The Patron Quadrilogy: The Legend Begins

Chapter 11

Saturday, October 14th, 11:50 a.m. 2018
Littleroot Pokémon Lab (outside)
"You're late," Brendan muttered as Steven and April appeared.
"Well, sorry," Steven scoffed. "But I had other things to do before you called me."
"And I was looking for some decent clothing," April explained. "Most of the clothes I have are for colder temperatures."
"Can't you regulate your core temperature?" Brendan asked. "Why would it matter if you wore cold weather clothes?"
"If we're doing combat training, I don't need a jacket weighing me down," She explained. "So, a long-sleeve shirt and a pair of cargo pants are what I decided to wear, since they provide better mobility than my usual clothes."
"Fair enough."
"Anyways, what are we doing standing around?" Steven growled.
"Careful, Airhead," Brendan retorted. "We're waiting on May's friends at the moment."
"Don't call me "Airhead"," Steven hissed.
"That's all that's in your head," Brendan thought. "Just air. No brain. Nothing."
"Why don't you two full us in on why we're here?" April asked, looking at Brendan and May. "You sounded grave when you called, Brendan."
"Because this news is," Brendan told her. "Make yourselves comfortable, it's a long story, and we've got time to kill until May's friends get here."
Saturday, October 14th, 1:03 pm. 2018
Littleroot Pokémon Lab (outside)
"So, that's everything." Brendan finished.
"So, Shadow Patrons are real, and they're extremely powerful?" April repeated. "And to top all of this off, Harley, the new Shadow Patron is after May? You were right, Brendan. This is very bad."
"And it took three Patrons to kill one!?" Steven exclaimed. "And one of the Patrons fighting him died in the process!?"
"Yes that's what I said," Brendan responded.
"That's why we're here. We need to help May unlock her powers. And we need to train as well. This could get serious."
"We should also request an emergency meeting with the other Patrons," April added. "They're in just as much danger as we are. What if Harley has a huge team with him?"
"What if some of the Patrons side with him?" Brendan thought. "What if some already have?"
"Can you notify Red?" Brendan asked. "Since he's the strongest, his word is law. Can you ask him to request all Lieutenants to be there as well?"
"I can, but the Lieutenants?" She asked, surprised.
"This is something everyone needs to be aware of. I fear some of the Patrons might even hide this from their Teams."
"You don't think Patrons would actually side with him?"
"Some might," Steven replied. "If you recall, a lot of Patrons are dissatisfied with how things are being run. A lot of them don't agree with the no killing policy. I'm sure that the most extremist of them would support Harley."
"What are you Patrons talking about?" A familiar voice asked.
"The bluenette," Brendan thought. "Dawn, that's her name."
"We'll tell you soon," Brendan said. "But, we've got to get going."
"I'll fill them in on what's happening," May replied.
"Where are we going?"
"An old warehouse I use to train. It's abandoned, so I can train in peace usually," Brendan replied.
"That doesn't seem safe," Iris remarked.
"Correct. But, it's still in good shape. Mostly."
"Well, why can't we talk first?" Brock asked.
"We need the rest of today, and perhaps even tonight to train. May will fill you in while I drive. Steven, you're riding shotgun. Is that okay with you, April?"
"I can't complain," she replied. "Let's just get going."
Saturday, October 14th, 2:13 pm, 2018
Littleroot Pkmn Lab Warehouse (old)
"Wait, WHAT!?" Brendan heard from the back of the truck. "Well, guess she told them the Patron thing."
"WHAT!?"
"And there's the Harley thing." He brought the truck to a stop, and parked it right by the entrance of the warehouse. Aloud, he shouted, "Hey, we're here. You can freak out outside the truck please." He exited the truck, and walked to the back. He opened the back of the truck, and stared at them.
"Get out of the truck now," Brendan said, gesturing with his hand.
"How long have you known May was a Patron!?" Misty asked.
"Since seven years ago, when we got these powers," he replied simply.
"And she's in danger!?" They all exclaimed.
"Why do you think we're here?" Brendan retorted. "We're going to train her so she can defend herself. That being said, I'll die before I let her get killed."
"Why? Why protect her and your friends but no one else?" Ash asked.
"Because they're the only people in this world that are important to me," Brendan responded. "Like I've said before, I don't care about anyone else but them. Anyways come on. We'll show you what we're capable of. But first..." He brought out his Pokemon.
"This is Muddy, my Swampert," he introduced his Pokémon to them. "Skar, my Skarmory, Fang, my Mightyena, Pyre, my Torkoal, and Blitz, my Blaziken. He's got a black belt on. Mainly so I can tell him apart from May's Blaziken. If you want, your Pokémon can train against mine. I'll even see if April and Steven can bring out theirs."
"I'll let my Pokémon train as well," May said. "They're gonna need it."
"Sure," Ash agreed. "I'll let my Pokémon train."
"I'll get in on that, too" Iris added.
"As will we," Misty and Brock said.
"Anyone else?" Brendan asked. Everyone else shook their heads.
"Alright. Hey, Steven! April!" Brendan called. "Bring out your Pokémon! We might as well let them train as well!" They walked over to the group.
"Fine," Steven muttered, bringing out his Metagross, Magnezone, Golem, Linoone, Spinda, and Flygon.
"Good idea, Brendan," April said. "Harley and whoever follows him are probably going to use Pokémon against us." She brought out her Pidgeot, Froslass, Arcanine, Fearow, Walrein, and her Sneasel.
"I said I'll bring mine out as well," May replied. She brought out her Blaziken, Beautifly, Wartortle, Glaceon, Venusaur, and her Skitty.
"Show us yours now," Steven told Iris, Ash, Brock, and Misty.
"Let's go team!" Ash brought out Charizard, Snorlax, Torterra, Staraptor, and Totodile. His Pikachu leapt down from his shoulder.
"Not bad, he's got a good balance in his team," Brendan thought.
"Make a splash," Misty brought out her  Starmie, Politoed, and Togetic.
"That team is unbalanced, not to mention there's only three.... Ah, well. To each their own. But, those water types could give her an edge against our fire and rock types. So, all in all, not bad. But it could definitely be better..."
"Here are my Pokémon," Brock said, bringing out his Steelix, Geodude, Vulpix, Crobat, Marshtomp, and his Croagunk.
"Impressive, and I certainly like that Vulpix, but that Steelix is clearly his heavy hitter. A lot of his team won't do too well against ours. Especially once his Steelix is defeated. The Vulpix is agile, but so are Blitz and Fang. And his Crobat can fly, true,  but so can Skar, and there's few Pokémon faster than a Skarmory. They're in for a rough fight."
"Then again, they are just Gym Leaders. They're low level trainers that are only a challenge to beginners," Groudon mumbled in his head.
"Well, while they train out here, let's head inside."
Saturday, October 14th, 2:31 p.m., 2018
Littleroot Pkmn Lab Warehouse (old)
The rusted metal door opened slowly, it's rusty hinges squeaking in protest. Brendan and the others walked in to the since abandoned warehouse. Giant metal shelves, some still holding items stretched upwards and old cargo hooks hung still from their suspended rails. Wooden boxes of various sizes were scattered here and there, containing nothing or containing old and obsolete research technology. The catwalks were in disrepair, and a hanging staircase led to the room where the cargo hooks were controlled. The lights dangled from the ceiling, some were broken, dangling precariously from one side, while others had since fallen to the ground, breaking on impact. Tables made of steel and wood still dotted the area, while pipes, each in their own unique state of deteriorating, ran across the ceiling and up and down the walls.
"This place has seen better days," Dawn noted.
"Yeah, is this really a safe place to train?" Ash asked.
"This warehouse looks worse than it actually is," Brendan reassured them. "This warehouse was used for fifty years, according to my father. It survived horrible storms and natural disasters. However, it was abandoned when the Lab got a huge surplus of new technology, too much for this warehouse to hold. So, they left this one to rot, and moved location. What little remains are empty boxes, broken and outdated research technology, and cobwebs. But, it is still standing, so I've been using it to train."
"Why do you have to train?" Ash asked.
"To gain control of my powers. When Patrons use our powers, it requires a decent amount of energy. For new Patrons, using their powers for the first time is physically draining. The body has to get used to it. So, for a Patron who's never actually used her powers, this is going to be very prevalent. Of course, eating a meal and keeping yourself hydrated are good ways to curb the effects of this training."
"What if the body can't take the drain?" Ash asked.
"Usually, passing out. Other times, death. The latter is less common. Mostly because of the passing out part."
"So, May could die doing this!?" Dawn exclaimed.
"The chance of that is less than twenty percent," Steven explained. "It would be a different story if we weren't here. Then the chances of death would be significantly higher."
"Guys, can we get started?" May asked.
"Yes, let's begin, " Brendan agreed.
Saturday, October 14th, 3:00 pm., 2018
Littleroot Pkmn Lab Warehouse (old)
Brendan cleared his throat. Then he looked seriously at May's friends.
"Alright," Brendan said. "I have to ask you all to head up to the control room." He pointed to the old hanging staircase. "We don't want anyone getting seriously hurt. Us Patrons are a little more durable than normal people, so we're fine, but you guys might get in the way if you stay down here."
They nodded, and Brendan waited until they were all in the control room. Then, he turned to May.
"Alright, the first thing we need you to do is activate your Item," he said. "Like so." He closed his eyes, and the ruby in his amulet glowed. He held out his hand, and a ball of fire formed in seconds. "It's easiest for beginners to activate their powers the first few times by closing their eyes." He gestured  to May. "Begin by closing your eyes. I'll walk you through it."
"Okay," she closed her eyes.
"Next, focus on your bracelet. Maintain that focus until you hear the sound of the waves interred in the sapphire. Once you hear it, begin to focus it into your hands. Think of it like putting your hands into the sea."
She nodded, keeping her eyes closed. In a minute, she held out her left hand. The sapphire in her bracelet glowed. As her bracelet glowed, a small ball of water formed in her hand.
Saturday, October 14th, 3:05 pm., 2018
Inside May's head
May opened her eyes, only to discover she wasn't with her friends. She was in a cave.
"What? Where the hell am I?" A roar made the cave shake violently. "And what was that!? It sounded close. I need to get out of here!" She looked left and right, seeing a passage on either side. "Left or right? Uh, left!" The roar sounded again, and May winced, grabbing her left wrist. "It feels like someone is pouring salt into a cut on my wrist!" Then she noticed that her sapphire was glowing. "Hmm, is this the way I'm supposed to go?" She took a few steps forward, and watched as the medallion began to get brighter and brighter. She felt the pain in her wrist begin to subside. She soon realized that she'd entered a huge room in the cave. There was a large pool in the center; deep enough that the entire pool was a dark, unbreakable shade of blue.
"This place seems so familiar. Where is this?" She thought. She looked at her amulet. It was glowing a brilliant and glaring light blue.
"Welcome back, human," a voice resounded from the depths. "It's been over a year since our first meeting. And since then you've managed to make enemies, friends, and you even had.... intercourse, I believe is what you mortals call it, with another Patron. And not just any Patron, but the Patron of my Rival. By all rights, I should have killed you the moment you entered this place. But, I didn't. In fact, I'm even willing to let you do whatever you want. Do. NOT. Make. Me. Regret. It. However, there is one thing that must be done first. You must make a blood oath. Bite your thumb open. And then place that hand in this pool."
"Is that actually necessary?" She asked. "Why do you need a drop of blood?"
"The blood is required to use my power. Think of it as an agreement. All Patrons, young and old have done this. It shows loyalty to only one Legend."
"Okay. But this is kinda odd." She took off her glove, and bit down. She winced slightly, and then she placed her hand into the water. The wound on her hand began to heal as the surrounding water turned pink. Then the entire cave began to rumble. She saw the water in the center of the pool begin to bubble. And then she saw two glowing yellow eyes."
"Kyogre."

*I edited a single word here, when Brendan is asked by Misty how long he's known that May was a Patron.