On The Road

Chapter Seven

"Peecko!"

The old man from before happily swiped the Wingull into his arms. He laughed before grinning at the four friends.

"How can I ever repay you?" he asked.

"Do you know where the Devon Corp. is?" Bina asked. "We need to return some stolen parts that grunt took."

"Of course, the Corp. is in Rustboro," the old man replied. "I'll show you."

"Perfect!" Wally smiled. "I've always wanted to see the Corp."

"It would be nice to see the inside of Hoenn's largest Corp.," Arriete nodded. "What do you think, Larance?"

"Huh?" Larance snapped out of his dream like state when he heard his name.

"Never mind," Arriete chuckled.

Larance let out a small chuckle as well before frowning and looking at the parts in his hand. 

What does Team Aqua want with me?

He silently shook his head as everyone else began to move back towards Rustboro. 

"Excuse me, sir," he began, running up to the old man. "I don't think we got your name."

"Oh, my name is Briney," the old man replied. "I run a small boathouse near Petalburg Woods."

"I remember seeing that!" Bina exclaimed.

"Ah, here we are," Briney smiled, pointing up at a large building.

"Wow..." the four friends whispered.

Suddenly the doors opened to reveal the same flustered scientist that they met in the woods. His face broke into a hug grin as he noticed the parts that Larance held in his hands. 

"You got them back!" he exclaimed, taking them out of Larance's hands. "This will make the owner so happy! Come! Come!"

Briney waved goodbye to them as they entered the building. The scientist led the four friends up three flights of stairs before they entered a large room. There was a chair at the far end of the room where an old man sat, smiling at them. 

"Ah, you must be the four trainers that got the parts back from that grunt," the man replied. "I'm the owner of the Devon Corp., Mr. Stone, and I greatly appreciate your help. May I ask who you four are?"

"My name is Larance," Larance spoke up. "And these are my friends; Bina, Arriete, and Wally."

"Ah, the daughter of Norman and the daughter of Birch," Mr. Stone smiled. "I take it you're taking on the gyms, Arriete?"

"Actually, no," Arriete replied, smiling sheepishly. "But Larance is."

"Ah, so your next stop is Dewford then. In that case, can you take this letter to a man named Steven?"

"Steven? Steven Stone?" Wally squeaked, eyes widening. "The Champion?"

Mr. Stone nodded and Wally's face brightened.

"What are we waiting for guys?!?" he exclaimed, turning to run. "Let's hurry!"

He suddenly began coughing and Bina ran to his side.

"Wally, don't push yourself," Bina warned. "Don't forget about your asthma."

"R-right," Wally admitted when his was able to breathe again.

"We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning," Arriete suggested. "Besides, Larance's Pokémon need to rest up."

The other three nodded at this and they made their way towards the Pokémon Center.