March 6th, 2015
Petalburg Gym
2:34pm
May twiddled her thumbs aimlessly as she sat in her kitchen. She was waiting for Max to hurry back home from the Town Hall and he was late. Perhaps he went to Littleroot Town to stop by Professor Birch's lab, maybe that was it. She knew that he was grown up and much too old for her to worry and fret over him and his whereabouts, but old big sister habits die hard, even if he would be fifteen this fall.
All the same, she was intensely protective and proud of her obnoxious and perfect little brother, anyone would be. Over the past few years he'd been one of her few pillars of support she'd had and like her, he'd given everything up for their family. Today he'd be finalizing another service he'd done for her and her parents.
It hadn't been easy, her life that is, but she had her family, her friends, and her Pokemon. That didn't make it easier but it gave her a reason to smile every day and do what she had to.
"Meowwoo," purred Delcatty as it jumped up on May's lap,
"Thanks 'Catty, you can always tell when I need cheering up, huh?" May smiled as she began to stroke the cat Pokémon's fur, "Who's the cutest?"
"Meow!"
"Yes, you!" May cooed as she giggled slightly and continued to pat her Pokémon.
Just then May heard a knock at the front door,
"Max?" She wondered out loud.
"Nope," Her mother called as she answered the door, "But I'm sure you'll be pleased anyways."
May placed Delcatty on the ground and walked down the front hallway of her home and approached the doorway, very curious as to why her mother had said that.
There stood a man May knew very well, dressed in his usual extravagant clothing; his turquoise hair was partially covered by his white hat.
"Wallace!" May cried happily, "What are you doing here?"
The man lifted a hand in greeting, smiling with his natural charm.
"Just came to talk over a few things with you if your beautiful mother doesn't mind?"
Caroline laughed embarrassingly, waving him off,
"Please, I'm a married woman."
May rolled her eyes. Wallace was always such a flatterer and her mother took the compliments he gave her as if they were essential to her living and breathing. It was stupid but May was glad to see her mother smiling, even if it was because of the dramatic (and joking) sentiments of a man who was not May's father.
When they were alone Wallace asked,
"Is the gym closed?"
May blushed, she suspected this was because it was the afternoon and she was still in her pajama shorts, too big T-shirt and socks. She always felt underdressed in the Hoenn Champion's presence, but she had never spoken with him in her pajamas. This was a new kind of low.
"Yeah," She mumbled, "I'll go change."
"No need," Wallace spoke, "Everyone wears pajamas."
"At this time of day?" May asked skeptically.
"Some people wear pajamas then," He corrected himself as they entered the sitting room.
"Tea?" May asked as she picked up the kettle and poured a mug for herself.
"Thank you, no," Wallace declined, then changed the subject as May took her seat across from him, "I saw Maxwell at the Town Hall on my way here."
"Yup, he's finishing up the Gym Leader paperwork, he's going to start up in April and I'll be out of a job." May grinned jokingly.
"You won't be out of a job," Wallace assured her, "You forget that I offered you a job."
May frowned as she sipped her tea. He had, she'd agreed because the Region's Champion had asked her to but now she wasn't so sure about it. Her feet were so cold they probably had frost bite already. The past few years had slowly chipped away at May's confidence if she was being perfectly honest, and she was pretty sure she was the worst person for the job he'd offered her.
"Yeah, about that…" May began slowly, hesitating to speak and then bursting out, "Isn't there someone else who would do a waaay better job than me?"
Wallace leaned forward with his finger to his chin, and gave her a questioning look,
"Who?"
"Any of the other gym leaders! Why on earth would you want me to do this? I'm inexperienced compared to them!"
"Let's see… I can barely get Brawley to leave Dewford Island period, Liza and Tate are two people and therefor do not qualify, Flannery is not suited to that field of work due to her own inexperience, Roxanne wouldn't want to leave the school she teaches at, and Juan was a former teacher of mine so it would be odd for me to be in the position of power," Wallace reasoned, causing May to get slightly annoyed, the reasons he was giving made sense when she thought about it, but that didn't mean she qualified.
"What about Winona, you'd want to work with your girlfriend wouldn't you?" She argued.
"She'd flat out refuse if I asked, and due to the fact that she is a former girlfriend how well do you think that would work out?"
Damn. He got her there.
"Wattson?" Damn she was really reaching here.
"Too old, can't have him dying on me a few years in, is that insensitive to say? Besides it wouldn't be kind to ask. He's an old man who deserves a retirement even if he won't take it."
"Then what makes you think I can be an Elite Four member?"
That was what he wanted. He wanted her to become the Hoenn's newest Elite Four. Drake had passed away a few months back and apparently May was his best candidate. Not that impressive. When he asked May for the first time she thought he was desperate and crazy, in fact she'd laughed in his face thinking he was teasing her. She still looked back on that memory with extreme embarrassment.
"You have the talent; I've told you that before. Ever since I saw you in the Wallace Cup I've thought that you would suit both coordinating as well as League battling, and judging by the remarkable job you've done as a Gym Leader these past years, I'd say I was correct. Besides it would be interesting having someone with a coordinating background among us, you are still known for your flashy and beautiful battles after all," Wallace paused and hesitated before saying quietly, "It is amazing pay."
May sighed sadly, dejected,
"I know, and that's the only reason I'm doing this."
There was a time in her life when May wouldn't have accepted a job for money, but so many things had changed since then and it felt as though she had no choice. It wasn't for selfish reasons of course, but May still hated that she had taken a career path simply for cash.
There was silence among the two of them for a few minutes, May sipped her tea awkwardly and she could tell Wallace was unsure as to what he should say. She'd made him feel bad, and she felt guilty for it.
"So what brings you here anyways?" May asked, forcing a smile onto her face as she broke the silence.
"Actually something quite important," Wallace replied, "But I'll explain it to you when your brother arrives back home."
"Max? What would you need him for?" May asked, confused.
"I need both of you, if you'd be so kind of course."
As the Champion spoke May heard the door open,
"Guess who just became Petalburg's new Gym Leader?" A familiar voice called out excitedly.
"Ah! Perfect timing" May cried getting up quickly and rushing to the door, she greeted her brother with a warm hug.
"Congratulations," She grinned.
He'd grown so much, so much so he was an inch taller than her already, his forest green hair was no longer long and messy but neatly kept and buzzed underneath. He still wore his spectacles, but whenever May looked at him it reminded herself that he wasn't a little boy anymore, and he wouldn't need his big sister's affection.
"Heh heh," He chuckled, as he wrapped his arms around her, "Thanks."
"Did you get all of your Pokémon registered?"
"Yes, trust me, everything is in order," Max groaned, "I'm not that helpless."
May pulled away suddenly, remembering their guest,
"Oh Wallace is here to see you," She said in a voice probably too calm and quick to warn her brother that the Hoenn Champion specifically wished to see him.
"What?!"
March 7th, 2015
Lumiose City Gym
7:43pm
"Clemont," Bonnie whined, "Why can't you stay for the entire event?"
Serena laughed as she pulled up her short hair into a ponytail, it was always fun watching Bonnie go about her business, and today her business was hounding Clemont about Ash's Celebratory Event for his win at the Indigo Plateau. Apparently Clemont, who was invited to handle much of the lighting, sound, and anything to do with electricity, would have to leave early.
"Because…" Clemont replied half-heartedly, "Because of things…"
"Maybe you don't have a girlfriend because of your ridiculous excuses; I swear a Feebas wouldn't believe your lies."
"Lay off of him Bonnie;" Serena said gently, "I'm sure he can't help it, right Clemont?"
The boy scratched his short hair; he was apparently still uncomfortable with the new length. Bonnie had insisted he cut it and Serena had done the deed. Serena thought it was cute but Clemont didn't seem used to it yet,
"Thank you Serena," He sighed, "Listen to your best friend Bonnie, please!"
"Fine, but that doesn't change your relationship status," Bonnie said with her tongue stuck out.
The older brother rolled his eyes.
The three of them were in one of the many large rooms in the Lumiose City Gym. When Serena moved to the city three years ago to focus on her Pokémon Performances. Bonnie had offered her to use one of their many rooms for her practicing. Clemont renovated it to make it perfect for performance practice, complete with mirrored walls and a ballet bar for dancing, it had been a secret pleasure of hers and Clemont had picked up on the fact that she loved ballet so he put up the bar. She had thanked him over and over, and he'd been happy she liked it.
After she became the Kalos Queen in 2013, she'd gotten an agent and started up a career as a Pokémon Performer separate from the competitions. So now her and her Pokémon danced, sang, and performed for huge crowds. It was the strangest thing ever, she had… fans, people her were passionate about her performances and Pokémon. She'd made so many friends and had so many opportunities since then. It led to sponsorships, red carpet events, modeling, and so many strange and wondrous things. She loved it and her Pokémon did too. Serena was always careful to make sure that is was never just about her, it was her Pokémon that brought her this far.
"I'm so excited to see Ash," Bonnie grinned, "Do you think he'll be too busy for us? I mean the party is for him after all."
Serena shook her head; she had a lot of faith in Ash,
"Ash makes time for his friends, you know that right?"
"I guess… but still I better see him."
"Don't worry," Clemont reassured her as he adjusted his glasses, "Serena's right, we called him the other night, remember? He said that he'd see us, besides he'll be watching Serena's show as well."
"Good, because I would never forgive him if he didn't," Bonnie said with her arms crossed.
"Bonnie," Serena chastised, "You don't mean that."
"I might," She giggled, "So what are you planning for your performance?"
"I think might use Vivllion and Florges. Florges' Petal Dance and Vivillion's Psybeam are absolutely beautiful lately. Or maybe Meowstic and Clebable, they give a really fun performance that really excites a crowd." Serena decided as she daydreamt of her Pokémon's moves, "Delphox wanted to perform but I think it needs some rest, I think it's overworked."
Clemont laughed,
"That Pokémon is just like you, works too hard and doesn't know when to stop."
"I'll say," Bonnie agreed, "I think you're right though, 'Phox needs a well-deserved break, no matter how great you treat her. I think you should use Meowstic and Clefable, they always have the fun performances, Florges and Vivillions' would be too classy and elegant for a celebratory party."
"Yeah," Serena nodded, "You're right, I can always count on you for good advice."
"Whatever," She shrugged as if she already knew this information, "Anyways I better go, you two can keep chatting, I have somewhere to be."
Serena noticed Bonnie give her brother a pointed look, and Clemont appeared uncomfortable, though Serena wasn't one hundred percent why. It had been something that occurred often as of late but she never thought much of it. Maybe she should.
"I'll see you later Bonnie!" Serena called out as the girl began to leave.
Serena began stretching at the bar while Clemont propped up his bag against the wall and pulled out a book on engineering and began reading.
"How do you think she's doing?" Serena asked as she lifted her leg over the bar and stretched her arms out to grab her ankle.
"It's hard to tell with my sister," Clemont answered, not looking up from the pages, "She's been the same old same old since she got back from Sinnoh, but she hasn't been doing anything for the past few months. The fact that she's been lying low for so long is very odd for her."
Serena nodded in agreement,
"Yeah, she's normally itching to go off traveling and catch new Pokémon. She's had a hard time finding out what she wants, but I'm sure she'll get there. Maybe this down time is good for her."
Clemont shrugged, not convinced, Serena could tell he was worried for his sister.
"Don't worry Clemont; I took a long time to find out what I really wanted. Everything works out the way it should, so I trust her. She's my best friend, and she's got a lot of talent."
"Thanks…" Clemont mumbled, "You've been a really good friend to her… and me."
Serena looked at him softly; he wasn't meeting her eyes, even after all this time he still was shy around her. Bonnie had told her once that Clemont didn't think he deserved to have her as a friend. It was absurd and she thought it was sad he thought that.
"Hey," She said, succeeding in getting him to look back at her, "You know you guys mean the world to me, I only wish I could treat you two better."
Clemont appeared speechless so Serena continued,
"Together through thick and thin, right? That's what Ash says. We'll always be the best of friends and I won't let anything change that so get that through your genius head," Serena laughed, "We're all going to be fine, including Bonnie."
"… Yeah."
March 8th, 2015
Pallet Town
9:12pm
Ash sighed happily as he sat in the living room of his house, Pikachu was sleeping next to him and his mum was on the couch across. They had been watching a film, but they hadn't paid much attention and it eventually ended, leaving the screen black. They were just sitting peacefully. He hadn't had much of that ever since he won, at least until he came here.
He'd had interview after interview and he'd been doing a million different types of things he never thought he would. Everyone looked at him different, it wasn't a bad thing necessarily, it was just nice to come back home to Pallet where everyone knew him as 'Ash, he's the goofy kid with a crazy dream, by the way Delia have you ever considered cutting back on that boy's sugar?'. That's who he was in his core, and they knew that.
He'd spent the day at Professor Oak's, hanging around with the Professor, Tracey, and Gary. It felt nice to be among old friends again, it brought a lot of nostalgia back and Ash was glad that after all these years they were still friends. He'd also received a call from Brock, he wasn't in Pewter City at the moment so he couldn't visit, but they had a long conversation and Ash forgot how much he missed having his friend around.
The day after tomorrow he'd be at a huge event, specifically held for him, and he'd be walking a red carpet, and having interviews. He'd also get to see a ton of his old traveling companions, which was a plus, and really the only reason he was excited at all. Luckily once April came around his space would generally be respected. It was an unspoken rule that during the season to bother a famous or popular trainer was interfering with their training, and apparently distracting trainers from their job was unacceptable. He'd have his match with the Elite Four this month and Lance (if he got that far) and then he'd be treated normally again, unless he succeeded and became Champion which kinda was his aim.
For now however, it was just him and his mum. Just the way it always used to be.
"Hey Mum?" He said, breaking their comfortable silence.
"Yes Sweetie?"
"You sure you can't come to that thingy?" He asked, referring to the party.
"I'm afraid not Love, I don't do well in such situations and I'm needed back here according to Professor Oak, besides you'll be catching up with everyone, too busy for your old mum." Delia replied with a smile, "By the way sweetheart, while you're there reconnecting with your friends make sure to remember I really want grandchildren."
"Mum!" Ash laughed, causing Pikachu to stir before falling back asleep, "You're thirty six years old, you really don't need any grandchildren yet."
"I'm just saying all the girls you've traveled with have been very nice. A daughter in law, what a thought." She daydreamed, putting her hand to her heart, "Please tell me one of them has caught your eye."
"Me? Married? You sure there isn't anything else in your tea there? Did Mimey spike it or something?"
"I'm only teasing, but one day I expect—"
"Let's change the subject," He interrupted, Ash had no idea but this conversation was making him uncomfortable. Eighteen years he'd lived and he'd yet to see the appeal of… well… that stuff.
"Is Meyer visiting any time soon?" Ash asked with a raised eyebrow turning the tables on his mother this time.
Delia Ketchum had met Meyer Delfosse, Clemont and Bonnie's dad, four or five years back. Apparently they hit it off because after a few months of talking and one chance meeting they were dating. Ash wasn't exactly one to understand that sort of thing but he really liked Meyer and any reason to see Clemont and Bonnie was reason enough for him to approve of his mother's boyfriend.
The distance had apparently been difficult, Ash knew all about that what with his friend group being scattered all across the country, but somehow the two of them had made it… work? He was glad to see his mum so happy with someone else, he wasn't quite sure how but her face changed. It was brighter… more alive and pretty. He'd asked Serena once why that was and she had only responded with something about women in love. Whatever that meant.
"I was just in Kalos Ash; think whatever you like but your old mum can survive longer than a few with with just video calls."
"I dunno, you guys are so weird," Ash pointed out, "Besides you're all after me about grandbabies and you're in your mid-thirties dating someone. I should be the one requesting a little brother or sister."
It was his mum's turn to turn red,
"Ash Reginald Ketchum, you should watch your mouth around your mother."
"Truce then?"
Delia chuckled to herself, nodding, and they settled back into a silence, one that didn't last very long due to the fact Ash was in the talking mood.
"Can you believe this happened?" He marveled, referring to the results of the Conference, "I mean I always talked big when I was a kid but what were the chances really? Pretty slim."
"Look at you being all serious," Delia teased, "And yes, I can believe this happened. No one your age has the kind of experience you have, young or not."
"That's true," Ash agreed, "Life's been pretty damn crazy, huh?"
"Language," She warned, wagging her index finger at him disapprovingly, "What? Just because you won the Indigo Plateau doesn't mean you can say whatever you want in my house."
"Ha…" Ash snickered lightly, "Sorry about that."
"But you are correct; life has been pretty darn crazy." His mother sighed as she spoke; seeming as though she was looking back into a past Ash didn't know of, she did that a lot, "You've loved it though, right? You had a happy childhood; I did everything you could have wanted?"
"Well you never gave me a second cookie after dinner, but other than that, I'm lucky to be your son," Ash joked, "Why so serious?"
Delia looked at her lap and shrugged with uncertainty,
"I don't know. I just wish I could have done better by you because you've done so much for me. I wish you could have had different circumstances."
Ah, now Ash understood. She was referring to his lack of father. Ash didn't give it as much thought as he used to. When he was younger he would wonder why all the other kids had a dad and he didn't, and during the first couple years of traveling he wondered if his father had traveled there and wondered what he'd accomplished. Eventually Ash accepted that his dad wasn't on his own Pokémon journey, but was long gone, never to be seen again. He accepted that. Ash wasn't mature by any means, but he could understand that and had since his travels in Sinnoh.
It was around that time when the thoughts of what effects the lack of father had on his life took a hold of him. He worried that he'd missed something not growing up with a dad. Eventually Ash realized something important, so many of his friends didn't have dads. Brock's was unreliable, Misty's parents were dead, Dawn and Serena didn't have a father just like him, Iris had never mentioned parents, and Cilan's were always absent. Those friends turned out to be some of the best people he'd met. That was them, not their lack of parental guidance. Ash was who he was because he had his mum and Professor Oak, and he finally came to terms with it. They were more than enough. Better than what he could ever ask for. And now Meyer was a large part of the family and though Ash didn't see him as a father, he was the best uncle-like guy he could ask for.
"I love this town, I love our friends, I love our family," Ash assured her, "That's all that matters, and if that's all I ever have then that's all I need to know."
Delia looked at him with misty eyes, which she quickly wiped with the back of her hand.
"You really are the best thing that ever happened to me," She said shakily, "And as an answer to your question, I never doubted you'd get this far, from the moment I first saw you as a little tiny baby, I knew you'd be the best thing anyone could offer the world."
Ash wasn't a really serious person but his mum's words touched him. Getting up carefully as not to wake Pikachu he went to join his mother on her couch.
"Sorry for leaving you alone all those years…" He mumbled as he wrapped her up in his arms. He remembered a time when he was small and short in her grip, when her hugs completely smothered him. Now it was almost the other way around, his mother was a small woman and Ash was not exactly a small person anymore. It was almost sad, it hit him that ever since he'd left home at ten he'd never really been her baby anymore. He grew and grew without her and he'd never go back to the early years when he was young and Mum was the most powerful person in the world.
"Don't apologize," She replied, "You did what was right for you, and I was never alone. Like you said, we have friends and family here. They're everywhere, if you know where to look."
March 9th, 2015
A Viridian City Pub
1:48am
Gary Oak was not normally one to spend his nights in a pub, normally his all-nighters involved a lot more books and research (as lame as it sounded). It was a pain in the ass but he sure as hell wasn't passing up the chance to do what he was about to. He'd been waiting years for a moment akin to this and he was going to do it with wit and sarcasm, the best parts of his personality.
For a place people went to get wasted, it wasn't so bad in this particular bar. The drunks were quiet and sad, cradling bottles of whatever they were drinking as if they were infants. There wasn't any ruckus, just a soft murmur of conversation and the sound of the bar tender preparing drinks. A smooth voice sang and played woes on the tiny stage where the bar singer stood, setting a low key feel. It wasn't however enough to distract him from the dingy, smelly, and generally repulsive atmosphere most bars had.
Giving in, he hung up his coat on the hanger at the door and walked in.
The room was dim and hazy due to the lack of good lighting and the group of men smoking in the back corner. Still Gary was very sure of his target, the woman, or girl; he didn't really know what to refer to her as anymore. The one sitting at the bar stool looking like she'd pop a vein if she thought any harder. She wore a black trench coat that fell just above her knees, a dark brimmed hat, and shoes that made her appear much taller than she actually was. Another fake thing about her.
He almost didn't recognize her, but with the combination of her ashy brown hair and the angst (or was it a false sense of superiority?) she was radiating; Gary knew exactly who it was.
He approached the bar and took a seat a few stools from her; she paid him no mind, obviously off in her little world. Typical, in all the years she'd known him she was only concerned about herself and… well one other person, and that person sure as hell was not Gary Oak.
"Whiskey, on the rocks," He said to the bar tender while holding up his ID, he was barely old enough to legally drink after all. The man nodded before going to fix his drink and to Gary's luck, it didn't take very long. He thanked the bar tender and took a sip. Gary didn't normally indulge in alcohol, mostly because he worked as a Scientist and getting drunk was hardly a good idea in that profession, but whenever he did drink he always leaned towards the harder stuff. He didn't know why, and he never drank enough to get anything passed buzzed, but it had just become something he did. Maybe it was because his grandfather always kept that sort of thing in the house for special occasions. He used to sneak it when he was thirteen or fourteen, until Tracey tattled.
Gary turned to his target and observed her with a critical eye; despite her older appearance her arrogance was very apparent in her countenance. Not that he himself didn't have a cocky side, he'd admit to that, but this girl took it to a whole other level. Perhaps he was biased… OK, he was biased but that didn't change her personality, just the strength of Gary's disdain for her.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Leaf Green Talbot," He smirked, causing her to jerk her head towards him, when she saw who he was her lips curled with distaste. An expected reaction, predicable even.
"Gary Orlando Oak," She said through gritted teeth, also addressing him by his full name, "It's been a long time."
"Not long enough." And he meant it, he may have wanted to do this since he was given the chance but he knew now looking at her that no matter when they saw each other it would be too soon for him.
"What on earth are doing here and why the hell would you talk to me?" There it was, her hostility.
"Dunno," He said cryptically as he took another sip of his drink, "Why are you talking to me?"
"Because you approached me," She deadpanned.
"Didn't stop you before, now did it?" He taunted, knowing that would hit a nerve, "What are you doing here anyways? You came this far but didn't have the lady balls to come back to Pallet? I'm not surprised; Ash is back home by the way. Did that stop you from visiting, or is it the general town that makes your face look constipated?"
Leaf turned her body to face him, eyes narrowed and lips tight,
"If you don't mind, please stop talking to me."
"Naw," Gary said with a shake of his head, resting his chin in his hand as he eyed her, "So what've you been up to these past seven years, huh?"
"Not your concern," She replied shortly.
"At least let me guess," Gary said in a tone he knew would piss her off, he then whispered a word in her ear causing her to jerk back and push him away from her.
"Did he send you?" She demanded angrily, eyes flashing from underneath the brim of her hat.
"Guilty as charged," Gary said flippantly, "I'm sure you yourself are aware of the situation at hand, he thinks it's time for you to stop playing Lone Ranger, or whatever dark horse-like role you've been trying at, and come back. I think the idiot's crazy to want you of all people, but hey, we can't all be as smart as me."
"You can tell him to shove it up his and while you're at it, shove it up yours." She snapped.
"We may share the same dislike of said person, trust me it kills me to know that we agree something, but that doesn't mean you should act like a complete fool."
"I'm not a fool Gary I'm—"
"Blind to the faults of others? A vindictive control freak? If that's what you were going to say, then yes, I agree."
"I was going to say I'm not… doing that sort of stuff anymore. I quit. I'm guessing he told you about that as well."
Leaf just had to make this so difficult didn't she? Everything had to be a battle or an argument or whatever allowed her to berate others.
"He also told me you weren't fully resigned, simply 'on leave' or a 'rouge' or whatever excuse he put in place for you."
"Either way," She sniffed haughtily, "I'm not coming back, not when I'm this close, and certainly not at the call of his errand boy."
"Oh I'm not an errand boy," Gary laughed darkly, "I volunteered. How could I pass up the chance to rip into you after ten years?"
"You haven't changed a bit."
"The same could be said about you," Gary smiled sweetly, "And if you think you're close, yes I know what you're doing it's so painfully obvious, then you're more delusional than I thought. And I didn't think much of you to begin with sweetheart."
Leaf stared at him blankly,
"You can tell your little friend I refused his offer. I have my own plans."
He'd expected that, wanted it even.
"Whatever you say," Gary shrugged as his gulped down the rest of his drink, and then wrote his number on a stray napkin. He slid it across the table when he had finished.
"Why are you giving me this?" She asked.
"Because I have my own agenda too, and if yours ever coincides with mine, you can give me a call."
She took the napkin from the counter and looked at is as if it might blow up if she touched it. Eventually she placed it in her coat pocket.
"Now aren't you going to give me yours?" He inquired.
"Not a chance."
"You're right, I'd never come to you anyways," Gary nodded in agreement, "Soon enough you'll come crawling back begging for my help, you always did you know."
"I forgot how much of bastard you are."
"Too bad, such an oversight on your part. I never forgot how much of a bitch you were— and are. Smell ya later."
With that Gary got up from the table, unsure as to what he felt.
So here's the second chapter. I won't usually update this quickly. This is kind of an exception.
May's reasoning for a lot of things will eventually come clear, why she's a gym leader, why she's lost her confidence. Just not yet. She's definitely not the way we know, there's hints of her, but she's very much changed. She's eighteen by the way, and as stated Max is fifteen. I'll make sure to let you know ages if they aren't mentioned.
Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie are still beautiful friends and it's awesome. Bonnie is thirteen, Serena is fifteen, Clemont is sixteen.
Gary definitely does not have a good relationship with Leaf, I really like writing those two. They're both eighteen as well.
More characters will show up in the next chapter.
To everyone who reviewed, favourited and followed this story, thanks so much!
If anyone has questions hit me up on tumblr (link on my profile) or PM me.
