The Patron Quadrilogy: The Legend Begins

Chapter 4

Thursday, October 12th, 12:00 pm, 2018
Brimstone Pub
Brendan helped May finish unpacking.
"Are you sure you're okay with me staying here?" She asked, looking at him with worried eyes. "After all, I am a Patron myself."
"Yes, that's true," Brendan agreed. "But, more importantly, you're my best friend. I've known you longer than I've known Wally. And your life might be in danger. And, like I told you, I seldom use this room anyways."
"But you shouldn't put yourself in danger for my sake," she argued.
"May," Brendan said, looking at her. "Do you remember what I told you last year? I told you I'd die for you, and I still hold myself to that."
"If I recall, I said that I would die to protect you as well," she pointed out. "It was a promise we both made."
"And you did save my life," Brendan replied. "You made me see that life was worth living. I owe you my life, because you helped me during a dark time." He gave her a hug. "And I love you." He added silently. Aloud, he continued, "I'll deal with him, don't worry. But first.."
Brendan snapped his fingers, and a light red glow enveloped the entire room, eliminating every shadow. "Now there's no shadows on this room."
"But, won't this drain you physically?" She asked. He shook his head.
"If Harley really is a Patron for a dark type Pokémon," he thought. "I'll have to take these precautions. We're getting near the Winter Solstice Meeting. I'll ask around then. But, tomorrow, I'll contact Steven and April, and see if they know anything."
"I'll be fine," he told her. "I've used my powers frequently. The more you use them, the better you can control them. Basically, illuminating a room like this is child's play for me at this point."
"If you say so," she said, looking at Brendan gratefully.
"Also, so Steven doesn't need to lecture you on this," Brendan added. "The Winter Solstice Meeting, the last gathering of the year, is, obviously, on December 21st, beginning at 8pm and ending at midnight."
"Got it," she said. "But, I'm nervous. I don't know how to use my powers."
"I'll help you out," he offered.
"How?" May asked. "I don't want to fight you."
"No, no, not like that," Brendan laughed. "I meant I'll help you tap into your abilities. Manipulating water, that stuff."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Filling a cup with water, and seeing what you can do. No combat training quite yet."
"But you're expecting to train me how to fight?" May asked.
"At some point," Brendan explained. "You're a Patron. It's useful to know how to defend yourself. Of course, I'll always be willing to fight alongside you."
"Alright," she sighed, smiling. "Truth be told, it would be nice to learn what I can do. It's just, I don't want to hurt you, or anyone else."
"I know," he replied. "C'mon, let's go downstairs, I'm sure Wally would love to talk with you again."
Thursday, October 12th, 5 pm, 2018
Brimstone Pub 1st Floor
Brendan and May talked with Wally and the  rest of Team Brimstone for awhile. Brendan had introduced her to Giri, Damian, Marilyn, and Nathan. The group found out that May was great at playing pool; she beat all of them at the game. They were all having a good time, chilling, playing cards, watching movies, and chatting.
"So, where are you guys from?" She asked. "Are you all from Hoenn?"
"Yeah, Dewford Town," Giri said. "I left home a year ago, when I turned eighteen. My family wasn't very well off, in terms of money. Unsurprising, because running a store over there wasn't as profitable. The population was too small, and ever since that really bad storm three years ago, my family was really in a bad way. I'm trying to save up enough money to bring them over to the mainland."
"We're from Evergrande City," Nathan explained, sitting next to his twin sister, Marilyn.
"We never knew our father," Marilyn told her. "And our mother passed away when we were eleven. We traveled ever since. We considered going to an orphanage, but Damian brought us here. We've been here ever since."
"That's rough," May replied. "But, at least you're amongst people who care about both of you."
"Yeah, there's that. We aren't saying our lives were horrible, but joining Team Brimstone certainly helped turn us around."
"What about you, Damian?" May asked.
"Well, I'm the only member of Team Brimstone that wasn't born in Hoenn, apart from Brendan, of course," Damian explained. "I was born in Kanto. My family was actually rather wealthy, but when I left home on my journey, I learned something. Money made life boring for me. As a kid, I would always get into trouble, because my family had money and influence. I felt invincible. But, I was bored of living such a privileged life. So, when I turned ten, and although it was against my family's wishes, I went on a journey. I explored Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, and finally, Hoenn. All the while, I'd receive messages from my family and siblings that I was no longer considered family. While stung, I wasn't torn up about it. Going on an adventure, meeting new people, making new friends, and just living life, that's all I ever cared about. I didn't care about having large amounts of money, only enough to get by. And, things worked out after awhile. I joined up with Team Brimstone a few months after I turned fifteen, and I helped them manage their business contacts, et cetera. And I don't regret anything."
"And you already know my story," Wally said. "And I have a feeling you know Claire's as well."
"Yep," May replied.
"Well," Brendan said. "That's Team Brimstone. What do you think?"
"I think you guys are a great team," she said. "Hopefully, when I have to make my team, I'll be able to make a close-knit family like Brimstone."
"Hopefully, we won't have to fight one day," Wally sighed. The other Lieutenants agreed.
"Oh! That reminds me," May said, looking at Brendan with a serious gaze. "Some of the people I know from my journey are going to be here soon. Please don't tell them about me being a Patron. I don't want to put them in danger."
Brendan nodded, "Fair enough."
"Is that them?" Wally pointed out the window, across the street. From what Brendan could tell, there appeared to be ten teenage boys and five boys. He also saw two kids; a boy and a girl.
"Great...." Brendan thought, turning to Wally. "Lock the alcoholic drinks in storage, please." "The last thing I want is a bunch of kids getting drunk because they don't know better."
"On it."
"Alright, call them over," Brendan told her.
"You seem unenthusiastic."
"I just wish you would've told me that your little brother and another kid are with them."
"I didn't know they tagged along with them."
"Well, that does sound like something Max would keep secret."
"He annoys me more than he annoys you," May replied, resting her hand on Brendan's. "C'mon, you and your team should meet them."
Thursday, October 12th, 6:25 pm, 2018
Brendan watched as the rest of May's former traveling companions entered the pub. He introduced Team Brimstone, and  himself. A few of them knew who he was, referring to him as the former Champion of Hoenn.
"So, you're the former Champ?" A green- haired boy, perhaps his age, scoffed incredulously. "Nice to know you used the money for a good cause. Adding another bar to the world. Just what we needed."
"Watch what you say, you arrogant prick," he thought. "I'll do what I please, thank you very much," he retorted aloud.
"This isn't a bar," Wally growled. "It's a pub. It has class. This is a place for friends and family." The rest of Team Brimstone shouted "Hell yeah!". The green-haired boy looked over the rest of Team Brimstone.
"Friends and family, huh?" He sneered. "I notice you've got a kid in your "family". You're such an outstanding role model to her, a teen who runs a bar alongside his gang of thugs."
"That's it," Brendan thought. "Back off. Now. If you're going to be an asshole, leave. Or I'll make you."
"I'd like to see a scrawny boy like you try."
Brendan took a step forward, getting ready to summon fire to his hands. May grabbed his arm. Her sapphire blue eyes relayed a single, desperate, word to him.
"Don't." Brendan paused for a few moments, before taking a deep breath. He relaxed, feeling his temperature returned to normal, and he looked at the green-haired boy.  He saw his green eyes glaring at him with hatred.
"Ha, jealous prick," he thought, returning his gaze with a satisfied one. The boy stormed off. The tension in the room relaxed.
"Sorry about him," a nineteen year old, raven-haired boy said. He wore a blue vest, blue cargo pants, and he had a red and white hat. Brendan instantly noticed the strange aura that surrounded him. "His name's Drew, and he's not too happy that May shows an interest in you. Don't worry, he's not her boyfriend or anything. I think this place looks nice."
"Thanks, but tell your friend to watch what he says about this place and my friends."
"Will do. My name's Ash. Ash Ketchum." Brendan shook his hand, and he continued. "To tell you the truth, I had a crush on May at one point as well. But, then I began dating Serena, and I realized that Serena's the one for me."
"Cool," Brendan replied. "I've heard a lot about you and your friends from May. But, I've seen you in action. You're really talented at battling."
"Thanks," he replied. "But, I've still got a lot to learn. I already beat the Kanto League a few years after I lost the first time. I've also beaten the Johto League. Right now, I'm going to try to beat the Hoenn League. If I can't, I'll probably take a break from battling for a few months. Make my relationship serious, stuff like that.
"Good luck," Brendan replied. Ash introduced him and his Team to his friends, Brock, Misty, Tracey, Gary, Paul, Dawn, Serena, Iris, and Cilan, Clemont, and Bonnie. Everyone talked, apart from Drew, until it was midnight. Ash and his friends went to their hotel, saying goodbye one last time before leaving. The Team began to close up. Claire was already in bed, probably snuggling with her new Eevee. May yawned, and went upstairs to her (technically Brendan's) room. Damian and Giri were flipping a coin to see who was going to take the first patrol. Nathan and Marilyn went upstairs to their rooms. Wally finished cleaning up, and yawned.
"You heading out for the night, Brendan?"
"Yeah, since May's using my room," He laughed. "I'll be on the roof, like usual. Hey, Giri, Damian! Don't worry about patrols tonight, I'll handle 'em."
"Okay, boss," Damian yawned.
"Understood," Giri sighed.
Once they went upstairs, Brendan walked outside, preparing to go on patrol.
"Hey, Birch," a nasally voice growled. "I want to talk with you."