An Adventure in Hoenn

Chapter 1: Prologue

Brendan stood at the base of his new home, gazing up at the towering structure. It was strange, seeing the white walls and the blue roof gleaming against Littleroot Town's clear sky. It was so different from their old home in Johto, where the brick walls had been weathered and the roof had faded over time. The subtle creak of the front porch, the smell of pine from the nearby forest—all of that was gone now. In its place was a house that felt too perfect, too polished, as if it didn't belong to him.

The soft rustle of the breeze carried the sounds of Littleroot Town: the chirping of distant Wingull, the faint hum of machinery from his father's laboratory, and the quiet life of a town much smaller than he was used to. The entire landscape was alien—a quiet, sleepy place surrounded by woods instead of the bustling towns and sprawling plains he had grown up with.

He glanced back at the road he had just taken, still strewn with boxes from their move. His mother had told him to head to the laboratory and help his father, but he lingered, his mind wandering. Could he ever really fit in here? The thought hung heavy, but there wasn't much choice. He adjusted his bag and turned toward the lab.

The building wasn't far, just a short walk through the neatly kept dirt paths of the town. It stood out like a sore thumb against the rustic charm of Littleroot—a sleek, modern structure with clean lines and glass panels that shimmered under the sunlight. It wasn't Brendan's first time here; he'd been a few times since their move, but the place still felt cold and unfamiliar. He pushed open the door, the mechanical whoosh breaking the silence.

The interior was a chaotic mix of precision and disarray. Machines hummed softly along the walls, their lights blinking in rhythmic patterns. Papers were scattered across desks, alongside open books and strange instruments Brendan didn't recognize. The smell of disinfectant and faint ozone hung in the air. He walked further inside, his footsteps muffled by the tiled floor.

His gaze drifted to a tray near the center of the room, where three Poké Balls sat in a neat row. The polished surfaces gleamed under the overhead lights. He knew these were the starter Pokémon his father often mentioned, each holding a partner that could change someone's life. He approached, studying them. The labels beneath each one were simple: Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip.

His thoughts didn't linger long. He'd always had a quiet preference, something about Mudkip's steadfast demeanor resonating with him. The blue Pokémon wasn't flashy like Torchic or as aloof as Treecko. It was reliable, grounded. He reached out and picked up Mudkip's Poké Ball, its smooth surface cool against his palm.

Before long, his father appeared from the back of the lab, calling out a greeting that Brendan acknowledged with a slight wave. The professor's usual exuberance filled the room, his voice carrying an unspoken pride as he saw Brendan holding the Poké Ball. Brendan listened as his father spoke about the journey ahead, his words filled with encouragement and excitement. The professor handed him a small pack of supplies—Poké Balls, a few potions—and patted him on the shoulder before returning to his work.

Back at home, Brendan found his mother in the kitchen, her hands busy arranging the last of their belongings. She turned to him with a soft smile, her expression tinged with a mixture of pride and concern. She'd always been supportive, but Brendan could tell she worried about him heading out into the unknown. She handed him a pair of Running Shoes, her words gentle as she explained how they'd make travel easier.

Before he could leave, she reached over to the counter and picked up a sleek Mach Bike. The polished frame gleamed, its design efficient and streamlined. She told him it was something his father had insisted on—Hoenn's terrain could be challenging, and the bike would help him navigate it with ease. Brendan nodded, grateful for the thoughtfulness.

As he was about to step outside, she stopped him one last time, her tone shifting to something warmer, almost playful. She suggested he stop by Caroline's house to say hello. She mentioned that May would likely want to see him, her smile growing as if she knew something he didn't.

Caroline greeted him warmly when he arrived, her cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to Brendan's quieter presence. She ushered him inside, her voice filled with excitement as she called up the stairs to May.

It didn't take long before May appeared at the top of the stairs, her expression lighting up when she saw him. There was something in the way her face flushed slightly, in how she lingered on each step as she descended. Her eyes flicked to the Poké Ball at his belt, curiosity sparking as she asked about his choice.

As Brendan stood there, answering her questions with the briefest of gestures or words, he noticed the small things. The way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she looked at him, the way her smile lingered just a second longer than it needed to. He didn't understand it, not really. To him, May was just energetic and a little strange sometimes, but nothing out of the ordinary.

She offered to show him around the town, her enthusiasm bubbling over as she talked about all the places he hadn't been yet. Brendan listened, nodded, but eventually excused himself, gesturing that he needed to get moving. May's smile faltered for a moment before she caught herself, her usual cheer returning as she waved him off.

"Good luck out there!" she called after him, her voice softer now. "And don't forget to visit sometime, okay?"

Brendan stepped back out into the sunlight, the dirt path stretching out before him. The weight of Mudkip's Poké Ball on his belt felt reassuring as he set off. Littleroot faded into the background, and with it, the lingering thoughts of what May might have been trying to say. For now, the road ahead was all that mattered.