The Patron Quadrilogy: The Legend Begins

Chapter 43

Fair warning: there's a bit of cursing in this one.
Tuesday, October 17th, 9:30 a.m.
Brimstone Pub

Brendan, May, Ash, and the rest of Team Brimstone were gathered downstairs in the common room of the Pub.

"What's taking them so long?" Nathan asked. "I know Zinnia's kinda aloof and all, but still."

"Well, it's not like she's here yet, either, Nathan," Marilyn retorted.

"Nor are my friends," May added.

"Yeah... About that," Giri said nervously. "Boss, do you really think it's a good idea to allow them to see this? They aren't like us, and the last time May's friends were in here, it didn't end well."

"I get your concerns," Brendan reassured him. "But we're through with that. And by "we", I mean "I". Also Dawn did apologize and admitted she overstepped."

"Yeah, but the Pewter Gym Leader did punch you in the nose," Damian reminded him.

"Oh, make no mistake, that pissed me off," Brendan admitted. "But, looking back, I respect that. It shows that they're willing to fight for each other. Even if it's a very poor life choice to antagonize a bunch of people who can start fires just by sneezing the wrong way. Ultimately, looking back, I came to a revelation. They aren't so different from our group when we get right down to it." He looked over at Ash. "I can see why you got along so well with them."

"Yeah, they've had a huge impact on my life," Ash replied, looking up from the book he was reading. "I don't where I'd be without any of them."

"I don't think I've ever seen you so engrossed by anything that wasn't a Pokémon battle," May said as Ash's Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder.

"Well, with everything that's happening, I figured I need to go into this with a strategy," he sighed. "But... I don't know what to do next. I'm writing down potential moves I should try to perfect but... I don't know where to start with potential Aura Guardians."

"Hmm.... Well, I've never been outside of Hoenn, at least never for a Pokémon Journey or anything. At the very least, not since I was really young. But I do remember hearing talk from Trainers coming to Hoenn through Littleroot. They mentioned something about a Sinnoh Gym Leader who specialized in Fighting Types. She also apparently has a Lucario and people have seen her practicing some weird martial art with it."

"I know her," Ash exclaimed, snapping his fingers and quickly writing down her name. "Her name is Maylene. She's one of the only people I've ever seen that can control her Aura. But she has problems with self confidence."

"But do you think she's a likely candidate?" Brendan asked. "If she is, I think you should certainly reach out to her."

"I will," Ash nodded. "Actually, I was thinking about what you said. You weren't born in Hoenn, right?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Where are you from? I know you have a slightly Hoennic accent, but that it's really unnoticeable."

"Ah. Yeah, you're actually one of the only people to notice. I was actually born in Johto, same as May. Heck we both even lived in Ecruteak City, and both of our families were good friends even then. Though, she still has a bit more of a Johtovian accent. If you talk with Norman or Caroline, their accents are extremely noticeable. Max, however, has a Hoennic accent, since he was actually born and raised here." Brendan explained. "My family moved here when I was roughly five or six. My dad accepted a Job at the Pokémon Lab here in Littleroot, and Norman wound up running the Petalburg Gym. May moved here with Caroline when she was nine or ten, when Norman had secured a home and money to cover the expense of the move."