He stood still a moment longer, then let out a long sigh. It echoed softly against the gym walls.
"Next time," he murmured.
...
Hoenn Region
Route 102
May, Aspiring Trainer
May let out a sharp huff. The old man's words still echoed in her ears. His dismissiveness, his casual command to "just take the boy," like she had nothing better to do. Just thinking about it made her want to let her Torchic scratch the old man. A missed opportunity for sure.
"Sorry," she muttered, not looking at the boy walking beside her. "You shouldn't have heard that."
The boy, Wally, didn't miss a beat. "It's not a problem," he said, and his voice was soft. Soothing, even.
May's teeth pressed together. Apology already on her tongue, but so was the anger, and the latter won out.
"It is a problem," she snapped. "My dad should've been the one helping you catch your first Pokémon. Not me. But of course, he's too busy. Always is. Gym Leader Norman, too important to look his own daughter in the eye."
She expected Wally to flinch or retreat behind that gentle voice of his. But he didn't.
"I don't mind," he said. "Honestly? I think I'm in better hands this way."
She gave him a side-eye. "Are you trying to flatter me, or are you always this charming?"
He gave a tiny shrug, like he couldn't help it. "It's my natural gift. Can't turn it off."
She snorted, half in disbelief, half in amusement. "Smooth talker."
"I try my best," he said with a faux-sheepish grin.
At once, the heat in her heart lessened. Just a little. She kicked a stray pebble down the road for the rest.
"Family stuff sucks," she said finally, softer this time. "Dad's been obsessed with his 'duty' since I was little. Didn't even visit once after we moved to Littleroot. My mom pretends it doesn't bother her, but I can tell it eats at her."
Her voice cracked a little at the end, so she forced a bitter laugh. It didn't help much.
"That's why I'm training. I want to get strong. Strong enough to face him, beat him, and I don't know. Matter, I guess. At least for a second."
Her voice trailed off. She clenched her fists, embarrassed at the rawness that had slipped through. It wasn't like her to go soft in front of strangers. Or anyone.
She turned to Wally, "Ugh. Sorry. That was way more than you signed up for, huh?"
Wally tilted his head slightly, expression unreadable for half a second. Then came the grin, soft, tilted, with a hint of cheek.
"Well," he said, "I did think I was signing up for a quick walk. Maybe a Zigzagoon sighting if we got lucky."
May huffed out a dry breath. "And instead, you got a free trauma-dump session."
He shrugged. "Honestly? It's better."
She blinked. "Better?"
"Yeah. I mean…" He glanced at the sky, then back at her. "You've got a lot on your chest. And I don't mind hearing it. Sometimes it's just… better to let things out. You know?"
His voice stayed gentle, but there was no pity in it. No awkwardness. Just… calm.
May looked away quickly, pretending to adjust her bag strap.
She hated how easily his words slipped past her defenses. No pressure, no pity. And damn was that super effective.
She rubbed her arm. "Well. Just don't start charging me hourly."
Wally grinned. "Too late. I already billed you. Your payment is helping me catch a super strong Pokémon."
A laugh escaped her before she could stop it. Short, surprised, real. "I was going to do that anyway."
He shot her a cheeky look. "Correction: You were forced. But now you're doing it of your own free will. So, I profit."
May shook her head, smiling despite herself. "You really have a way with words."
And maybe, she thought, just maybe… he said all that because he saw she was upset. Because he wanted to make her feel lighter. Not because he had to.
Well, fine.
If that was her payment, she'd help him catch the strongest damn Pokémon on this route.
"And for what it's worth," Wally added, "I think you'll make an amazing Trainer. You'll beat him. I believe that."
May studied him. His pale face still bore traces of fatigue. It looked like a strong gust might blow him over. But his eyes, soft as they were, held a strange certainty. He meant it.
"You really are something, Wally," she said, her grin returning. "You don't even know me."
"I'd bet on it anyway," he replied, lips curving upward.
She snorted. "Careful. That's how you lose money."
Wally leaned in, glancing left and right with mock caution, like he was about to share a dangerous secret.
She played along, leaning toward him.
"I know the future," he whispered, his smile mischievous.
May arched a brow. "Oh yeah? Psychic, are you?"
Wally's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just messing with you."
"You cheeky little, " May laughed and gave him a playful shove, the earlier tension vanishing like the wind.
But then again, he didn't deny it. And somehow, that was the part that stuck in her head.
"Alright then, Mr. Know-the-Future," she challenged. "What kind of Pokémon are you going to catch today?"
"Ralts," Wally answered instantly. Not an ounce of hesitation.
She blinked. "Ralts? You're serious? I've trained in this field for days and haven't seen a single one."
He just smiled. That same calm, eerie confidence. "Don't be surprised when we do."
May shook her head with a smirk, crossing her arms. "Alright. Let's see if the universe is really playing favorites."
Soon, they reached the first patch of tall grasses.
"Pokémon hide in places like this," May murmured, her voice instinctively lowering. "Keep your eyes open."
Wally didn't answer. When she looked back, he was already pale and sweating. He looked as if he'd been pulled from water, gasping, limp, like a Magikarp flung onto dry land.
"Wally?" she asked, slowing. "You okay? We can rest, "
But he waved her off. His smile returned, strained but unchanging.
"It's just an old problem. We're almost there."
She hesitated, uncertain. He looked like a light breeze could knock him over. But something about the way he said it made her hold back. He wanted this.
Then the grass ahead shifted.
They both froze. May reached instinctively toward her belt, but stopped when the movement stilled, and revealed something small, strange, and glowing.
A Ralts.
Its fine blue hair shimmered faintly. The red horn caught the sun like a shard of ruby. It stood silently, motionless, as if waiting.
May's breath caught.
She turned to Wally, wide-eyed.
He looked up, as if sensing her gaze, and that familiar, cheeky smirk curled on his lips.
"Told you," he said.
...
Thanks for reading~