Author: Welcome to the story! For those of you who are new here, I am the author! For those of you who have migrated over due to one of the (several) rebrands and rewrites, welcome back! Alas, my perfectionism and the wisdom I've gained since originally starting this story have made it so there's always something I must tweak. I hope everyone enjoys this story, which will be full of Armourshipping, RedxMay (someone please make up a good name for this), and many other, yet to be determined ships.

May: So now you're trying to make an official shipping name for us?

Me: You got a problem with that?

Red: *snickers* Not at all, we just want to know why it took so many years. Then again with the rate this story progresses at, I guess we shouldn't be surprised.

Author: Ah- Well- Um... Shut up! On another note, here's a rough estimate of ages for this story. Some will have more active roles in this story than others.

Ash/Serena/May - 21

Red/Misty/Iris/Clemont – 22

Brock – 27

Max/Lillie – 18

Dawn/Sophocles – 20

Cilan – 23

Bonnie – 15

Tracy – 25

Mallow – 19

Alright, now to explain the ages as I'm sure some of them may look confusing. The general rule of thumb here is most regions took about 1 year to complete, with later regions taking closer to 1.5. The story begins at the conclusion of Alola. Obviously, introducing an OC so early into the timeline is bound to cause ripple effects. Luckily for me, this means you can blame the aging of the characters, plus any changes compared to the anime's plot on the timeline change.

Overall, consider that each generation of characters starts their journeys at later ages due to evolving legislature. For those of you in the USA, think of it like how the legal age of acquiring and using tobacco increased from 18 to 21. Additionally, May and Serena both started their journeys later than the minimum age to become a trainer. For May, she finally began her journey after a few years of pressure from her family. In Serena's case, it had to do more with seeing Ash on the news than anything else.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, trust me, I'd know if I did.

Yawwwn... Huh? What time is it? Oh God! I was supposed to be here hours ago! I'm so sorry! My name is... Wait a minute, we are incredibly behind schedule. You don't need to know my name. Anyways, this world is inhabited by creatures known as Pokémon. We humans live alongside Pokémon and use them in our everyday lives. Some are treated as companions, some friends, others as tools. Some are treated well, others poorly. Blah Blah Blah. By now you've probably played enough games or watched enough shows to know most of this speech. These are the stories of the great heroes, who came to the world's aid when it needed them the most. So, if you dare, enter the wonderful world of Pokémon!

A small plane flew over the blue ocean, the propellers on its wings easily cutting through some of the very few clouds in the sky. The sun shone brightly over the region, combining with lukewarm temperatures to give the residents a wonderful day to be outside. Inside, a young man sat with his partner, eager to make landfall and return home. As he noticed a volcano and some small islands in the distance out his window, a voice came over the intercom system.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are about to begin our final descent into Pallet Town, and we should be landing in a few minutes. At this time, the fasten seatbelt sign has been turned on. As a final reminder, please make sure your trays are stowed and your chairs are in their upright position. At this time, all portable electronics should be turned off."

"Alright Pikachu!" The black-haired man exclaimed to his partner as best as he could over the engines. "Just a few more minutes and we're home!"

"Pika pika!" The yellow mouse replied, equally excited.

Over the next several minutes, the gap between the ocean and the plane practically disappeared, before eventually the floats sank gracefully into the water. The engines reduced power, waiting for the plane to coast into its designated location along a dock. As the blades became still, several workers began securing the plane and extending stairs, so the passengers could begin to disembark.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived in Pallet Town. Its currently 5:10 PM local time and the weather is perfect today. As you open the overhead compartments, please be mindful that your carry-on items may have shifted during the flight. We want to thank you for flying Kanto Airlines and hope to see you again soon."

Tapping his foot impatiently, Ash waited for the seats in front of him to clear out before quickly taking off down the aisle and off the plane, Pikachu barely hanging onto his shoulder.

"Next stop, home for lunch!" He exclaimed as his stomach growled.

Two young women hustled through Pewter City, attempting to flee a rather large crowd that had gathered around them for photos and autographs. One was a brown-haired girl, sporting a blue bandana, a blue and white shirt, black shorts, and a green fanny pack, and matching shoes. Her partner in crime was just behind her, her orange hair bobbing as she pushed through two teenage boys trying to pose a take a selfie. Her normal one-piece bathing suit, athletic jacket, and flip flops had been changed in favor of clothing more friendly for travel, namely a yellow t-shirt, cream shorts, and white shoes.

The brunette sighed. Everywhere she looked, boys were staring at her and her friend. If it wasn't creepy enough that so many members of the opposite gender were staring at them, it made it creepier once she realized where the staring was directed. She looked at her friend, who seemed to be having fun and enjoying some of the attention, despite acting so annoyed. Said satisfaction was likely due to the trail of males behind them currently unconscious with welts on their heads, caused by a large, wooden mallet that often seemed to defy physics.

Her boredom and frustration were temporarily interrupted, realizing how close they were to reaching their destination. Recognizing a sign on the Southern outskirts of town, her face lit up. Tapping her friend on the shoulder, she began to explain an idea she had been formulating on how to lose the crowd.

Just past Professor Oak's lab, a honey-haired girl was walking a fire-fox beside her. Though she had grown quite a bit over the years, her outfit remained unchanged. Her mostly red and pink outfit contrasted her blue eyes perfectly and her hair had grown back out to shoulder length. After all, as she explained to her mother recently, why fix what isn't broken? Unfortunately for her, her sense of direction wasn't in quite as good a state.

"Ok we just saw the Pokémon Laboratory, which means we aren't far. I think." She told her companion before lifting her arm to glance at a black and pink watch on her wrist. "Just a little bit longer and we'll even have the local maps downloaded." She sweat dropped and added "I guess I really should've had the maps loaded before we left."

"Braixen." Her partner replied, shaking its head.

"Come on! We can lose them! We don't have to go very far in, just far enough in to slip out way ahead of them," the brunette urged her friend as they hid around a corner.

"But you know I hate bugs!" the orange-haired girl replied, looking around cautiously for her worst fear. "Besides, how do we know they won't just go guard the forest bypass and wait for us to try to use it?"

"Hey look! There they are!" a reporter cried to a nearby wave of media and fans, who all turned and began descending on the two.

"Ok fine! But just to lose them! And we better not see any bugs!" She exclaimed, dragging her brunette friend into the woods of Viridian Forest and away from the crowd.

"Don't lose them! This will be a wonderful scoop!" A reporter called out, several others muttering and nodding in agreement.

Another yelled at the girls, "Misty, May, what is your reason for choosing to travel with each other?

A third chimed in. "What's your final destination and reason for traveling?"

"Is it Viridian or Pallet? Are you trying to meet anyone there?" A fourth inquired.

"Just leave us alone!" May screamed, her voice cutting through the air like a knife, momentarily silencing the reporters, who began chattering away again after a brief pause.

Serena looked at her watch again, hoping to see a completed download, but only finding disappointment. Sighing again, she deadpanned. "We are so lost right now."

Suddenly, she found her face in the dirt and heard her angry Braixen berating someone for knocking into them. As she rolled on her side and opened her eyes, she saw an old but familiar face staring down at her.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I didn't even see you there. Pikachu and I are trying to run home, and you were just around this corner, and we had no idea you were here and Serena!? Is that you?" Ash asked, finally seeing who he had the misfortune of nearly trampling.

"Ash!? What are the odds? I was headed to your house to surprise you! Though I was supposed to be there a few hours ago. I kind of got lost," Serena sheepishly admitted.

"Well follow us then! It's not much further! We'll race you there!" Ash exclaimed, leaving a trail of dust as he took off again.

"Ash Ketchum you be a gentleman and wait up for me!" Serena exclaimed, quickly running to try to keep up with him.

"I beat you, Serena! I win!" Ash grinned outside his house as the blonde panted at the gate. The house was a plain two-story building, with a mostly white exterior and a red roof. Surrounding the front was a white picket fence with a large brown fence enclosing the back. The front lawn consisted of a sole pathway leading from the gate to the door, with rows upon rows of flowers on both sides. Ash held a small stack of mail in his hand, plucked from the mailbox that sat on its post at the start of the path, designed to look like a miniature replica of the house.

"I- let- you- win. Would've- gotten- lost- if- I- hadn't," she forced out in between breaths, her face crimson and lungs burning.

"Whatever. I still win," he replied opening the unlocked door, and letting himself in.

"Oh, my little Ashy is home!" A voice cried embracing Ash before he could even take two steps into the house.

"Mom- Can't- Breathe!" Ash panted, turning blue. Smothering him was an older woman with a brown ponytail, a pink jacket, yellow shirt, and a jean dress. This woman of course being his mother, Delia Ketchum.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! It's just that I never get to see you anymore," his mom replied. "You really should visit more often.

"And who is this?" She asked noticing Serena, "is she your girlfriend? Why didn't you tell me you got a girlfriend?"

"Mom! This is Serena! She attended one of Professor Oak's summer camps with me and we traveled together in Kalos, and she is not my girlfriend! We ran into each other near the lab and that's all!" He explained, both his and Serena's faces tomato red.

'Ash and I, boyfriend and girlfriend?' Serena thought, oblivious to the nearby chatter. 'Well, he has gotten quite attractive since I've seen him last, plus I never did ask him what he thought about my parting kiss, and- Wait, what am I thinking!?' She blinked and shook her head, coming out of her trance for a moment before becoming lost again. 'Ash and I are only friends, nothing more! What is wrong with me!?'

"Oh! Well! Come on in then!" She greeted opening the front door. "It's a shame though. You two look like you would make a cute couple. Plus, I'd have someone who could make sure you're changing your underwear."

"Mom!" He screamed, once again embarrassed for reasons he could not fathom.

"Oops, sorry honey," the mother replied smiling innocently like a mischievous toddler.

"Serena? Earth to Serena? Anybody in there Serena?" Ash asked noticing his friend, who appeared to be mentally elsewhere. Inciting no response, her waved his hand in front of her faced and snapped his fingers.

"Huh?" She replied, snapping out of her daze. "Oh sorry! I was just thinking about something."

"Well, it looks like I might end up being right after all, with a little bit of time."

"Mom!" Ash screamed, both he and Serena resuming their flushed red looks.

"Hey look! It's Viridian City! Come on May! Let's get to the Pokémon Center!" The orange haired teen cried excitedly as a small skyline came into view.

"Wait up Misty! I know you want to get away from bugs as fast as possible, but this is just ridiculous!" The girl known as May yelled back before turning in the direction of their destination, clenching her fist over her heart, and sighing.

"Please let him be there this time."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person Mrs. Ketchum. Ash has told me all about you!" Serena stated, attempting to break the ice with a few compliments.

"It is nice to meet you too Serena, but please, call me Delia," the older woman replied, her face beaming with a smile.

"If you will excuse me, Mimey and I need to make some dinner," she said, a clown-looking psychic following her eagerly.

"Hey Serena, how about some TV?" Ash asked, his stomach growling at the thought of having to wait for dinner.

"Ok Ash!" She giggled, hearing his angry stomach. Ash quickly grabbed the remote, turning the TV on at the exact moments that a breaking news article began.

"Breaking news. We go live to our reporter near Pewter City, with the latest celebrity sighting," a pink-haired newscaster explained before the video cut to a reporter.

"Thanks, Malva. I'm here just South of Pewter City, where we've spotted not one, but two celebrities on the move. It seems that the Cerulean City Gym Leader Misty Waterflower and the coordinator May Maple, known to many as the 'Princess of Hoenn', were both spotted heading towards the Viridian Forest together." A video of the two pushing through the crowd was displayed next to the reporter. Thankfully, it was not long enough to capture anyone receiving Misty's wrath.

"It is believed that they are headed to either Viridian City or Pallet Town, for reasons currently unknown. They appear to be trying to hide their presence from someone and now we do not know their precise location. We'll keep you updated as we find out more," A female reporter, with short green hair, in a blue blouse explained.

"Well, maybe they're hiding their presence from crazy stalking reporters like you," Serena stated, clearly not amused with the paparazzi's tactic and idiocy.

"So, Ash," Serena asked, puzzled and finding one of 'celebrities' onscreen vaguely familiar. "Didn't you say you used to travel with a May? "

"Yeah Serena," Ash answered, clearly surprised by the news report. "I did. May travelled with me in Hoenn and through the Battle Frontier. Before we parted ways, we participated in the Terracotta Contest where we tied. We ended up splitting the ribbon in half so each of us could carry a piece. And I guess we won't be the only ones here. Hopefully mom cooks enough food for everyone."

"Who was that with her?" Serena asked, not recognizing the other woman.

"That was Misty. She is the Cerulean City Gym Leader. She travelled with Brock and I at the beginning of my journey. She went through Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto with me. My special fishing lure and the handkerchief I keep it in were parting gifts from her," Ash answered, feeling he had told her about Misty already. "Didn't I tell you about her?"

Serena was shocked. Ash had never mentioned this Misty before, and he had special gifts from her. Was Misty coming here to steal Ash from her? There it was again. Her Ash. Why was she so possessive of her Ash? Unless... 'No!' She thought, eyes wide. 'I can't! It's been so long since and I've seen him, and I thought I was over all this!'

"Serena, are you okay?" Ash asked, watching his friend space out suddenly. She seemed panicked, at least to him.

"You haven't told me about Misty at all!" Serena seethed, trying to act angry at him and not the orange haired girl, while also hoping to change the subject.

"Oh, oops. I guess I didn't." He rubbed the back of his head obliviously. Typical dense old Ash.

It was just then that Serena noticed something. Her curious eyes had made their way over to a picture, which contained a seemingly familiar figure in it standing next to Ash and Delia, smiling with them. He was about the same age and height as Ash, but with shorter, and therefore better tamed hair, which was a dark blonde like hers instead of auburn. He was leaning to his side in the photo, and secretly giving Ash bunny ears, a mischievous smirk plastered on his face.

"Ash?" Serena began to ask, "Who is that?"

"Oh, you mean him? That's my brother," Ash bluntly stated.

"Oh, ok." She sat silent for a moment, before processing what he had just said. "Wait, what? Your brother? How come you've never mentioned him before either?" Serena almost screamed; shocked that Ash could forget to mention so many significant people from his life.

"Well, I guess the thought had never really crossed my mind," he replied shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

"Well how old is he?" Serena asked trying to learn about this mysterious brother of Ash's.

"He's a year older than us. He spent his first year as a Pokémon trainer here in Pallet Town so that he could time his travel through Kanto to be close to mine," Ash answered. "We ended up going to the same regions for a while, but he ended up spending some time helping Professor Oak, so I started in Sinnoh before he did. After that we never really synced up during our travels like before, which is why you never met him I guess."

"Oh, that's cool. Is he cute?" She asked innocently.

"Uhh what? How am I supposed to know? What does that even mean? And anyway, I haven't even seen him in a few years now!" Ash answered seemingly angry and still dense.

"Where is he right now?" Serena asked changing the subject, clearly not wanting to try and fail to explain to Ash what she meant.

"I'm not sure. I don't even know what he's been up to lately. With both of us traveling in different regions, it's been hard to stay in contact, since we aren't usually at Pokémon Centers at the same time," Ash replied. Now he wished he had paid attention to when his mom talked about him. He felt stupid, who didn't keep track of their own brother's achievements?

"Kids! Dinner's almost ready! Come set the table please!" A voice called coming from the kitchen.

"Sweet!" Ash yelled scrambling out of the room.

"Hey! Wait up Ash!" Serena yelled standing up and following him into the kitchen. He always left poor Serena behind. 'I will figure out a way to stop him from running off. Even if it means putting a leash on him,' she thought.

"Hey! May! Look at this!" Misty called, looking at a newspaper. It contained a picture of a few people all posing for the camera, as a group in oddly colored fishing outfits were forced into an armored vehicle. "Pokémon Pinchers Squashed!" The article was captioned.

"Wait, look at who is standing on the right!" May pointed, looking at a person in the middle of the picture. He looked older than when she had last seen him, but May would always recognize that face.

"No, it couldn't be! He couldn't have!" Misty exclaimed; eyes widened. She recognized him too.

"But who is that with him?" May asked, her heart dropping. She had good reason to. Standing next to him, winking, and making a V for victory with her fingers, was a girl with long, brown hair, a red and white outfit, and a Staraptor.

"Oh, I'm sure it's just someone he met traveling," Misty said noticing the brunette's change in attitude. 'I think I know what's up,' she thought, 'And if my plan works out, these next few days will be quite interesting.' "Now come on, let's get some dinner and some rest before we hike through Route 1," Misty said.

A boy stood on a hill, overlooking a town. His hair and black t-shirt flapped in the breeze. He looked out across to the town, remembering the good times he used to have there, then called spoke quietly to himself.

"Almost there. It has been too long. I'm glad mom called me; Ash is going to be so surprised."

He chuckled, glancing at the time on his watch. "Damn I'm going to be late if I don't hurry." He started his way down the hill, putting his hand in front of his face and squinting as the soon to set sun tried to blind him.

"I wonder who else got invited. Maybe even…" He contemplated out loud, his thoughts trailing off to a certain brunette not too far away. "Look at me." He scoffed. "Summer would be teasing me and saying I was acting ridiculous."

"Breon Umbreon!" The black and yellow creature next to him teased.

"I don't know what you are talking about," he scoffed. "I don't like her, we're just close friends. Besides, I haven't seen her in years. Oh, and just because Summer isn't here doesn't mean you get to tease me in her place!" He remarked.

"Umbreon Umb," it answered sarcastically with a smug, knowing grin.

"What do you mean 'Sure'? It's true!" He growled. He started grinding his teeth. All to the amusement his partner. If anything, it confirmed that Umbreon was right.

"Let's just get going," he grumbled changing the subject. He thought it would end the conversation. Unfortunately, luck was not on his side this time.

"Umbreon Um," the creature replied, smirking. It was enjoying itself. Who didn't enjoy teasing others?

"Oh, you want to go down this road?" The teen answered smirking. "What about her Eevee? You seemed to like her a lot." He laughed. The mouse's response was priceless.

"Breon Um Eon!" it chattered, blushing now itself. It was offended. How dare its trainer tease him.

"Oh, you so can pester me, but I can't pester you?" The annoyed trainer grumbled. Such was their way of life.

"Eon Um." It answered seriously, confirming its Trainer's question to be the truth.

"You know sometimes you really suck." His Trainer joked. Little did they know, Ash's recent accomplishments weren't the only reason they were called home.

Author: So, there you go. The brand-new chapter one! I hope you enjoyed it, because there will be plenty more to come!

Misty: When can I finally not be surrounded by perverts and the media?

Author: *grins devilishly* Never!

Misty: *pulls out mallet* What did you say?

Author: I said next chapter! Just don't kill me! Please! I have too much to live for!