Hello everyone! While I may not be much of a writer, I felt compelled to write this story that has been floating around in my head while I sleep. We'll have to see how far I go with this, though I do have a plan. I love this pairing, when of course, May is appropriately aged. Bare with my poor grammar, I'll hopefully get into the swing of things eventually! Also, there is a bit of a flashback/retelling of events in the middle.
She had woken up to the noise of tree branches rattling and the leaves crinkling. Spots of sunlight peeked through the canopy of the trees and the boards of the ceiling. Her eyes slowly creaked open, breaking the crystalized seal of previous tears. A fuzzy nose nudged against her cheek. May rolled over, scooping up her affectionate Skitty, Ivy, cuddling and purring into her chest.
"Thank you so much for the peaceful wakeup-call," she croaked sarcastically to the feline. May threw her legs over the edge of the bed and sluggishly drug herself from under the covers. Sitting up she glanced over to her PokéNav, which lie on a small table near her bed. To no surprise it was free from any messages. Though she would occasionally receive some from her parents to check in on her. The clock read it was 11:30 AM November 11. Suddenly her brain awakened realizing she had drastically overslept.
"Shit! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm up now!"
May quickly slid over to her small refrigerator tucked away in the corner of the room, peering inside woefully. It was almost barren, only containing a glass pint of milk and a couple Pecha berries tucked away. She snagged the milk, popping off the metal lid and took a large swig. Turning back she saw Ivy meowing on her bed with sad eyes. May smiled, grabbed a small dish from atop of the fridge and set it down near her feet, pouring half of the milk for her feline friend.
"I know it's not your favorite but I forgot to pick up anything for us to really eat. I'll be back after today's run with something special, okay?"
Ivy brushed against her legs lapping up her breakfast. May downed the remains of the bottle and raced toward her dresser. She pulls out a loose tank top and a pair of gym shorts and quickly tugs them on. She'd normally adjust her hair into a styled ponytail however she was rushing for time. Bouncing towards the door pulling on her sneakers she snagged the Pecha Berry and her hair scarf stuffing them into her pouch she slung across her body.
May grabbed the edges of the ladder secured to the balcony of her tree and slid down with a loud thud hitting the ground. A head perked up around the base of with a surprised call.
"Heh heh, it's alright" she replied softly, petting the disgruntled feathers of the magnificent Altaria perched atop the branches of the great tree. May slid the berry from her pocket, offering it to her beloved pokémon. "I know I'm late so we have to hustle a little bit". The Altaria drifted down to the ground as nimble as feather in the air. She stroked the back of it's neck, lifting her leg across and settling herself in the saddle of feathers.
"Okay Sora, we're ready"
The elegant dragon swept up and out of the cover of the trees, speeding through the air across the mainland towards the small island resort.
"Congratulations, you and your pokémon are truly a powerful force".
These were the words that Steven Stone, former champion, had spoken to May immediately after his defeat. He was what May envisioned as the perfect Champion of Hoenn; elegant, compelling, and passionate.
May had longed dreamed of becoming champion, always knowing some day she could triumph over the elite four. She was confident in herself, pushing herself further, challenging herself to test her strength as a trainer. Her father, Norman, had always supported her and encouraged her to become the magnificent trainer he knew she could be. She had proved herself as an exceedingly strong trainer sweeping through the gyms, facing off against a villainous organization, and making contact with great legendary pokémon. Now she finally had reached her calling.
Shortly after the news spread of the newly inducted champion, the media and admiring trainers bombarded May. She was flattered at first, however it slowly made her uncomfortable. Steven loved the attention, whenever he an May were out in public he would always put on a show for the press. She remembered watching all the interviews and stories covering the champions when she herself was a young trainer, but never realized how much pressure it put on the people they harassed. Thankfully, Steven was alongside May and took most of the spotlight.
She was ready to face off against Hoenn's best trainers in fierce battle's to protect her title, however, there were little to approach her. The few that managed to get past the challenge of the elite four were severely underwhelming. She began to realize that the position that she admired so much was not as glorious as it seemed. To May it was all part of an act, just putting on a good show for the public. She missed her younger years, faces great challenges and competing against those who gave her a good fight.
May began to forgo her duties as champion, dodging the crowds and avoiding confrontation with Steven. She would try to arrange meeting with friends like Brendan, Wally; hell even Archie would be a treat to hang around with. But they would remind her that she should be focusing on being champion and she was needed elsewhere.
"May! I'm delighted to see you! I see to it you have been successful in your battles against these fine young trainer, would you perhaps have some spare time?"
Steven cordially invited May. She begrudgingly accepted, just to get time spent with him out of the way. She had once loved his overflowing personality, however lately it just seemed to annoy her.
Together they left from the Pokémon League, heading out towards EverGrande city. She was lagging behind until Steven stopped to wait and look to her.
"May, darling, I see you aren't exactly talkative. I'm truly sorry if you had an unsatisfactory day. However, I noticed you haven't exactly been in touch with the people and I would think it's in your best interest if you gave them some of your time. Thus, I have arranged for us to meet with a —"
"Steven, I'm just going to go home, I'm not in the mood to put on any sort of show. I'm sorry." May replied frankly.
"Wha—What do you mean? I don't think you realize what it really entails to be the champion of the Pokémon League; you have to act as one! The champion must take their job seriously or else…. You really must start to act a little more mature about your situation."
May gritted her teeth, trying to hold back her anger form that last comment.
"Steven, honestly, I've been thinking about it and I'm no longer—"
At that moment a loud buzzing sound came from inside Steven's coat. He paused to look at like he was hoping she'd finish, however she decided she best deliver the news in a better manner. He retrieved his PokéNav from his coat to answer a call. He stepped aside form May, allowing himself some privacy.
"Ah, well thank you for calling. Bye."
He turned back walking towards May, "Well I'm terribly sorry our plans have been cancelled. Perhaps we may reschedule it very soon."
She was relieved; she did not want to be the one to ruin the plans. Instead, he escorted her back to her home. It was a grand house in Sootopolis overlooking the lake. Steven and Wallace had given it as a gift to her as the new champion.
"I really do need to speak to you Steven, would you mind coming in?"
"Certainly! How could I say no to the beautiful champion?" He replied with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes. It won't be much longer for that. He sat down in her living area and patted the seat next to him to signal her to sit. She was a bit confused, whose house was this? She sat beside him and turned to face his steely eyes.
"You may have noticed I haven't been acting myself lately. I've been quite troubling thinking this over."
"I have noticed, please do share", he looked up at her with a concerned face.
"I honestly feel as though I am not suited to be champion. While I love the title and the challenge…" /Yeah right/"I find it not quite the thrill I'd hoped it would be."
"May if this is because of my comment earlier please forgive me, I was just a bit frustrated. You truly are a marvelous champion and I was only trying to nudge you in the direction that would inspire young trainers. I know, I'll call back the—"
She stood up looking away at the door with an angered face.
"No. I'm sorry, but…. I resign as Champion."
"Are you mad? Do you know what this'll do you your fans?! The reputation of the league will be tarnished! May I don't think you are clearly thinking this out!"
She motioned towards the door for him to leave. As he silently marched through the door he gave her a glance as his last chance of trying to break her; to see what really was wrong. As she heard him shut the door she bust into tears dashing towards her bedroom. She gathered her clothes and personal possessions stuffing them in a rucksack. She held back her sobs gripping her PokéNav on the way out, leaving the keys behind on the front table.
May decided to head towards her parent's home, knowing they'll be understandable. As she glided in the air she tried not to look at her pokémon to avoid breaking into tears again. May took her PokéNav from her pocket; she needed someone to talk to.
"Hello? May is that you?" Brendan answered.
"Hey Brendan! How are you? Would you mind meeting me at my parents house real soon?"
"May don't you have things you should be focusing on? Champion's don't have time to waste!"
She bit her lip. "That's why I quit… I really need to talk to you."
"YOU WHAT? MAY WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! It was your dream; it was my dream! How could you let an opportunity like that go!... I really need to go, you should rethink your choices…"
She threw the door open to her old home, gasping for breathe behind her tears. Her mother and father were sitting at the dining table turned towards her as if they were expecting she'd walk in just then.
"We need to talk. Brendan just called us. You need to call Steven", her father replied harshly.
Before thinking she spun her heels around, slamming the door behind her. She was trapped. She released her Altaria once more and shot off into the night sky. She could only think of one place she could stay for the mean time.
She soared just past Fortree city into the small forest covering. She landed quietly in a small patch where the trees divided. Looking around she found her childhood sanctuary. May climbed up into her old secret base, reliving the good memories. She tossed her bag and recalled her pokémon before she passed out on the bed. She could make this work.
Whenever may flies across Hoenn she recalls that painful night from two years ago. She thinks to herself, I may not be living as a once champion normally would, but I'm living as I wish to be. I'm perfectly content if I'm able to get by battling against those at the Maison.
As May landed at the battle resort she was surprised at the absence of tourists running around aimlessly. She turned towards a gentlemen passing by to ask him if there was an event of some sort to explain.
"It's couple's day, most people are out spending their time together… Speaking of which, babe, why don't we—"
She turned away abruptly and started walking towards the battle arena, ignoring the poor attempt to pick her up. She was still a bit surprised an adult would make a remark at a twenty year old. She knew she was a fair sight to see, but it was no excuse to be harassed.
As she entered the main building she was surprised to hear a vast number of hushed conversations, as if they were trying to hide what they were saying. She could hear most of the conversations regarding a certain someone who they'd seen on TV or heard of him from others. Perhaps Steven she thought? She stopped, suddenly thinking if he found out about her whereabouts. She was about to turn around and return home when she remembered she desperately needed the prize money for her pokémon and herself. She sighed and took one long deep breath. If it is him, I'll avoid confrontation at all costs.
Then she saw the figure upon the small stage and froze. A pit in her stomach began to form. A slender man, wearing black slacks, a deep maroon suit jacket, with neatly slicked back red haired pointed outwards stood before her. He had his arms crossed behind his back and was looking off like he was searching for something. As if he sensed her presence he made a quick turn towards her, facing her with a grin stretched ear to ear that sent shivers down her spine.
"Well, if it isn't my young hero," he hissed.
