Chapter One

The sun gleamed high over the Hoenn region, casting a warm glow of the beautiful land. The waters glittered from the rays, and succulent berries weighed down the trees. Torkoal lumbered up Mt. Chimney, while Volbeat and Illumise buzzed through the vast flowers fields near Vernanturf Town. A family of Zigzagoon raced through Petalburg Woods, disturbing a sleeping Slakoth. While wild Pokémon rested and played, a Beautifly soared through the sky. The sun danced off its rainbow wings, causing it to leave a trail of sparkles in its wake. A Butterfree raced up to join it, and the pair danced through the clouds. They mirrored each other's movements perfectly, weaving through a flock of Swellow before plummeting downward to Petalburg City.

They raced through the streets, attracting much attention from the civilians. All of Petalburg was bursting with excitement, and large groups were moving towards the Petalburg Gym. The Butterfree and Beautifly reached the gym before the crowd, and raced up the side of the building before they reached the window at the top. They swooped in, startling its occupant.

The room showed signs of belonging to a teenaged girl, and that its current purpose was to hold on to the memories that the girls left behind when she left home. Various photos were plastered to the walls: images of friends laughing by the water, and Pokémon napping in the sun. Boxes were piled up against the wall; it seemed as though the last of the room's contents were being shipped out.

A young woman of about twenty sat at a vanity in the corner. Her brown hair was pulled back from her face, revealing a pair of bright blue eyes. The Beautifly floated over to the woman, and Butterfree attempted to follow it. However, it met an unforeseen obstacle. Before the two butterfly Pokémon had entered the room, a Skitty had been dozing on the bed. Distracted by the bright colors on Butterfree's wings, Skitty leapt off the bed and attempted to bat the wings with its paws. Butterfree flew up to avoid the needle-like claws, but the pink and white Pokémon refused to give up, and chased it around the room.

Beautifly landed on top of the woman's head, and she smiled up at it. "Hey, Beautifly. I was wondering where you were." She looked over at the commotion being caused by Skitty and Butterfree. "Skitty! You stop that right now, shame on you!" Skitty let out a trill of laughter before resuming its original position on the bed.

The woman got up and walked over to Butterfree, her Beautifly still balanced on top of her head. She noticed that Butterfree had a note and a rose clutched in its claw-like paw. She smiled. "He sent you, didn't he?"

The Butterfree dropped its items into her hands and soared out the window, with Beautifly right behind it. The woman sat down on the edge of the bed and unfolded the note. The inside contained a single line:

Are you ready?

She smiled, and glanced at the rose she held in her left hand, and the ring that glittered on her finger. May whispered, "I'll always be ready to marry you, Drew."

Behind the Petalburg Gym, it was a scene of chaos. People were rushing around, trying to figure out the last minute details for May and Drew's wedding. In charge of all the madness was Caroline, May's mother. She consulted her clipboard. "Okay, can someone help the guests find their seats? You two! Go make sure that the reception area is ready. Let's see… what else needs- NORMAN!"

Her husband halted his crossing of the yard. "Yes, dear?"

Caroline stared at Norman, who was still wearing his red tracksuit. "What… what are you… why aren't you dressed?"

He glanced down, as if he just realized what he was wearing. "Oh. I was just on my way to-."

"Your daughter is getting married in an hour and you aren't even ready?"

"I told you, I'm about to go and-."

"Is May even ready? And where's Drew? Oh no! I forgot to tell Max that he needs to release the Pokémon when May comes down the aisle! Okay, I'll go check on May. You, get changed then go find Drew and Max and make sure that they-."

"Whoa, slow down!" Norman grabbed Caroline by the shoulders, stopping her rush to the house. "Stop and breathe for a second. Misty and Dawn have been upstairs helping May since this morning. Max is giving Drew a tour of the place, and you told Max last night what he has to do during the ceremony."

"I did?"

Norman smiled. "Just calm down, okay? Everything's going to be fine."

"How can I be calm? Our baby girl is getting married!" Caroline burst into tears.

Norman pulled his wife in for a hug. "I know, but that doesn't mean she still isn't our baby girl."

Caroline sniffed. "We're getting old."

Her husband laughed. "Look, why don't you go and see May for a bit? Everything's fine down here, and I'm sure she'd love to see you."

She glanced around. "Well, I guess I could take a break."

"Did you give May the you-know-what?"

"Hmm? Oh, thanks for reminding me! I'll go get it right away. Now please, get dressed."

Caroline dashed off towards the house, with Norman following at a slower pace. Today was an important day, filled with excitement and stress. Hopefully, all the trials would not prevent them from enjoying such a happy occasion.

Caroline approached the door to May's old room, from which she could hear muffled laughter. She knocked, and silence fell. A singsong voice rang out, "Who is it?"

"It's Caroline. May I come in?"

Giggling, the voice replied, "Do you know the password?"

"Come on, Dawn. Stop messing around and let her in." A different voice scolded.

The door was flung open, revealing a grinning Dawn. Her navy hair was curled and pinned up at the top of her head, and she was wearing a pink dress that floated down to her knees. "Hi, Ms. Caroline!"

"Hello, Dawn." Caroline entered the room and was immediately captivated by the sight of her daughter. May was sitting at her vanity, wearing a white bathrobe. She allowed her hair to grow since her days as a journeying teenager, and it was now twisted into a simple bun with small curls framing her face. Her makeup was simple and made her blue eyes appear brighter than usual.

Caroline could feel tears beginning to form in her eyes. "Oh, May honey, you look so beautiful!"

May hugged her mother. "Stop it, or you'll make me cry too."

"Oh, no you don't!" Dawn cried, separating the pair. "Don't you dare ruin your makeup, May. I spent forever on it!"

Misty laughed. She had let her red hair down for the occasion, and it bounced on her shoulders. She was wearing a tight aquamarine dress with spaghetti straps that stopped mid-thigh. She pulled a white garment bag out of the closet. "Come on, May, let's see what you look like with your dress on."

The three women helped to ease May into her dress, and after fastening hooks and smoothing out creases, they stepped back to admire it. May had chosen a strapless gown with a heart-shaped bodice, and the skirt was full and made of a flowing, floaty material. It was simple, with no designs embroidered on it or excessive train, and it was perfect for May.

"You look gorgeous!" Dawn squealed, flinging her arms around her friend.

Misty smirked. "I can't wait to see Drew's face when you come down the aisle wearing that."

Dawn released May and turned back to the water Pokémon trainer. "Just think, Misty, it'll be your turn next!"

Misty rolled her eyes. "Please, it took Ash ten years to ask me out. Do you really think he's gonna ask me to marry him?"

"Well, anything's possible!"

Caroline laughed. "Alright girls, you better go and get some seats before the ceremony starts." The two said their good-byes and left. Caroline took May's face in her hands. "How are you feeling, sweetie?"

"I can't breathe."

Her mother laughed. "Don't worry, that's completely normal."

"Are you serious? Why do people do this to themselves?"

"Tell me something, May. Do you love Drew?"

"Of course!"

"Well, there's your answer." Caroline pulled out a slim black box. "Your father and I have something we want to give you."

"What is it?" May leaned forward and lifted the lid off the box. Inside was a pearl necklace. "Mom, they're beautiful!"

Caroline smiled. "Your father gave them to me when we were married. Now it's your turn." She fastened the pearls around May's neck. "Perfect. Now let's go, your father is waiting for us."

Caroline led May down the stairs where Norman was waiting, freshly showered and dressed. He smiled and extended his hand to May. "You look beautiful, princess."

May hugged him. "Thanks, Dad."

"Are you ready?"

"I… I think so."

"Alright then. Let's go."

Max was leaning up against an archway, through which May would enter to marry Drew. He watched as his family approached, and grinned. "Lookin' good, May."

"Shut up, Max."

"What? It was a compliment!"

"Come on, you two. Don't you dare start fighting now! Max, do you have what you need?"

Max pulled three Pokéballs out of his pocket. "I'm all set, Mom."

"Okay, I'm going to go get a seat." Caroline kissed May on the cheek. "Good luck, dear!"

She walked through the arch, leaving Norman, May, and Max by themselves. After a few moments of silence, Max asked his sister, "So, you nervous?"

"I'm gonna kill you."

"I'll take that as a yes."

"Max…" Norman warned.

"Now what did I do?"

"Why don't you release the Pokémon? They're probably getting ready to start."

"Sure, Dad." Max threw the Pokéballs up in the air. There were three flashes of white light, and Butterfree, Beautifly, and a Roserade appeared. Beautifly immediately went to May, and she hugged it.

"Hey, stop that!" Max tried to pry the two apart. "I don't need you messing up their concentration. Do you have any idea how hard it was to get this lot to do what I say? Roserade still won't listen to me!"

"Well, of course not. It's Drew's Pokémon, not yours." May leaned over to talk to the grass Pokémon. "Hey, Roserade? Can you do what Max says, just for today? It would mean a lot to me and Drew."

"Rose!" Roserade nodded and with a wave of its arms, it produced a bouquet of bright red roses and handed them to May.

"Roserade, they're lovely! Thank you!" May accepted the flowers. Suddenly, music began to play on the other side of the arch. "Oh no. Oh no no no no no."

"Roserade, use Petal Dance!" Max commanded. Immediately the air was full of pink petals slowly making their way to the ground.

"Are you okay, May?" Norman asked.

"Yeah, just… give me a second."

"Alright, Butterfree, Beautifly, fly through the petals!" The two bug Pokémon dove through an opening in the curtains that hid May from sight. "You're next, May."

"Okay. I can do this. I can do this." May took a deep breath, and allowed Norman to lead her through the archway.

Everyone stood when May entered, turning their beaming faces towards her. They were all friends May and Drew had met on their journeys. In the back stood their Pokémon, who were allowed out of their Pokéballs so that they could witness the unification of their trainers. May didn't pay notice any of that. All of her attention was on Drew.

He was standing at the altar, his eyes wide as he took in May's appearance. She felt her cheeks grow hot, and it took all her willpower not to leave her father and run towards him. The aisle seemed to stretch for miles, and May felt as if she had been walking for hours until she finally reached Drew.

Drew accepted May's hand from Norman, and held it tight. He leaned in close to her and murmured, "You look perfect."

She laughed softly, and gazed into those green eyes that never failed to dazzle her.

Looking back, neither May nor Drew could remember much of the ceremony. They were barely aware of the mayor of Petalburg dictating their vows to them, or the guests' laughter when Munchlax broke the chair it was sitting on. They were too busying staring into each other's faces, and remembering all they had been through. When they first met at the Slateport City Pokémon Contest. Surviving Mirage Island. Traveling through Johto together. Their first kiss. Avoiding Harley's prying eyes. When they first said that they loved each other. The night Drew asked May to marry him.

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Drew kissed his new wife, and the crowd rose to their feet and cheered. When they pair broke apart, neither one could stop smiling.

May and Drew were set upon by their guests, who bombarded them with hugs and congratulations. There were many familiar faces in the sea of well-wishers, but despite all the greetings from their friends, Drew never relinquished his hold on May's waist. They were one, from now until the end of eternity.

The reception was held inside the Petalburg Gym. Norman had complained over the idea of converting his precious gym into a dance hall, but after much pleading from May and several threats from Caroline, he relented. All the guests were dancing and enjoying themselves, except for two sitting in the corner. A pair of young men sat at a table, watching the activities on the dance floor. A Pikachu sat on the table, cheerfully squirting ketchup onto a slice of wedding cake.

The younger of the two turned to his companion. "So are you telling me that you asked every girl to dance, and they all rejected you?"

His friend groaned. "I swear, Ash, all these girls are crazy! I mean, I cook, I clean, and I'm great with kids. I'm perfect!"

"No, Brock. You're creepy."

Brock was about to protest, when he suddenly burst out laughing.

"What?" Ash followed Brock's gaze. After completely dousing its own slice of cake in ketchup, Pikachu decided that Ash's piece needed some of the red condiment. "Hey!" Ash snatched the bottle away from the yellow Pokémon.

"Pika!"

"No! Why would you put ketchup on my cake? I was gonna eat that!"

"Pika, pikachu." The electric mouse had tears in its eyes.

"Aw, come on, don't look at me like that."

"Pika pi."

Ash let out a long sigh. "Here." He tossed the ketchup back at Pikachu. It caught the bottle and proceeded to empty the contents into its open mouth. "Is this normal?"

Brock was trying to catch his breath. "Every Pokémon has its own preferences. My Crobat loves salad dressing, for some reason."

"Enough stalling." Ash leaned forward, and continued in a low voice. "What happened in Azalea Town?"

Brock rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, you know how my brother Forrest is traveling through Johto, right? He told me that when he passed through Azalea Town last week, someone told him that Team Rocket performed a raid and made off with all their Pokémon."

"Didn't anyone try to stop them?"

"They couldn't, it all happened so fast."

"This is insane. Why would Team Rocket start acting up again?"

Brock leaned in. "It's not just Team Rocket. All the teams are becoming more active. Did you hear that Team Magma and Team Rocket are reforming?"

"Even after the Groudon/Kyogre incident?"

"Yeah, I guess some people just don't give up."

"What are you guys talking about?" Misty and Dawn reached the table, both pink faced and grinning from dancing. Misty turned to Ash. "Well?"

Ash pulled his girlfriend into the seat next to him. "Team Rocket raided Azalea Town last week."

"Oh no!" Dawn sat down as well. "Was everyone okay?"

Ash shrugged. "I don't think anyone was hurt, but they lost all their Pokémon."

Brock turned to the blue-haired Coordinator. "Dawn, has Team Galactic been up to any trouble?"

She had to think for a moment. "I'm not sure. You know I don't pay attention to that stuff. Why?"

"Well, Johto's having trouble with Team Rocket, and Team Aqua and Team Magma are getting back together. I was just wondering if Sinnoh was having problems, too."

"Okay, that's enough." Misty interrupted Dawn's reply. "This is a wedding; we shouldn't be talking about this."

"But Misty," Ash protested, "Pokémon are disappearing and-."

"I said that's enough, Ash!"

Silence fell momentarily. Then a new voice rang out. "Well, it's been awhile, hasn't it?"

The group turned to see a young woman making her way towards them. Her pink hair fell loose around her shoulders, and she was wearing a peach dress that went to her knees.

"Solidad!" Brock leapt to his feet and seized her hand. "At long last, my quest for true happiness is over. I need only gaze into your gorgeous eyes, and I find peace."

"Hi to you too, Brock." Solidad managed to pull her hand loose. "Ash, Misty, Dawn, it's great to see you!"

"You, too!" Dawn hugged her fellow Coordinator. "I didn't think you'd be able to make it."

"Did you really think I'd miss this?" Solidad turned to face the dance floor, where Drew was dancing with May. "I've known Drew for a long time, and I've never seen him as happy as when he's with May. Those two were made for each other." She turned back to the table. "Anyway, what are you four doing just sitting around? This is a party, come and dance!"

"Yes!" Brock pulled Solidad close to him. "Dance with me, my dear, and we shall find the path to true love."

"Okay…" Solidad allowed Brock to drag her away, a confused expression on her face.

Laughing, Misty turned to Ash. "So are you gonna dance with me or what?

Ash glanced at Pikachu, who was trying to squeeze the last of the ketchup out of the bottle. "But who's gonna watch Pikachu?"

"Go and have fun, Ash. I'll stay with Pikachu. It's not like I have anyone to dance with." Dawn pouted. She and Paul were taking a break in their on again/off again relationship, so she had come to the wedding by herself.

"Thanks, Dawn! You're the best!" The couple moved off.

Dawn sighed and rested her head on the table. Her friends found happiness in dancing with the ones they cared about, forgetting about the evil that was occurring in distant lands.

The reception continued well into the night, and before long it was time for May and Drew's final dance. The floor cleared, and the guests stood back to watch the couple.

Drew smiled down at his wife. "Enjoying yourself?"

May shrugged, smiling. "I guess. But I can think of something that would make today perfect."

"And what would that be?"

"This." May stood on her tiptoes and kissed Drew.

When they broke apart, Drew smirked. "Someone's in a good mood."

May let out a blissful sigh and pulled Drew closer to her. "I'm just… so happy. This is the best day of my life."

"Mine too."

"It's too bad your dad was too sick to make it."

Drew's grip on May's waist tightened momentarily. "Yeah, well, stuff happens."

"Maybe we could go see him after we get back from Fortune Island!"

"Hmm, I'm more interested in enjoying our honeymoon than what we're gonna do when it's over."

"Oh really?" May smiled mischievously up at him. "And what exactly do you plan on enjoying?"

"I'll show you." Drew leaned in to kiss May. It started as a simple show of affection, and grew in passion and desire. Even after the music stopped playing and the crowd began to cheer, they did not break apart.

Someone tapped Drew on the shoulder. "Excuse me, but are you done eating my sister's face?"

May broke away long enough to mutter, "Go away, Max" before allowing her lips to be recaptured by Drew's.

"Fine, if you guys wanna spend your honeymoon in Mom and Dad's basement, please continue!"

Drew pulled back and scowled at Max. "You're an annoying little kid, you know that?"

Max flung an arm around his shoulders. "Hey, we're brothers now! I'm supposed to be annoying."

"I'm thrilled." The couple allowed themselves to be escorted outside, where they were met with a surprising sight. Unbeknownst to them, Caroline and Norman had taken it upon themselves to rent a carriage to take May and Drew to the harbor. It was straight out of a fairy tale, and pulled by a flaming Rapidash.

Caroline came to stand behind May, who was lost for words. "Do you like it?"

"Mom, you did this? Thank you so much!" May gave her mother a hug.

"Have a good time, sweetie. Call us when you get there."

"Okay, Mom."

"Don't worry about the Pokémon, you two. We'll keep an eye on them 'til you get back."

"Thanks, Dad."

"Now go, or you'll miss your ship!"

Drew was helping May into the carriage when suddenly…

"Blaziken!"

Everyone turned to see the large fire Pokémon charging towards May. Drew and May had placed their Pokémon in Norman's greenhouse for the reception, but somehow Blaziken managed to escape.

"Blaziken, what are you- oof!" Blaziken seized May in a bone-crushing hug. She could feel the heat radiating from its skin, and hoped that it wouldn't cause her dress to catch on fire.

"Blaziken, blaze blaze!"

May managed to free one of her arms and stroked her Pokémon's head comfortingly. "Aw, it's okay, Blaziken. We'll be back before you know it! Just keep an eye on the others for me, 'kay?"

"'Iken!" Blaziken released its trainer. It stared at Drew for several moments before backing up to join the crowd of well-wishers.

"Uh, May, I think your Pokémon just threatened me."

Laughing, May took Drew's offered hand and allowed him to hoist her up into the carriage. "Come on, we got a ship to catch!"

The Rapidash trotted away, and their friends waved and called out their goodbyes. May stretched in her seat. "Next stop, Fortune Island!"

Drew smiled, and pulled his wife close to him. "And the rest of our lives."

Just before they were married, May and Drew purchased a small home outside Vernanturff Town. It had a large yard, perfect for practicing combinations. In truth, the house was more of a symbol than a place to live, since they would be traveling often. However, after two months of vacationing on Fortune Island, the newlyweds were more than happy to get home and begin to settle in. May pulled a framed photograph from a box of Contest memorabilia. "Hey, Drew, remember this? It's when you won the Johto Grand Festival!"

"Of course I do. I was there, remember?"

"Sorry. It just seems like such a long time ago." May carefully placed the photo back in the box. "Wow, it's my old recipe for May's Purple Surprise! I thought I lost this years ago."

Drew appeared behind May and snatched the piece of paper away from her. "I'll take that."

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"In case you don't remember, May, every Pokémon that ate you Pokéblock was sick for days."

"That's not true! Munchlax liked it."

"Munchlax likes anything that's even close to edible."

"Ugh! You're the worst!"

"Am I?" Drew wrapped his arms around May's waist before she could protest, and began nuzzling her neck.

All thoughts of the recipe immediately left May's head. "We're supposed to be unpacking."

"So?"

"We need to get the house together."

"What better way to break in a new place?"

May felt her resistance crumbling, so she closed her eyes as Drew's kisses trailed down her neck, lingering on her collarbone…

One of the Pokéballs on Drew's belt burst open, releasing his Absol. The white Pokémon did not even glance at May and Drew, but raced out the front door.

The pair stared after it for a moment before May asked, "Since when did Absol start breaking out of its Pokéball?"

"I don't know. Hey, Absol! What are you doing?" They followed it outside, and found Absol sitting at the base of the hill, watching the sky.

"Absoool!" It howled.

"Return!" Drew summoned his Pokémon back to its Pokéball with a beam of red light. "What's gotten into you?"

"Drew, look!" May pointed at the sky, where a league of black helicopters suddenly appeared. She squinted at the red logo on their sides. "Isn't… isn't that Team Magma?"

Without warning, the helicopters began to drop missiles down on the peaceful countryside. Even though they were far away from the site of impact, May and Drew felt the ground shake.

"Get in the house, NOW!"

"But-."

"I said GO!" Drew pulled May with him as he raced toward the house as Team Magma rained missiles down on Vernanturff.

"Drew, what's going on?"

"I don't know, but we need to get to the basement, fast!"

"But, my Pokémon-."

"Hurry!" May tore through the boxes, desperately searching for the bag that held her Pokéballs. As she seized that strap, another blast sounded much closer, causing the windows to shake. "Come on!" Drew shoved May into the basement and slammed the door behind them. They could still hear the muffled explosions.

May sat down hard on the cold floor, unable to believe that this was really happening. Drew sat down behind her and held her close, so that she could feel his heart beating through his shirt. She held him just as tight, as their life and all of Hoenn fell to pieces.

Thoughts? This is my first Pokémon fanfiction, so I'm interested to hear how I did. Review and I'll give you Skitty. Crazy little thing won't leave my shoelaces alone.