Hey there people. Welcome to my second story, Rose of May. This story is rather unique, taking some aspects that have been used before. I'll continue talking at the end, if you're interested, so enjoy! All credit to Leotumagic on Deviantart for the wonderful cover!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
'Catch me if you can!' The gratitude Pokemon shouted, running as fast her small legs could carry her. Obviously, the trainer didn't run very fast. Where would the fun be then?
"Shaymin, give it a break!" May shouted at her happily, sitting in the soft grass while watching her husband chase her. They were still young, only having married 2 years ago, being in their mid twenties. But neither of them cared, they were happy with each other.
'Do I have to?' Shaymin whined, Ash being happy over the break. 'It was so much fun!'
"Yeah, but I'm tired," Ash added, finally getting Shaymin to stop, letting her rest on his lap as he sat next to his wife. "Here's something for your effort in not getting caught my by me."
'Tasty!' Shaymin exclaimed, happily eating away out of Ash's hand. It was a weird situation really. They had first met back in Sinnoh, many years ago. Then they had met again, now with May by his side. Originally they hadn't gotten along very well, which changed after their adventure. Two years later she somehow found him, she had been looking for him, and she was a lot more friendly and playful with him. 'Can we continue playing?'
"Haven't we played enough for one day?" Ash asked, knowing he couldn't say no if Shaymin really tried to convince him, but he had to try.
'Alright.' Shaymin admitted defeat, jumping out of Ash's lap and instead jumping on May's lap.
"Don't do that!" May exclaimed, taken a little by surprise at the sudden weight in her lap. Starting to pet her, Shaymin cooed in joy over the treatment and slowly felt her eyes close.
"Finally, she's asleep." Ash sighed, relief in not having to chase her. It was fun, but rather exhausting when she had so much energy.
"Maybe you should let Pikachu do the work next time." May suggested, Pikachu grumbling in response. He clearly didn't like the idea.
"Nah, even though it is exhausting, it's more than worth to see this happy," Ash replied, thinking back to their first meeting. That was a weird adventure they had together. "Think we should take her back?"
"We can't let her here, so I don't see another option." May really had nothing against it, being with Shaymin was always a joy.
"Let's go, Pikachu!" Ash called out to his starter, quickly catching up with trainer and jumping up on his shoulder, watching Shaymin. Her addition to their little group had surely changed their dynamic. From a rather calm group, Shaymin had brought in more energy than all three of them had combined. She was always happy, always wanting to play with them and never in any way being disrespectful or rude towards them.
"I'm going to fix something to eat for us, then we can go out and practice for the contest." May said, compared to Ash still competing actively in the contest circuit. Even though Ash wasn't competing, trainers still sought to battle him. He had became rather famous as the Kanto and Johto Champion, but decided to resign and hand it over to Lance. Instead he picked up the title of gym leader, and rebuilt the Viridian gym to his liking after it had been handled by temporary leaders and such.
"You know that I'm not that good at contest battles, and probably won't give you the practice you need." Ash tried to escape, having against contest battles but preferring to have real battles. At least he enjoyed watching her perform. Feeling movement in her lap, having placed Shaymin there after sitting down on a chair, May looked down at her little friend.
"Hey Shaymin, what do you say about watching me and Ash have a contest battle?"
'Yes!' Shaymin couldn't be more excited, already having seen her fair share of battles between Ash and May. Preparing to head back outside, they were interrupted by the phone ringing.
"I'll take it," May put the phone to her ear. "May Ketchum."
"I wonder what it's about." Ash said mostly to himself, both of them having gotten some interesting calls over the years.
"Alright, I'll be there tomorrow," May finished the call, before putting the phone. "They'll be holding a contest in Goldenrod tomorrow and they want me there."
'Can I come with you?' Shaymin inquired, looking with begging eyes at Ash and May.
"I'm sorry Shaymin, but we can't let you come with us. You're a legendary Pokemon, that's not captured, and we are going to Johto's biggest city and attending a major event there. Do you know how many people would hunt you the moment the word of you being spotted spread?"
"We'll try and come back as soon as possible, but we don't know when that'll be." May continued, not looking any happier than Shaymin, or Ash for that matter.
'Okay,' It was impossible to not hear the sadness in Shaymin's voice. But, her expression quickly changed, lighting up as idea entered her mind. 'I got to do something!'
"That was fast." Ash didn't know that Shaymin's could change that quick.
"Well, I'm glad that she isn't that down about us leaving anymore," May really didn't see like seeing her like that. "You better pack, we're leaving in a few hours."
"You're still not able to do that on your own?"
"No."
"Come on, I'll help you."
"Shaymin, what's the hurry?" Arceus asked, sitting on his throne as he watched the little Pokemon run faster than he thought possible.
"I really need help, and you're the only who can help me." Shaymin nearly pleaded, knowing that her chances were slim. But she would nearly do anything for it to come true.
"Then tell me Shaymin, what is it you wish?" Arceus didn't know what to expect, it was rare for any of his legendaries to ask for his help. Watching Shaymin, Arceus knew that whatever she wanted to say was something she thought wouldn't please him.
"I want to become a human." Had he heard that correct? She wanted to become a human?!
"Shaymin, are you sure that you want that? Why would you even want that?" Shaymin looked on the ground, slowly returning her eyes to look at him.
"I want to be part of a family." Shaymin admitted, looking a little embarrassed at her words.
"But why do you need to be human for that?" Arceus didn't exactly understand Shaymin's intentions yet, but he planned on finding out.
"Because I want to be part of Ash's family." Shaymin knew that her chances were pretty much nonexistent. Why should Arceus grant her the wish of being human so she could have a family?
Arceus was speechless. Shaymin wanted to be human so she could live with his Chosen One. "Are you romantically interested in him?"
"What?! No!" How could Arcues think that?! "I want to be his daughter!"
"I have never heard any of the legendaries having a similar request, nor have I ever heard any Pokemon wish for something similar." Arceus knew that Shaymin would be heartbroken if he didn't her grant the wish, but could he really grant her the wish?
"Please Arceus," Shaymin started to sob, not knowing what to do. She could continue being with Ash and May, but they would never be a real family. "My existence isn't even important, and there's another Shaymin out there!"
"Shaymin," Arceus felt his resistance slowly fade away, knowing there was nothing with granting her wish. "I will grant you your wish.
"Thank you!"
"But, it will not be permanent. Once time is up I'll let you decide if you want stay as a human, or if you want to turn back. Just in case," He would regret this, but by making it temporary unless she decided to permanently stay as a human he at least wouldn't blame himself if she regretted anything. "Now, step closer Shaymin. I'll warn you though. I have never done anything like this before, and I don't know all of the consequences. You might not be the same when you wake up next time. You might act different, feel different. You might not even remember anything of your time as a Pokemon."
"I understand, and I will take that risk." Shaymin replied, having more courage than she thought she had.
"Well then. Prepare yourself," Arceus started to work his magic, Shaymin being covered in light as he started the transformation. "I wish you happiness Shaymin."
"Thank you again." Shaymin's voice could be heard, though not longer the same as before. Focusing more energy into the transformation, Arceus finished it by teleporting Shaymin away.
"I hope you're ready for this, Chosen One."
"Here, could you take this?" Ash asked, handing his bag over to May. "I'm heading to the ranch with Pikachu."
"But don't stay too long, I'll start preparing lunch." May told him, giving him a soft kiss on the lips, leaving Ash and Pikachu alone as she entered the house.
"Let's see how everyone has been doing while we were gone." Ash said to Pikachu, as he started to walk towards Prof. Oak's lab. It was a wonder that he was still was able to continue his work, especially at his age. He probably would have to retire in a few years time and hand it completely over to Gary, who had taken more and more responsibility over the years when it came to the lab and research. "I wonder what May will be cooking for lunch."
"Pi, kapi chu." Pikachu often didn't share the same opinion as Ash when it came to May's cooking. Ash loved it, while Pikachu couldn't say the same thing about it.
"It's not bad, it's just you who can't stand it." Ash defended May's cooking, enjoying it a lot actually. Knocking on the door, Ash waited for whoever was inside to let him in.
"Ah, you're back." Of course it had to be Gary Oak. Their relationship had grown even better over the years, from being good friends to being even better friends. And they still regularly competed against each other, with Gary having practiced again so he would at least stand a chance against Ash.
"I'm just here to visit everybody, and I'm on a leash." Ash regretted saying those words, a big grin appearing on Gary's face.
"I suppose she's preparing lunch?" Gary asked, enjoy the surprised look on Ash's face.
"How did you know?" Ash then remembered. Gary was married as well, so he probably often had the same experiences as he did. "Oh right, you're married to Dawn."
"Come on in, your Pokemon have been rather excited for you to come back." Gary couldn't help but laugh, knowing how they liked to greet Ash.
"Don't remind me," Ash loved all of his Pokemon dearly, but it was always one thing to be run over every time he was gone for more than a few days. Leading the way outside, Ash and Pikachu followed through the back door as the sun shone down of them on this clear afternoon. Normally, they could hear the moment Ash sat foot on the ranch but now it was eerily quiet. "Something's off.
"Well, I still got work to do. so I'll leave that up to you." Gary said, leaving Ash alone as he headed back inside.
"Something's definitely off here, Pikachu," Ash told his starter, only spotting a few of his Pokemon grouped over something. "Hey, what're they doing?"
Jumping off Ash's shoulder, Pikachu sprinted over to his friends, about to ask what was going on, until he spotted what had caught their attention. "Pikapi!"
Walking over to his Pokemon, Ash blinked a few times to make sure he wasn't imagining things. It couldn't be her, could it? "Shaymin!"
Slowly her eyes opened, revealing green eyes staring at Ash. "Ash?"
Ash couldn't not believe. Sitting on the grass was Shaymin, not as a Pokemon, but as a teenage girl. "You're human. How?"
"Arceus granted me my wish of being a human." Ash hadn't even registered that Shaymin was speaking his language and wasn't using telepathy anymore. Now that he looked at her, and took in everything in detail, Ash could clearly see the little Pokemon he had played with only a few days ago. The long green hair, the simple white dress and the two Gracideas in her hair.
"But why?" It struck Ash the moment the words left his mouth. How could he have not seen it earlier? The way she acted around him and May, the way she always said they were family. "Oh Shaymin. Is this so important to you?"
"Yes," There was no doubt in Shaymin's voice, "Father."
"F-Father?" Ash asked, trying to accept the fact that Shaymin wanted to be his child. He didn't even want to know how May would react about this. They obviously wanted to have a kid, but like this? Shaymin was everything they really wanted in a child, and May had suggested it once, but more as a joke than anything else.
"Can't I call you that?" Shaymin asked, her voice shaking slightly. Oh god, she was tearing up.
"No, it's alright," Ash took Shaymin's hand, shooing his other Pokemon away while Pikachu walked alongside him. "Come, let's go see May. She said she would fix something to eat and I don't see why she wouldn't let you eat with us."
"I want to be a Pokemon trainer." Shaymin suddenly said, breaking the little they had while walking through the lab, thankfully not running into Gary along the way. Seeing her tear was already ridiculous, and now this? He would have a lot of work to do.
"I'll see what I can do." Ash didn't even bother arguing here, not without May's help. Sprinting down the stairs, Pikachu took up the role of making sure nothing happened while Ash took it at a slower place, thinking how to explain everything to May.
"Are you coming, Father?" It would take him a long time to get used to it. Increasing his pace, Ash reached the bottom of the stairs where a smiling Shaymin was waiting with Pikachu. "Let's go!"
"Can't you help me?" Ash begged Pikachu, knowing he really need to improve in a lot of things if he wanted to keep up with Shaymin. Walking the rest of the way to the house in quiet, Ash pulled out his keys and unlocked the door as he let Shaymin and Pikachu inside, closing the door behind him.
"I'm in the kitchen!" May called, having started to cook, and not knowing what surprise would await her. Taking off his shoes, Shaymin having none, Ash walked through the living room into the kitchen, Pikachu on his shoulder again and Shaymin behind him. Hearing Ash, May turned around just as Ash stepped aside.
"Ash who-" May was flabbergasted, needing a moment to recognize the girl. "Shaymin?"
"I can explain everything, May," Ash started, trying to choose the right words. "Shaymin had Arceus turn her into a human, just so she could be part of our family."
"Part of our family?" May knew that the idea wasn't completely strange to her, but she had never thought it would end up like this. "You mean with us being your parents?"
"Yes," Shaymin hesitated a little. Ash had accepted it with a little surprise, but maybe May wasn't as ready yet. "Mother."
"I don't know that to say. Would you be okay with this?" May asked Ash, seemingly already embracing the idea.
"I would like it," Ash said, knowing the moment Shaymin had called him father that it was something he could live with. "You can decide."
"Shaymin, I would love having you being a part of our family," May told her, a softness in her voice that even Ash heard rarely. "But don't expect it be perfect from the start. It will take a while for me and Ash to come to accept this new arrangement. And you calling us Mother and Father."
Shaymin had never been happier in her life. "Thank you so much!"
"Now, you will have to learn quite a lot if this is going to work out." Ash knew that Shaymin was aware of some things, but there was still quite a bit she didn't know.
"While we're at it, we should make it official that you're our daughter. On paper it will be seen as adopted." May continued, Shaymin not really worried about any of those things by the looks of it. "I don't think telling them that Shaymin is your name may be the brightest idea, so we'll change it to Shay. Now, come here."
Taking her hand, Ash pulled her closer before all three of them embraced in a hug. "Pikachu, you're obviously part as well." Ash couldn't think having a family without Pikachu. Hearing Ash's words, Pikachu took his new found spot on Shaymin's head, getting out a small giggle from her. "Also, she wants to be a Pokemon trainer."
"Dinner's ready!" May's voice rang across the ranch, three people enjoying the summer evening outside, slowly starting to move as dinner called.
"I wonder what they managed to prepare, considering May and Dawn are great cooks." Gary pondered, walking rather slowly across the rant towards the table placed right outside the laboratory.
"I hope they managed to keep Korrina away from the kitchen. I don't want to know what could happen." Alain shuddered at the thought, thankfully being able to cook himself.
"Heh, I don't think they would even let her get close," Ash said, knowing that May, and Dawn, could be very protective of some things. "Maybe they let her help them, without letting her do any actual cooking."
"Let's find out then, I'm starving." Alain decided, increasing pace and plopping down on one of the chairs. Taking their seats next to him, they waited patiently for their wives, or fiancée in Alain's case, to bring out the food.
"When are you going to marry?" Gary inquired, knowing that they were engaged, but neither had mentioned when, or where, their wedding would take place.
"We thought about having it in a month's time or so." Alain replied, smiles appearing on both of his friends' faces. Before they could continue their conversation, food was served.
Putting down plates and silverware, Korrina was always the more excited one of them. "Well, hello there boys." Korrina greeted them, Alain getting a kiss on the cheek from her. Even though she wasn't as collected as May or Dawn, she made up for it by being an amazing trainer. Not that May or Dawn were any worse, they still were some of the best coordinators out there.
"That looks delicious." Of course Ash would be the one to say that, being able to eat the same amount as two of them ate together.
"You surpassed my expectations once again." Gary complimented Dawn, in a completely different way than Ash had done it. Blushing at the compliment, Dawn gave Gary a soft hug from behind before walking around the table and sitting down next to May.
"So, how long are you two staying?" May asked, the question directed at Alain and Korrina.
Shooting her a quick glance, it was Alain who answered. "We thought about staying until a few days after the Indigo League is over, then we have to head back and start preparing for our wedding."
"Wedding? Congratulations!" Dawn exclaimed, neither Alain or Korrina having told them about their wedding. "When will it be held?"
"We planned on holding it a month after our return, giving us enough time to prepare everything. Obviously, you're more than welcome." Korrina told them, wearing a big smile as Alain puts an arm around her shoulders.
"Now, let's talk about you a little, or your daughter to be more specific," Alain decided, shifting the attention to Ash and May. "How has Shay been coming along?"
"Yeah, I'm actually interested. I haven't seen her since she left for her journey." Korrina continued, all of them knowing who Shaymin really was. But for them it was no problem, and they happily accepted her as Ash and May's daughter.
"We got a call from her a few days ago, saying she had made it past Victory Road safely." May said, everyone happy to hear that.
"Tell me Ash, considering you're invited as a gym leader, who do you think will have a good shot at making it into the top 4?" Alain asked, knowing that Ash liked looking up trainers if they caught his interest, and with him being the Viridian gym leader he met a lot of trainers who potentially have a good chance at making it far.
"I'm not going to spoil it for you, where would the fun be in that?" Ash laughed, knowing that Alain never looked up trainers, even though he had always been the calmer and more serious trainer of them. "I like to think that Shaymin will make top 8."
"That high on her first attempt? Aren't you a little biased?" Gary joked, even Ash chuckling at the joke.
"I don think so. I battled her not too long ago, and she managed to defeat me without using her ace. So far I know, she hasn't used it in any official battle yet." Ash replied, knowing what Shaymin's ace was.
"But you know." Gary stated, having been there when she got her starter. He had known that she had another Pokemon, simply because she was wearing its pokeball around her neck, as a necklace. "Well, we'll find out eventually."
"I actually know of a trainer, Calem, who said he was going to compete in the Indigo League," Alain told them, remembering to have met Calem on the plane to Kanto once. They had actually battled, and he had seemed like a decent trainer. "I think he has a chance at getting somewhere."
"I think I know who you're talking about. He showed a lot of promise during our battle, and his Pokemon were quite powerful," Ash said, trying to think if there was anything more about him. "With the experience of going through Victory Road, and the first few rounds I think he can finish top 16 or higher."
"Interesting. On the talk of Shay, do you think she's out looking for boys?" Gary asked. The silence was deafening, Ash looking he had some very bad intentions. "Ash, calm down. I'm sure Shaymin wouldn't let anyone get that close to unless she knew them really well."
"Ash, you shouldn't worry so much," Dawn added softly, trying calm Ash as best as she could. "She's 17 years old."
"You should have more trust in her," May assured him, standing up and placing a soft kiss on his cheek. "We've taught her everything she could, and she's more than capable of taking care of herself."
"You're right," Ash finally relented, another thought entering his mind. "How about heading to the Indigo League tomorrow and surprise her?"
"Look, there it is!" Shaymin exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the Indigo Plateau, her Pokemon following her hand with their eyes.
"I hope it was worth it." Feraligatr joked, their trip through Victory Road not being the most pleasant of trips.
"Don't make it sound like you didn't think it was interesting at all." Tropius said, one of her two calmer Pokemon, and also one of the few females in her party. Having recalled her other Pokemon, know they needed the rest, Shaymin walked along the road towards Indigo Plateau, and her chance at competing in the Indigo League.
"Come on, hurry up!" Shaymin shouted to her Pokemon, already sprinting up the stairs. Sadly for them, they were rather heavy and clearly not as fast as their trainer.
"Wanna see who's faster?" Feraligatr challenged, taking a step closer while waiting for Tropius to decide.
"You're on." Tropius replied, starting their race up the stairs. Watching, Shaymin couldn't say she wasn't amused by their antics. Since they had met, they always tried to beat each other through different means. Eventually reaching the top, Shaymin laughed at them before turning around and continuing her walk, her two Pokemon following closely.
"I'm going to recall you now. Then I'll let you rest." Shaymin said, both her Pokemon nodding in understanding before she recalled them. Taking the last steps, Shaymin entered the grand Indigo Plateau. Entering the massive hall, Shaymin made a straight beeline for Nurse Joy, who as usual was standing behind the counter.
"Hello. What can I do for you?" Nurse Joy asked politely, a kind smile on her face as she looked at Shaymin.
"I would like to heal up my Pokemon," Shaymin told Nurse Joy, handing her all six of her pokeballs, except her seventh which was still dangling around her neck. "Then I would also like to register for the Indigo League."
"Of course. I will need some form of id for that," Nurse Joy said, Shaymin pulling out her pokedex and handing it over. "A Ketchum? I didn't know our former champion had a kid."
"Can you please avoid mentioning that?" Shaymin asked, not wanting always to put together with her father. "I prefer not everyone knowing that I'm his daughter."
"No problem," Nurse Joy replied, giving Shaymin her pokedex before picking up her fully recovered Pokemon. "Good luck in the tournament."
Before Shaymin could thank her another trainer appeared. "Hey, have we met before?"
"I met you in Viridian, in the gym!" Shaymin remembered, the trainer wearing a red hat with sunglasses on it and a simple blue jacket with jeans, his black hair hanging down freely.
"I watched your battle, even though you seemed awfully friendly with the gym leader," How embarrassing! "You're a strong trainer."
"Thank you." Shaymin got out, her cheeks tinted a light red at the compliment. Nurse Joy thankfully interrupted before anything else could be said.
"I suppose you want to register for the Indigo League." Nurse Joy stated, saving Shaymin from the slightly awkward moment where she didn't know to say.
"I'll be seeing you." Shaymin got out, Nurse Joy waving something at her. Seeing that it was a key for a room, Shaymin took it, mouthing a 'thank you' to Nurse Joy. Heading in the direction where the rooms were, Shaymin changed her mind as she spotted a PC standing in a corner. She still needed to submit which Pokemon she would be using for the tournament. Placing each of her pokeball on it, even her necklace, Shaymin entered that she would be using all of them in the tournament. Seeing movement, she glanced to the side and spotted the trainer from earlier also submitting which Pokemon he would be using. Continuing the process, Shaymin kept shooting glances at him "Thanks for the praise."
"It was nothing," He replied, before looking up. "Especially considering how talented you are."
Shaymin couldn't stop herself from blushing, having to turn away so he wouldn't notice. Thankfully, he was rather indulged in the PC. "Thanks."
"What's your name?" He asked, looking at Shaymin.
"Shay." She had wanted to say her full name, but knew that it wasn't favorable for her if she did that.
"I'm Calem," Calem introduced himself, holding out his hand, accompanied by a smile. Looking at the hand, Shaymin took and smiled back. "So, are you from here?"
She could say Sinnoh, but that wouldn't be right. "Yeah, I'm from here."
"I'm from Kalos," Calem told her, looking like he thought back to how it was there.
"Kalos? I've never been there." Shaymin said, trying to remember what her father had told her about Kalos.
"It's a great place, but Kanto is amazing as well." Calem responded, glancing at his watch, turning his attention back to her. "I got to go. The opening ceremony starts in an hour, and I still need to make myself somewhat presentable."
"Oh, alright." Shaymin couldn't stop herself from sounding a little disappointed. She had met quite a few people, but she had a hard time connecting with them and forming any sort of bonds. It worked well with her Pokemon, and her family and their friends, but else it just didn't click for her.
"I'm sure we'll meet again, Shay." Calem said, smiling at her as he headed in the direction of the rooms.
"Maybe I should also head to my room." Shaymin thought about it, and decided that it was a good idea.
"Shay!" Shaymin would recognize the voice anywhere, catching the little girl running into her arms and spun her around.
"How's it going, Cecilia?" Shaymin tickled the blue-haired girl, earning a few giggles, eventually letting her run back to her parents. Standing across the hall were her parents, Dawn, Gary, Lily and their oldest daughter, Alina. She and Alina were rivals, Alina competing in contests and always trying to beat each other through different means.
"Come here dear." Her mother called, her father having an arm around her shoulders. Walking over to her parents, they hugged her tightly as she hugged them back.
"We're so proud of you." Ash wouldn't even have needed to say anything, Shaymin could clearly see, and feel, how proud he was of her.
"Hey champ!" Trying to peek around her father's shoulder, Shaymin spotted Alain and Korrina walking through the entrance. Sprinting over to them, Shaymin hugged Korrina and Alain. "It's great to see you. I'm expecting you to take this tournament by storm."
"Of course!" Shaymin assured him, shortly touching her necklace. Looking up at Alain, she got her hair ruffled, unable to escape because of Korrina's grip on her. "Stop it!"
"That's enough, Alain." Ash came to her rescue, Alain stopping to ruffle her hair and Korrina letting her go.
"So, are you excited for your first battle?" Gary asked, he and Dawn having been quiet so far.
"Sure am!" Shaymin replied confidently, pumping her first in the air.
"There's still an hour left, so how about we get something to eat?" Dawn asked, everyone agreeing to Dawn's suggestion. "Maybe we'll meet Brock along the way."
Before they could continue, a voice only Shaymin recognized spoke up. "Shay!"
"Shaymin, who is that?" Shaymin loved her father, but this one of his traits that could sometimes be annoying. He could be very protective.
"I can explain everything." Seeing her daughter, May knew how Ash could be sometimes and intervened in time.
"Ash, let's go. I'm sure Shay can handle herself," May calmed down her husband, placing a few soft kisses on his cheek. Feeling him relax, May guided him away, motioning for the others to follow. "Head to your room and prepare yourself. We'll see you at the ceremony."
"Shay, why are you still here?" Calem asked, looking at this watch. "There're only 45 minutes left."
"I met my parents." Shaymin answered his question, thinking what she wanted to do. She felt ready, and no need to take a shower or anything.
"How about we go for a walk before the ceremony?"
"Welcome trainers!" Lance boomed over the speaker system, the trainers cheering. "Today the Indigo League begins, with a grand total of 256 participants!"
"In order to raise the competition there will be an elimination stage, cutting down the amount of trainers to 64," Mr. Goodshow continued, having experienced a plethora of leagues, hosting them and even having taken part of them a long time ago. "We will hold 2 vs 2 battles, each of you taking part in two of those battles. With the elimination over, the real challenge begins and we will decide on the bracket. From there you will be facing 3 vs 3 battles, until we're down to the top 16. Today though, we have two honor guests here, who are going to deliver us a 1 on 1 battle in order to officially start off the tournament."
"My opponent will soon join me on the field, allowing himself a single battle before becoming a spectator, a spectacular trainer and worthy opponent. Let the games begin!"
Can you guess who Lance will be taking on? Of course you can. Now, to clarify some things. This obviously takes place after the anime, most characters averaging an age of late-twenties to early-thirties. There will be exceptions, but you should be able to know what they are when you see them. There will be 4 major shippings here, the focus being on Advanceshipping and Shaymin x Calem. Also, don't worry Advanceshippers, there will be a lot more moments in the coming chapters for you. Thanks for reading!