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The next morning, Kai and Erika visited the Petalburg Gym.
The Gym sat on the outskirts of the city, backed by two lush green hills. Its structure resembled an old-fashioned Japanese-style estate, surrounded by tall whitewashed walls.
If not for the signboard reading "Petalburg Gym" hanging out front, one might easily mistake it for a traditional countryside manor rather than a Pokémon Gym.
Climbing the steps, Kai noticed that the entrance doors were open, and since no staff were around, he and Erika simply walked inside.
The Gym's interior looked like a vast training dojo completely empty and silent. Only their footsteps echoed softly against the polished wooden floor.
"Excuse me! Is anyone here?" Kai called out.
He waited a while, but no one responded, so he raised his voice and called again.
This time, hurried footsteps echoed from the far end of the hall, and soon a young boy came running out.
Kai blinked he was just a child, maybe seven years old, with short brown hair, glasses, and a t-shirt-and-shorts combo that gave off the impression of a little know-it-all.
The resemblance left no doubt. Kai recognized him immediately as May's younger brother, and Gym Leader Norman's son: Max.
"I'm here! I'm here!" the boy panted, then looked up—and froze. His eyes widened, and he pointed straight at Kai.
"Ah! It's you!!"
Kai tilted his head. "Oh? You know me?"
"Of course I do!" Max exclaimed, practically glowing with excitement. "I've been watching the Silver Conference all week—the live match and the replays too! You're Kai, the Champion!"
Kai chuckled softly, a little surprised but not entirely.
Max was known for being smart, curious, and knowledgeable about Pokémon battles. In the anime, he'd recognized Ash at a glance and even knew which League he'd been eliminated from.
"That's me," Kai admitted with a smile. "Is your father, Mr. Norman, around? I came to challenge the Petalburg Gym."
"You want to battle my dad?" Max began enthusiastically, then suddenly paused, a sheepish look appearing on his face. "Ah—right! I forgot. Dad left early this morning for some official business. He said he might be gone for a few days…"
"Gone?" Kai blinked. "He's not here?"
"Yeah," Max said, nodding quickly. "Just half an hour ago, actually. He told me to lock the doors and hang a notice outside. But I was… uh, kinda distracted watching the battle replays, so I forgot."
Kai and Erika exchanged a look, both visibly helpless.
Just half an hour late if they'd come earlier, they could've caught him.
Erika's glare, however, spoke volumes.
This was clearly Kai's fault.
That morning, they'd both woken up early, ready to head out. But Kai, on a sudden whim, had pulled her back into bed, delaying them long enough to miss Norman entirely.
Seeing her glare, Kai gave an awkward smile. He'd only meant to give Norman some time to rest before showing up unannounced, who could've guessed he'd already left?
"Well," Kai sighed, "do you know where he went? Or who could we ask?"
"I'm not really sure," Max said, scratching his head. "Oh! Maybe my sister knows! Wait here, I'll go get her!"
Before Kai could reply, Max dashed off again.
Moments later, he returned dragging along a brown-haired teenage girl by the wrist.
The girl looked about Misty's age, with shoulder-length hair curling slightly outward at the ends. Her gentle yet spirited expression made her instantly recognizable.
It was May, the future Hoenn companion of Ash Ketchum.
Compared to Misty, she was softer-spoken and more composed, though her curiosity often led her into trouble.
Kai realized that since he had arrived in Hoenn a few days earlier than Ash, May must be right on the verge of starting her own Pokémon journey.
At the time of Ash's arrival in Littleroot Town, May had been on her way there to meet Professor Birch for her first Pokémon and fate had brought their journeys together.
But now, with Ash still a few days from reaching Hoenn, it made perfect sense that Kai was meeting her first.
May, slightly confused at being pulled along, straightened up politely once she noticed the visitors.
"I'm sorry," she said, bowing lightly. "My father was called away by the Pokémon League for an urgent matter. He said he'll be back in about three days."
"Three days, huh…" Kai murmured. Waiting that long wasn't ideal. He'd likely have to move on and come back later.
"In that case," he said, shaking his head, "I'll just return once he's back."
He turned to leave, but Max suddenly called out, "Wait, Mr. Kai!"
Both Kai and May looked toward him in surprise.
Max grinned, pulling out a notebook and pen from behind his back. "Could I have your autograph? I'm your biggest fan!"
Kai laughed. Of all the places to have a fan, he hadn't expected one here, and a familiar face at that.
"Of course." Taking the pen, Kai asked, "And what's your name, young man?"
Standing tall, Max declared proudly, "I'm Max! I'm seven years old, and someday I'm going to travel the world and become a great Trainer like my dad and like you!"
"That's a fine dream," Kai said warmly. "Your father's an incredible Trainer, respected by many. If you keep that spirit, he'll definitely be proud of you."
With a few elegant strokes, Kai signed the notebook:
'Stay true to your dreams, and may they come true'
Your friend—Kai.'
Max's eyes lit up as he read it, trembling with excitement.
As Kai returned the pen, he noticed May crouched beside his Torchic, watching it curiously.
"You like it?" he asked.
May blinked, looking up. "It's really cute. What's it called?"
"This is Torchic," Kai replied. "A Fire-type Pokémon."
"Fire-type… Torchic," May repeated softly. "Its feathers look so warm and soft."
Kai smiled. "You'll be getting your first Pokémon soon, right? Since you're Norman's daughter, I imagine you'll head to Professor Birch's lab?"
At the mention of traveling, May's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's right! As soon as Dad's back, I'm going to Littleroot Town to meet Professor Birch."
"In that case," Kai said, "when you choose your first partner, consider Torchic. Treecko and Mudkip are great choices too—but trust me, you won't regret picking Torchic."
"Torchic, huh…" May looked down again at the tiny orange chick Pokémon. Cute, fiery, and full of spirit—just like the kind of adventure she imagined.
After Kai and Erika left the Gym, May turned to find Max still grinning over his autograph.
"You got his signature?" she asked. "Is he really that famous?"
"Are you kidding me?" Max rolled his eyes. "That's Kai! He's the Champion of both the Silver and Indigo Conferences—he crushed his opponents! How could you not know him?"
"Wow… he's that strong?"
May thought back to Kai's calm demeanor and warm smile. It was hard to picture him as someone who dominated an entire League.
Max continued, "And he told you to pick Torchic, right?"
May nodded.
"Then go with it," Max said seriously. "I was going to suggest Treecko, but if Kai said Torchic, then that must be the right choice. Fire beats Grass anyway—and honestly, I think Torchic suits you perfectly."
May couldn't help but smile. Maybe he was right.
—
Outside the Petalburg Gym, Kai opened his PokéNav and checked the map.
If he skipped this Gym for now, it wouldn't matter much; he could circle around Hoenn and return later. Still, it meant changing his route a bit.
With a small shrug, he and Erika set off toward their next destination Rustboro City, far to the north.
The journey wouldn't be easy; they'd have to pass along Hoenn's long western coastline and cross the dense Petalburg Woods. But that was what traveling was all about meeting new people, exploring the unknown, and growing stronger alongside their Pokémon.
Soon, the city faded behind them, replaced by the sound of crashing waves and the golden stretch of the Hoenn shoreline.
Erika gazed at the sea and smiled. "Want to walk along the beach? Maybe we'll spot some Water-types unique to Hoenn."
Kai nodded. "Sure, why not?"
As they walked down to the sand, Kai silently reviewed all the Water Pokémon native to the region. None stood out aside from Kyogre, of course.
He glanced at Erika again, smiling faintly.
'Forget rare Pokémon' he thought. 'For now, I'll just enjoy walking beside her.'
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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