You and your mother moved to Littleroot Town during a rather turbulent time for Hoenn; the region is receiving waves of migrants from distant, unmapped lands. Even so, your mother managed to buy a house in this run-down little town. As you step out of the moving truck, you see these enormous, muscular men from those distant lands, who have quickly snapped up all the manual labor jobs in Hoenn, given that they are physically stronger and more robust than the region's natives. You swallow hard when your mother flirts with them; it's clear this place will be VERY inhospitable for you… Mom: "Brendan!"

Your mother says, visibly blushing, as one of the movers puts his arm around her waist: Mom: "Why don't you go say hello to the neighbors? I-I heard Professor Birch has a daughter your age!"

You leave the house feeling both nervous and hopeful, consciously ignoring what will clearly happen while you're gone. You enter Professor Birch's house and go upstairs to the second floor, where a beautiful girl with blue eyes is biting her lip while chatting with one of "them."* May: "Oh, my…~♠" She turns around and raises an eyebrow. The spade tattoo on her left cheek clearly says she will never see you as a man: May: "W-what? You're Brendan?"

The girl lets out a disappointed huff, shuts down her computer, and gets up. May: "I-I thought you'd be different, UNGH!"

The girl goes back downstairs, leaving you alone. However, she stops and calls you: May: "Don't just stand there, dummy! Take that backpack from my chair and come with me!"

You decide to do as she says; the heavy backpack is full of Pokémon research equipment! Your scrawny, fragile body moves as if you're under increased gravity. May grumbles, muttering "great, a weakling" as she leads the way. May: "Hey, look..." May sighs and smiles at you somewhat apologetically: May: "Sorry, I shouldn't have had such high expectations without even knowing you. I'm May, it's a pleasure!"

They greet each other amicably! Well, this girl doesn't seem interested in you, but at least she seems like a good friend... May: "We have to cross Route 101. Don't worry, my Torchic will defend us!"

She smiles, showing you her Poké Ball, which relaxes you a little. However, on the outskirts of town, a trembling voice alerts them: Professor Birch: "Help! I'm being robbed!"

They run into the tall grass and see a tall, muscular man pushing Professor Birch against a tree: Thief: "Yo, give me that dayum bag! I'm gonna sell this Pokémon to the butcher! BWAHAHAHA!"

May sends out her Torchic; the guy looks at them, kicks the Torchic, and knocks the professor out with a punch. May: "W-wait, sir!"

She begs him: May: "T-there's no need to do this! Many of us support you coming to our region to work and start new families! P-please, let us help you!"

The man scoffs at her words and takes the bag. Thief: "Whadda' hell yo sayin', chick? Am ain't here fo' work 'n fair crap like dat, dis way's how an alpha get some money."

Scared, May pushes you, backpack and all: May: "Brandon, stop him!"

The muscular man slaps you on the head, and you lower your gaze submissively: Thief: "Beta kiddo, a give ya two ways: get da hell out and let me sell da loot, or lemme' see yo, girl, here."

He offers you with a confident, mocking smile. You know perfectly well that fighting him is impossible, that Professor Birch is knocked out, and you'll probably end up in a coma if you take the same punch. You try to protect May, but the girl gives you heart eyes and grabs the burly man's arm: May: "I-I'm sorry, Brandon… we'll go to the bushes up ahead. Please take Dad to a safe place."

The man sneers and starts to lead her away. You want to save her, but you know there's nothing you can do. As they walk away, May speaks to this man: May: "Ugh, I know! Such a loser, and my brother Max is the same!"

Professor Birch opens his eyes weakly. His gaze says it all: he prefers to sacrifice his daughter. What will you do?