Bashful Brilliance

(Brendan x OC, Dawn x Ash)

"I didn't make you wait too long, did I?" The boy smiled happily, his hat still laying firmly on his head. He seemed to be smiling the same as always, but for anyone who hadn't met him in the past, it was clear his cheer was a bit higher then a normal level- at least, a normal level for anyone else if it was supposed to be their natural level.

"Nah, I just got here myself really."

"Yeah? Then why did you look like you've been being bombarded with Pokemon from your ability for an hour?" Ash rolled his eyes, referring to the many knots in her hair and small tatters in her clothes.

"Eheh..." The girl laughed nervously, causing Brendan to frown. "Okay so I was here early, big deal. I was excited okay?"

"What happened though?"

"Well, as Ash said, I was indeed bombarded by Pokemon. That's why I stole his hat until I can find mine- mine got stolen earlier today..."

"Right... Your hair secretes a special aroma that attracts Pokemon to you naturally so your ability can work."

"It's not like I asked for it to happen though..." A drop of sweat rolled down her head, her laugh becoming even more on the cautious side. "Really, though, I was so excited, I just couldn't help but come early." She calmed down, smiling more regularly. She felt a tap on her shoulder which caused her to look at Dawn. "What's wrong?"

"Aren't you gonna introduce us to your friend, silly?"

"Oh! Right!" Hiruka laughed nervously, looking to Brendan with a smile, then at the others. "Guys, this is my friend Brendan. Brendan, this is my sister Dawn, our friend Ash and... Uh..."

"Wow, you really don't recognize me? You battled me half a year ago..." Brock laughed. "Well, he did."

"Oh! Right! Sorry!" She laughed nervously in return. "My mind's fuzzy lately I guess. You already know each other though so introductions there aren't necessary right?"

"Good point." Brendan nodded in agreement. "So, should we get going to your mom's house?"

"Sure! Mom'll be happy, I bet, too!" She looked to her sister. "You're going to mom's house too for the festival, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, let's all go together! C'mon, it'll be fun!"

Dawn's laughter was clear. "Alright, sure. Let's go!" Dawn looked at her sister with a smirk. She began to sprint ahead, spinning to look to Hiruka. "Race ya!"

"Oh no you don't! You won't get away that fast, Sis!" Hiruka began to run after the girl, and the three boys followed suit, laughing.

"Ash, you know Hiri, right?" Brendan looked at the other trainer curiously. "I'm curious how."

"That's a long story, but let's just say what happened earlier with the pokemon is exactly what happened at that point too." Ash laughed. "As in, her hat got stolen and she was getting attacked left and right."

"Oh boy..." Brendan let out a sigh. "She's had no luck with that for how long now?"

"Well we were about six or seven, so at least eight years." Ash nodded. "But she doesn't seem to mind it anymore. When we were small back then, she was so upset about her ability that she literally hid from anyone. She was afraid of people... She seems so easygoing and the like now."

"She still worries a lot... But even she's said she's not as afraid as she was."

"It's been clear since I met you two that it was you that sorta helped spiral that a bit faster though." Brock looked to Brendan with a chuckle. "If I recall, you two were pretty attached to each other." The boy soon felt a rush of blood go to his cheeks. Simultaneously, a young girl was behind them and recognized the three.

"Ash! Brock! And...Brendan?" The girl ran behind them, tapping Ash's shoulder.

"M-May!"

"Sis! What're you doing here?" Brendan looked to May with a surprised look.

"I could ask you the same thing, Brendan." May rolled her eyes.

"Did you just say sister, Brendan?" Ash looked at the other boy.

"Yeah... Why?"

"Then you're Norman's kid?"

"Yeah. Is it that strange?" Brendan laughed, feeling something tugging on his hand. Or rather, someone.

"You okay? You guys were really slowing down so we got worried." Hiruka was there with Brendan's hand, Dawn nearby. Dawn waved hello to May and vice versa.

"Sorry, Hiri! Got side-tracked." Brendan laughed, clearly more because it was in fact funny to him than from any sort of concern. Meanwhile, Hiruka looked to May curiously, wondering who she was.

"So this is the girl you keep talking about huh, lover boy?" May laughed as she teased her brother, smiling to Hiruka. "My name's May- I'm Brendan's younger sister. It's nice to meet you."

"S-Shut it May!" Brendan was grumbling over the first thing she'd said, however Hiruka seemed to have paid no attention to it.

"My name's Hiruka. It's nice to meet you, May." There was a simple look on her face. However, Dawn seemed to have a strange sparkle in her eye.

"Hey! Brendan, I wanted to talk to you about something! Let's go on ahead. Besides, mom's gonna be mad if we're late." May had a similar sparkle in her eye. As Dawn finished her statement, May giggled, looking at Hiruka.

"Can we take a walk together, Hiruka? Since Dawn's stealing Brendan for a bit anyway, I figure I should get some time to know you too!"

"Um...Sure, I guess." Hiruka looked to Brendan and the others. "See you later?"

"Yeah. See ya, Hiri." Brendan waved, however was soon dragged off by Dawn. Similarly, May began to tug on Hiruka's hand and led her the opposite way. Ash and Brock looked at each other blankly.

"Something's going on..."

"Yeah, but what?"