Author's Note: Can anybody guess the reference in this chapter's title?

Normal POV

Adam, Jason, and Megan had been traveling all day after leaving Petalburg City. Now the sun was just starting to set. Megan had been having a lot on her mind all day.

"How about we stop for the night?" Jason suggested.

Adam and Megan agreed and the three found a clearing in the forest next to the edge of a steep hill.

"I'll cook us some supper." Megan offered.

"I'm excited to taste your food for the first time." Adam said.

"Same here. It'll be a nice change from what we're used to while traveling." Jason added.

"Adam, do you eat as much as your dad did when he was traveling with my mom? I need to know how much extra food to cook." Megan jokingly inquired.

Adam sheepishly admitted that he did, and the three shared a laugh.

"Don't worry. I won't let any of us go hungry, nor our Pokemon." Megan said with a smile.

As Megan started a fire and began to prepare supper, Adam and Jason worked on setting up the tent and rolling out three sleeping bags inside it. As Jason crawled out of the tent, Megan seemed to have noticed what they had done while she had been cooking.

"Oh, thanks for setting up the tent." she commented.

"When we traveled with Michelle, the three of us had to pitch in to make things work efficiently." Jason said.

"It was a group effort, so that nobody was too exhausted after a long day of walking. We all looked after one another and this is no different." Adam added.

Megan smiled to herself and thought, It's nice to know that they officially consider me a part of their group.

"Then this will work out perfectly for us. The three of us working together to get everything set up and ready for the nights that we spend camping." she replied.

A little while later, Megan finished making their meal.

"Supper's ready!" she announced.

The three of them released their Pokemon and filled their bowls with food before sitting down and eating their own meal.

Adam hummed in delight. "This is delicious, Megan! May did a great job of teaching you how to cook."

"Yeah, she did! When we first started our journey with Michelle, none of us could cook, so we had very basic meals. It's good to know that we'll be eating a lot better on this journey." Jason added.

"Thanks, guys. My mom always enjoyed good foods and she was able to pick up a few things from Brock while on her travels. But afterwards, when she was traveling on her own, she wanted to make sure that she knew how to cook, so she asked my grandma to teach her. My mom also wanted to make sure that April and I knew how to cook and fend for ourselves, too. I take pride in cooking delicious food and it pleases me to hear your approval of it."

Maybe being better than Michelle at something such as this could help get me one step closer to them. Although...they did say that I was considered part of their group. It's nice that they've been so welcoming of me so far. When I met them in Littleroot Town, my biggest fear was that I wouldn't fit in and I'd feel like the outsider of the group.

These thoughts made Megan feel a little better about herself and feel more comfortable around the boys. But something else was still weighing on her mind.

As the three ate their supper, a comfortable silence fell over them until Adam broke it.

"I forgot to ask about Max, your mom's brother. Where is he now?" he asked.

"Well, he did become a Pokemon trainer once he was old enough and even competed in a few Pokemon League tournaments, but he never won any. He washed out as a trainer, but he'd always had a vast knowledge of Pokemon and a desire to learn. So he decided to put that knowledge to good use and went to school to become a Pokemon professor. He's now the professor in Sinnoh, since he inherited the lab after Professor Rowan died, which was around the time that I was born."

Megan then reached into her bag and removed a Pokenav. "Uncle Max sent this to my mom for my journey and sent one for April, too. With this, we don't have to worry about ever getting lost during this journey."

As the kids and their Pokemon finished eating, Adam broke the silence again as Megan began cleaning up.

"Megan, you've had a sad look on your face for most of the day while we were traveling. Has anything been bothering you?" Adam asked.

"I just...can't stop thinking about my contest loss to Christina. If I can't beat her, then I have no chance of winning any ribbons, especially against experienced coordinators like Amber and Ashlyn." she admitted sadly.

"We can train tomorrow morning, so that you can be better prepared for your next contest. You may have trained with Skye for your first contest, but both of you were new coordinators who hadn't competed before, so you were both learning as you went. That's how it was for me and Jason when we first started out. Having the opportunity to train with someone experienced will be a big help and help you improve a lot more." said Adam.

Megan stared at Adam, wide-eyed. She was shocked, but happily so. "Are you...really serious about helping me, Adam?"

"Of course I am." he said with a reassuring smile. "Remember when we first met? I promised to help you if you wanted it. Besides, I need to train Mudkip because I'm planning to use him in my next gym battle and Mudkip needs the experience, since he hasn't been in a battle yet. So helping you train your Pokemon would be beneficial to my Pokemon, too. You and I both have something to gain from training together."

Adam then added, "And besides, helping each other out is just part of being a good friend."

Megan looked taken aback by Adam's words. "We're...friends? But we've only known each other for a few days. How can you see me as a friend already, Adam?"

"I judge people based on how they treat others, Megan. I can tell that you're a kind person. So yes, you're definitely my friend." Adam replied.

Megan smiled, feeling happy after hearing Adam's words. Her biggest fears about fitting in with the two boys had been laid to rest.

And then Adam did something that almost made Megan's heart stop beating! He reached over and embraced her in a comforting, friendly hug.

Megan's cheeks became bright red. She hadn't expected Adam to do that! But at the same time, it felt nice and it gave her the confirmation that what Adam had told her was real. There was no need to worry about her place among the group anymore. She wrapped her arms around Adam and returned the hug.

"Thank you, Adam. I'm glad that we're friends." she said quietly, with her blush fading.

"So am I. And nothing will ever change that." Adam replied.

The next morning, Megan woke up in the tent and saw that Jason and Pikachu were still asleep, but Adam and Eevee weren't in the tent and the tent flap was left open. Megan yawned and stretched. Adam wasn't usually a morning person, mostly being the second or last person to get up in the mornings. And when they had stayed in the Pokemon Center or at her house, he had never woken up this early. Megan didn't know where he was or why he wasn't there.

Confused, but determined to find out where Adam and Eevee were, she got out of the tent. She found Eevee sitting near the edge of the hill, watching the sun rise. As the sun peeked over the horizon, Eevee closed her eyes and smiled as the morning sunlight hit her fur. Megan could see that her Pokemon enjoyed the sunshine and she walked over and sat down next to her.

Eevee cried out happily at Megan's arrival and Megan petted her head, smiling and watching the sun finish rising with her for the next few minutes.

After that, Megan stood up to begin getting things ready for breakfast. As she began cooking, Jason emerged from the tent and greeted Megan as he came over and sat down. Megan cooked in a comfortable silence as Jason yawned and stretched. As she neared the end of her cooking, Adam walked out from the forest.

"Hey, where were you?" Megan asked as he came and sat down.

"I was just exploring the forest." Adam replied.

However, his answer didn't sound fully truthful, judging by his tone, but Megan decided to not question him further...yet.

But little did Megan or Jason know that Adam had woken up early to begin training his Aura. He hadn't told anyone about it because he was afraid that his friends might think or look at him differently if they knew that he had those powers. Sure, his dad had them, but his dad was the Pokemon Master, the Chosen One, it all made sense for him to have them. Adam was just a normal boy, except for being the son of the Pokemon Master and a Top Coordinator. Most people only knew him because of his parents.

Once breakfast was finished and everything was cleaned up, Adam and Megan faced one another in the clearing, ready to train Eevee and Mudkip.

"I'm not going to hold back, Megan." Adam said.

"I don't expect you to, Adam. Ready, Eevee?" Megan asked her Pokemon.

Eevee cried out happily and looked determinedly at Mudkip.

"Alright, Mudkip! Use Water Gun!"

"Dodge it, Eevee! Then use Swift!"

Mudkip wasn't able to dodge the attack.

"Shake it off and use Tackle!"

"Meet it with Headbutt!"

They traded blow for blow as the attacks connected.

... ...

Both Pokemon were reaching their limits, yet both were holding their own.

Eevee was heading towards Mudkip with Headbutt.

"Mud Slap, Mudkip!"

"Stop, Eevee!" Megan cried.

But her command came too late and Eevee took a hit.

"Use Quick Attack and get away, Eevee!"

Eevee recovered quickly and darted towards Michelle's side of the clearing.

"Use Quick Attack again!"

"Dodge, Mudkip! Use Water Gun!"

Eevee's Quick Attack narrowly missed and Mudkip's attack hit directly. That was the last blow and Eevee fell to the ground, defeated.

Megan and Adam returned their Pokemon and Megan walked over to where Adam was standing.

"Wow, Mudkip looked pretty strong, despite having not battled before." said Megan.

"Well, Eevee looks a lot stronger and faster than she did in the contest." Adam replied.

"It looks like you were right about us training together. It helps both of us and helps our Pokemon improve, too."

This time, it was Megan who initiated the hug and wrapped her arms around Adam in thanks. He was surprised, but not as much as Megan had been when he had first hugged her. He quickly returned the hug.

"Thank you, Adam...for everything."

"Any time, Megan."

And even though they couldn't see each other's faces as they hugged, they each knew that the other was smiling.

A few days had passed and the three friends were walking down the path to Rustboro City, site of the next gym and contest.

"Adam, is your family wealthy, since your dad is the Pokemon Master?" Megan asked.

"Yes, we are." Adam replied.

"How come your dad decided to stay in a small community like Pallet Town? He could've chosen any city in the world to live in and could've afforded a mansion, living in the lap of luxury with you and your mom!"

Adam looked over at Megan, his eyebrow raised.

"I'm just curious as to why your dad chose to live a simple, unglamorous life. And if he has the money, why not flaunt it? It's the complete opposite of how someone wealthy would normally live! Wouldn't you have preferred to live and grow up like that?" Megan inquired.

"Well...I like living in a small town. I don't want to be known as someone rich and wealthy because of the stereotype that comes with it. I enjoy my life how it is. My dad taught me the importance of what really matters in life, and the fact that money is just a means to an end. My dad wanted me to grow up knowing value over wealth."

"That makes sense."

"By the way, do you remember the contest that your mom competed in with my dad?" Adam asked, shifting the conversation.

"Yes, it ended up in a tie and there was only one ribbon to be awarded, so they cut it into two pieces as a keepsake for each of them. It really showed how close they were." Megan replied.

Adam nodded his head. "That was actually my dad's first time ever being in a contest, even if it wasn't an official one. He liked it enough to try it again a couple of times in Sinnoh while on his journey with my mom."

"Did you ever compete in a contest with Michelle while in Kanto or Johto?"

"No, but we did train together. Also, seeing her performances did inspire some ideas for my gym battles."

"Would you ever consider being in a contest with me like how our parents were?" Megan asked hopefully.

"I'm not sure. I have no plans to compete in a contest right now, but my dad did learn a lot of techniques and develop new skills from seeing my mom's contest performances. And he has said many times that if it weren't for my mom's help, he would never have became the Pokemon Master. So if contests could help my dad succeed, then they might just help me, too. I'll just have to give it some more thought first before I decide anything for certain."

His comment left Megan with a sense of hope and she thought to herself, Well, he didn't say no! Maybe he will compete in a contest with me. It would be nice to compete with a friend like him at least once.

"Him? In a contest? I'll just beat him like I beat you." a familiar voice said from behind them.

They turned around and came face-to-face with Christina! This was the first time that they had seen her in her normal clothes and not in her contest outfit. She wore a black sleeveless shirt with purple leggings and matching sneakers.

She flaunted something that shined, but it wasn't a ribbon. It was the Petalburg City gym badge!

"I'm not only aiming to reach the Grand Festival, but the Pokemon League, too." she said, holding her head up.

"You see, once I learned about you two boys traveling with Megan, that automatically made you two my rivals as well. I'm going to prove that I'm stronger than all three of you by doing something that has never been done before by anyone: win the Hoenn League and the Hoenn Grand Festival in the same year!

"Oh, and Megan? Your grandfather was a much better challenge than you were in the contest."

Her eyes shifted over to Adam. "Adam, right? If Megan's parents couldn't stay together, then how long do you think it will take for your parents to split? How long will it take Master Ketchum to leave Dawn and find a new woman? Or maybe he's already been seeing other women behind your backs for a long time and neither of you know about it!"

Adam's eyes lowered and he clenched his fists. "My dad went missing for over a year and my mom stayed faithful through it all, so I know that my dad will, too! You don't know my family, so don't make any assumptions! We value family and have beliefs that you obviously lack!"

"Oh, struck a nerve, did I? I challenge you to a battle. I'll prove to you that I'm as good of a trainer as I am a coordinator!"

"Fine. You're on." Adam said, wanting to defend his parents' honor.

The four found a decent-sized clearing and Adam made his way across to the other side. Jason went to the middle to be the ref and Megan stood on the side with Eevee and Pikachu beside her.

"This will be a one-on-one battle. Begin!" Jason said.

"Mudkip, let's show 'em!" Adam cried, tossing his Pokeball.

"Seviper, go!" Christina cried, tossing her Pokeball.

"Use Water Gun, Mudkip!"

"Dodge, Seviper!"

... ...

Mudkip was holding his own against Seviper so far. He had gotten stronger, training with Jason's Pokemon and Megan's Pokemon over the last few days.

"Poison Tail, Seviper!"

"Dodge it!" Adam cried.

But Mudkip couldn't dodge Seviper's Poison Tail and after the attack had landed, Mudkip was left poisoned.

"Hang in there, Mudkip! Use Tackle!"

"Dodge and use Wrap, Seviper!"

Seviper wrapped its body around Mudkip.

"Use Water Gun and escape, Mudkip!"

Mudkip was able to escape, but the poison took effect and Mudkip fell to the ground and fainted.

"Well, that was somewhat of a challenge. I'll see you all in Rustboro City for the next contest." Christina said, flipping her hair and walking off.

"I need to find a Pokemon that can stand up to Seviper and deal with its poison." Adam said, spraying a Potion onto Mudkip to heal his injuries for the time being until they reached a Pokemon Center.

"We all do." said Jason. "If she's going to be a rival to all three of us, then we ALL need to find a Pokemon that can deal with Seviper."

"But which one can we catch?" Megan wondered aloud.

Back in Petalburg City at the Hayden house, May sat in her living room on a couch while Ash and Dawn sat in chairs, facing her. Dawn had just gotten back from talking with Drew. She had agreed to go and talk to him and find out his side of the story.

"Drew maintained his innocence and I don't think that he was lying to me." said Dawn.

"How are you so sure?" May asked.

"May, remember that I'm good at reading people, their faces, their reactions, and their feelings. I believe that Drew is innocent and you should believe in him too, and not give up on him.

"Drew told me to tell you that he loves you and nobody could ever change his mind. He's trying to prove his innocence on his own and I don't think that's his excuse to go out and see other women."

"What about the women's clothes and underwear that I've found in our closet? It doesn't belong to me."

"Because I believe that Drew is innocent, it means that someone has planted those items there to make him look bad and to try and break you both up. But as for why, none of us know. May, can you think of anyone who may have a grudge against you and your family or would want to break you and Drew up?"

"Megan mentioned that girl, Christina. Christina saw Drew with her mom, apparently."

"We need to find out who Christina's parents are. Maybe they'll lead us to whoever is trying to break up your family."

May stood up and hugged Dawn. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me. I feel some relief, knowing that Drew is still here for me. I trust your instincts, Dawn."

"Anything for a friend, May. Especially one like you, who's like my big sister."

Ash gasped suddenly and rubbed his temples.

"Ash?" Dawn asked. "What's wrong?"

"It's Adam. He's in danger!"

Author's Note: Megan gets better acquainted with the boys, finds her place in the group, fits right in, and officially becomes their newest friend. Plus, she and Adam begin training together in preparation for their upcoming challenges. Adam is also keeping his Aura training a secret from his friends.

They also run into Christina again, who is determined to triumph over all three of them by winning both the Pokemon League and Grand Festival in the same year! She already has her first badge and even managed to beat Adam in a battle! The three friends are now determined to each find a Pokemon that can stand up against her Seviper.

Back in Petalburg City, Dawn is helping May out by trying to uncover the source of Drew's supposed infidelity.

But what is this danger that Ash is feeling for Adam? And what Pokemon will our heroes catch next?

Find out in the next exciting chapter of Pokemon NG!