Chapter 1
"Ladies and gentleman we are seeing one of the most intense championship battles ever!" A loud voice announced to a packed stadium in the Indigo Plateau.
The challenger for the crown ran his hand threw his black hair causing beads of sweat to flicker in the sunlight. After taking a deep breath he placed his cap back over his hair but this wasn't an ordinary cap, this was an official Pokémon League Expo cap. The young teen was dressed in a blue hoodie with black sleeves and light blue jeans and cobalt colored sneakers. As his nerves grow and his palms got wetter he pulled his fingerless black gloves tighter.
"Don't wimp out on me now!" The champion roared.
The champion hardly showed a sign of nervousness. His red hair was all spiked up. Using his famous blue outfit with a cape attached to his shoulders he prepared to call out his Pokémon's next attack.
"With one Pokémon remaining each, who will be champion?" The voiced from earlier continued.
The two Pokémon in the battle struggled to stay on their feet after intense battling. It was David versus Goliath as a small yellow mouse Pokémon faced off against a large orange dragon Pokémon.
"I'm going to end this. Dragonite use giga impact." The champion shouted.
"Pikachu you can do this, use volt tackle!" The challenger responded.
Dragonite's body became surrounded by an orange sphere of energy. The orange color faded and turned purple, with orange streaks of energy spiraling around the orb. Pikachu's body became surrounded by golden electricity. The two Pokémon charged each other down and collided in the center of the field creating a massive explosion. A stunned silence covered the stadium as everybody waited to see who the winner was. When the dust from the explosion settled Dragonite towered above Pikachu as the mouse Pokémon struggled to wake up.
"Dragonite use…" Was all the champion got out before his opponents Pokémon collapsed.
"The champion has done it. Ladies and gentlemen Ash Ketchum has given it his all but the fifteen year old from Pallet Town has crumbled under the experience of our champion!" The match commentator screamed into his microphone.
"Pikachu!" Ash screamed as he ran onto the field to check up on his Pokémon.
A few hours later
Blindfolded Ash found himself being led through a large laboratory by an old man in a lab coat. Suddenly a cold breeze brushed against Ash's face.
"This better not be one of your pranks Professor Oak." Ash threatened as he felt the sharp decrease in temperature.
"Just take off the blindfold." Professor Oak replied.
Ash fought the knot on the blindfold before deciding to just pull it off. With his vision blurry, the trainer from Pallet could only make out a festive scene with lots of people. As his vision cleared up he saw that the people were all his friends and he was at a party. Even though it was night it was still bright with all the lights that were set up. Ash cracked a smile as he saw a hastily put together sign that said, 'better luck next time.'
"Congratulations is spelt wrong." Ash commented as he walked up to large banner and pulled it down revealing a well made one.
"I was expecting you to win!" An angry feminine voice said as she embraced Ash. "You almost had him."
"I always love proving you wrong Misty." He replied as he hugged her back trying to sound positive. "Wow, it's been so long since I've seen you were this outfit."
Misty was wearing a yellow crop top and blue jean shorts held up with red suspenders. Her outfit was identically to the one she wore when met Ash, right down to the red and white sneakers.
"I thought it would be nostalgic if I used something similar to the day we first met." Misty answered as she twirled on the spot.
"You did me proud!" An older male shouted as he bear hugged Ash from behind. "If only Charizard just lasted a bit longer against Dragonite, Pikachu could have won."
"You have gotten strong with age Brock." Ash muttered as he struggled for air.
"You say that like I'm an old man. I'm only twenty years young!" Brock shot back, releasing Ash.
"You too." Ash joked.
Ash's comment was in response to the fact that Brock was wearing his green vest over an orange short-sleeved shirt, along with brown pants and blue sneakers.
"Misty is very persuasive." Brock admitted, showing Ash the bruises on his head.
"I must say I think Lance is the luckiest man in the world." Another male laughed.
He was roughly Ash's age and height. He had spiky brown hair and green eyes. He was wearing a plain black t-shirt with blue jeans all covered by a large lab coat.
"I can't believe it, Gary. I thought you were a big time Pokémon researcher now." Ash said excitedly.
"I just got of work and came straight here." Gary replied gesturing to his lab coat.
Ash's old rival glanced at the red headed gym leader before turning to leave. He lost his sense of balance and stumbled away. "I'll catch up with you later Ashy. I have to give a message to gramps."
"I guess I have to wait even longer for our champion versus champion showdown." A young man behind Ash said.
"You could be nicer!" A young girl holding his hand scolded.
The young man had long purple hair that suited him. He was using a blue jacket with black sleeves over a navy blue shirt and grey pants. The girl holding his hand had blue hair and was wearing a black and white shirt with a short pink skirt. She also hand knee high pink boots.
"I am truly honored, the Sinnoh region champion, Paul and his grand festival winning girlfriend." Ash half heartily joked.
Ever since Paul became the champion, when he was thirteen, three years ago he used every opportunity he got to rub it in Ash's face but today was different. Paul was being nice, in his own way. He knew Ash suffered a heartbreaking defeat and was trying to cheer him up.
"After a performance like that I think you should try taking a run at Paul's title. His ego could use some deflating." The blue hair girl joked much to her boyfriends chagrin.
"I should be congratulating you Dawn. You've won three grand festivals in a row and you're only fifteen. That's a record right." Ash pointed out.
"I don't like to brag but yeah." Dawn blushed.
"Ash I just wanted to say that you were great out there and deserved to win. Next time for sure." A soft, shy voice added.
"Thanks…" Ash said turning around before he became tongue tied.
A young girl his age stood before him. Her blue eyes locked on to his. The brunette was dressed in a pink half shirt with a yellow heart on it. She also wore a peach veil with a green gem on top, and a peach long skirt with a piece of pink fabric at the waist.
"May, You look err you look…" Ash stuttered.
During Ash's stuttering Dawn nudged Paul before letting go of his hand.
"Okay Romeo, let's find your common sense." Paul said as he dragged Ash to meet all the other guests with Brock in tow.
Dawn and Misty each grabbed one of May's arms and pulled into the laboratory. The brunette let of a shriek before turning to her friends.
"Thank Paul for me." May said as she placed her hand on her chest to feel her beating heart.
"Don't worry about it. He'll keep Ash busy while you compose yourself." Dawn reassured.
"I look ridiculous. He probably thinks I'm going to a contest or something." May moaned.
"Nonsense, you look great. Besides this was the best outfit you had on you." Misty chimed in.
"I know; I blew all my money on the express train so I could get her today." May said.
"You know you like him and you know he likes you. Go out there and tell him how you feel." Dawn coached.
"I'm not sure. He lost today and if I try something it might seem like I'm trying to take advantage. What if he…" May protested.
"Listen to me, when he was training for his match against Lance all he did was talk about you." Misty explained. "And all you do when we talk on the phone is rant about him."
"I don't rant." May pouted.
Ash being forceful led by Paul and Brock greeted the other guest. All of them were expecting to be at a championship celebration but they were enjoying the better luck next time party.
"Hey Brock, isn't that Officer Jenny in a miniskirt and tank top." Paul announced.
"What? Where?" Brock bellowed as he dragged Paul away to show him his favorite police officer.
Ash stood bewildered. He was upset that he was left behind, he was a fifteen year old boy and Officer Jenny in a miniskirt and tank top would be a rare sight, like a shiny Pokémon.
"Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives." May babbled from behind Ash.
Ash turned and smiled sheepishly at May. His eyes were wide as if he had just had a realization during a moment of clarity. "I'm sorry I didn't catch that."
May did her best not to fall over and smiled back thinking that this was classic Ash. "Last year we used to spend almost all our time together but now…"
"I know what you mean. I really miss that." He reached out towards her extending his hand.
"Some chosen one you turned out to be." A shrill voice interrupted the mood.
Ash and May turned their eyes to source of their discomfort. Beside them was a sixteen year old girl. She had long brown hair and her eyes were covered by sunglasses. She was wearing a pink top and blue jeans.
"Now I feel really bad. You came all the way from Shamouti Island and I lost. I'm sorry Melody." Ash apologized.
"If you let me kiss you on the lips this time I'll forgive you." Melody moved closer to Ash.
May's body began trembling as she watched this strange girl make a move on Ash. The spiky haired trainer's feet failed him; he was rooted to the spot. He was praying May would do something but she was just as frozen as him.
"You're too smooth for your own good." Paul hissed as he reappeared and grabbed the back of Ash's collar dragging him away.
May let out a sigh of relief while Melody stood puzzled and kind of embarrassed.
'That was close. She almost stole my first kiss. Why didn't May do anything?' Ash thought as he was towed away.
"I just froze. She was leaning in and he was just standing there." May sobbed as Misty and Dawn tried to encourage her.
"Well Melody has always been a bit forward." Misty noted.
"Forget about that. Just concentrate on the task at hand. Before Ash started his run for the championship you two spent so much time together. If he decides to go for the title again you need to make sure you're there with him as his girlfriend and not just a friend." Dawn coached while rubbing the brunette's shoulders.
"What if I just take my time waiting for the right moment?" May pondered.
"Are you crazy? I was with Paul before he became champion. Once he had that crown, every girl that met him wanted a piece of him even though he was taken. Imagine how they are going to throw themselves at Ash if he is a single champion." Dawn filled May's head with dread.
"So how was it?" Ash asked eagerly as he and Paul found Brock.
"How was what?" Paul responded.
"Officer Jenny in a miniskirt and tank top." Ash whispered.
Brock turned to Ash and placed his hands on his shoulders. With his squinted eyes locked on Ash's he prepared to speak. "Ash, remember when we saw the aurora created by Deoxys." Ash nodded like a child. "We thought that would be greatest wonder we would ever see. We were wrong. Officer Jenny wearing a miniskirt and tank top chatting to Nurse Joy wearing a sundress is the greatest wonder." The two long time friends continued to stare at each other with tears flowing down their faces.
"I can't believe I'm friends with either of you." Paul grumbled while making sure no one saw the scene.
"Ahem, I hope you're not corrupting Ash. Lucy wouldn't like that." Misty threatened.
Ash and Brock separated trying to act as innocent as possible.
"We were just discussing politics." Brock covered up.
"Y…Yeah, I…I was just saying that Brock should run for Mayor of Pewter." Ash stuttered.
"What am I going to do with you?" May teased.
Ash's body went limp as he hunched over defeated.
"I didn't mean it like that!" May panicked.
"Excuse me." A stern voice caught their attention. The much older male was dressed in a formal business suit. He had greenish spiky hair with small bangs.
"You! You're the guy who tried to capture Lugia." Misty screamed.
"Yeah, what was your name? I read about you." Brock struggled to remember.
"Lawrence the third." Ash answered.
"Oh, that was so long ago. I'm a Pokémon researcher now." Lawrence laughed.
"Oh my Mew!" A woman shrieked. Everyone turned their heads to see a blonde who had spiraled out curly hair. She was wearing a blue cocktail dress.
"Annie from Alto Mare!" Ash screamed.
"What kind of idiot was in charge of invitations?" Paul mumbled to Dawn.
Somewhere in the lab Tracey felt a shiver run down his spine.
"I can't believe it. When I was in prison I read all about you. You're the greatest non affiliated Pokémon hunter ever." Annie gushed.
At an unknown location in the Sinnoh region. "I sense a disturbance in the force." Hunter Jay grumbled.
"I was a Pokémon collector and those days are behind me. I now dedicate my life to studying Pokémon." Lawrence smiled. "Would you like to hear about my research?"
The two former villains walked away arm in arm.
"Should we be worried that they just got together?" Brock pointed out.
"Even if they are bad news they do make a cute couple." Dawn nudged May in the ribs.
"Speaking of cute criminal couples, Jessie and James got married." Paul mentioned.
"WHAT!" Misty yelled. "How do you know that?"
"I was at the wedding. They invited me." Paul answered.
"They spent all that time chasing me and they invited you to their wedding." Ash whined.
"We need to have a girl talk." May squeaked as he grabbed Misty and Dawn before rushing off.
Ash, Paul and Brock stood near the lake. The three reminisced about old times and how well they were now.
"I've got the title but it would all mean nothing if I didn't have Dawn." Paul boasted, trying to get Ash to open up.
"I know that, if I didn't have Nurse Joy, I would be empty." Brock said, trying to help.
"Brock, she's not your girlfriend if she doesn't know about the relationship." Paul sighed.
"What we have is special. We don't conform to social norms." Brock retorted.
"I wish I had her." Ash mumbled to himself but it was loud enough for the other two to hear.
"Say something kiddo." Paul teased.
"No, I was just thinking." Ash said changing the topic. "How did you and Dawn get together?"
"I clearly remember Dawn explaining this last year at Misty's birthday." Paul scolded. "If you want to know ask Dawn. She loves telling that story."
"Oh I don't recall." Ash admitted.
"Of course you don't. You spent the whole party stalking a certain brunette." Brock burst out.
"I was stalking, just admiring from afar." Ash defended.
The Pokémon trainer was so focused on the lake he didn't notice Brock and Paul sneak away and May walk up next to him. The brunette stepped lightly until she was close enough to touch him.
"I don't think I've seen the moon so beautiful." He said, much to her surprise.
"Yeah, but I think having someone to look at it with makes it more beautiful." She replied as he smiled.
As the two stood together the still lake came to life. From the center of the lake a serpent like Pokémon emerged. It was cream in coloration, with red eyes and three black dots down its neck. It had red-colored hair-like fins draping from the sides of the head. The Pokémon's scales glistened in the moonlight.
Dawn, Paul, Misty and Brock watched the two at the lake from far. The Pokémon emerging from the lake was a surprise to them
"Nice touch Dawn." Misty complimented.
"I don't have a Milotic." Dawn responded puzzled.
"It's mine." Paul said, watching his Pokémon do what he taught it.
"You're such a show off." Dawn complained.
Milotic released dozens of pink hearts from its body into the air. The water type Pokémon then fired an ice beam causing the hearts to freeze before they shattered into fine pink mist that hovered above the lake.
"That's something you don't see every day." Ash joked.
"Moments like this are rare." May commented.
"I know. You don't see Milotic do that often." Ash responded.
"That's not what I meant." May noted.
"I'm sorry. You came all this way to cheer me on and I lost."
May just smiled as she leaned against Ash.
"Ash, I…." The Hoenn native was about to speak when something interrupted her.
"Am I a failure?" He asked blindsiding her.
"What are you talking about?" May stumbled away from him.
"I haven't won a league title and the only reason I was able to challenge the Kanto elite four and Lance was because Paul gave me a recommendation." Ash admitted. "Professor Oak offered me a chance to become a researcher like him, the Pokémon ranger service said they could use my help and Riley offered to train me as an aura guardian. Maybe I should take one of those paths of life."
"You know you earned it. How many times have you saved the world without being thanked? You're just feeling this way because you suffered a loss. Remember when we used to travel, if you got beat you would sulk for days on end. But after some traveling you managed to find peace. It like your mother says you were born to wander." She smiled back at him.
"That's it! You're brilliant!" Ash shouted as he grabbed May by her shoulders and pulled her close so he could press his lips against her cheek. "I'll just go on an adventure. Just me and Pikachu traveling and then I'll be able to decide whether I should be a researcher, ranger or guardian."
The Pallet native ran towards his house leaving the brunette stunned in silence. She held her hand over her cheek too shocked to call out to him.