hey guys! here's another chapter because I literally can't stop writing for this story lmao. I spent a good chunk of my day mapping out the results of this conference, assigning Pokémon to trainers that didn't have full teams, and making sure all of my information was accurate! quick update on the changes I've decided on: the first is that Gary would also be a coordinator in this story, simply because he is (or was) Ash's main rival and it just makes sense, ya know? Sawyer and Alain will also make appearances in their usual roles from the anime, and a few game counterparts will be in this story too! (so far, Brendan and Wally have been set in stone. Let me know if you wanna see anyone else!) well, that's all from me this time, so I hope you guys enjoy! -AJ

Ash looked up, surprised to see a familiar face. Max Maple, now a Pokémon trainer, beamed down at the native of Kanto. "Well? Can I sit or do you want me to go bother someone else?" the young teen smirks.

"Sit down Max." Ash rolls his eyes, focusing his attention down to the battlefield. If he squinted hard enough, he could make out May's red bandana and the bright flame of Charmander's tail. If he didn't know any better, he might have assumed that she was getting worried, and well, he never could leave a friend if they needed help.

"I'm gonna go check on May real quick; I'll be back in a few." the coordinator tells his mother and friend. He rises to his feet and shuffles past the few people left in the row, hurrying down the stairs to make it down to where May was standing.

The trainer in question anxiously watched Drew's Pyroar blasted a column of fire at his opponent's Klefki. Her blue eyes were dark with worry and the Pokémon sitting on her shouldereasily picked up on the nervous mood of her trainer.

May only looked over her shoulder when the doors slammed open behind her. She was startled to see Ash making his way towards her, but she didn't fight the urge to approach him. Charmander jumped off her shoulder to sit with Pikachu, giving both trainers the ability to move freely. The two Pokémon knew full well that if anyone could cheer May up, it would be the Kanto native.

Ash's arms moved up on their own accord so he could embrace her, and May had already thrown her arms around his shoulders before he could say a word. "What's bothering you?"

The trainer mumbles something against his chest as her shoulders shake with her silent anxieties. The two Pokémon looked up at their trainers with worried expressions, both knowing that May was worrying too much for her own good.

"And the winner is Drew from LaRousse City! Please standby as we prepare for the next battle."

"Drew swept his opponent's team. I'm so worried..." she mutters again, this time loud enough for Ash to hear. "I understand." he starts to say, and that's when she puts aside her pride to finally break down in the comfort of his arms.

She's not crying, but her breaths are forced and her chest is heaving. "What if I'm not good enough?" May asks, too worried to look him in the eye. "What if I disappoint my family, or my Pokémon? What if... What if I disappoint you?" she whispers, voice breaking.

"May, please look at me." She shakes her head so Ash tries again. "Please May. I want you to look me in the eyes as I say this to you."

She shakes her head again, and he sighs because he knows she won't budge. "Okay, okay. You win."

He takes a deep breath as he soothingly rubs her back to calm her down. "You could never be a disappointment. You're the best trainer I've ever seen, both on and off the field. Your Pokémon adore you and they're here to support you along the way."

May is silent as he speaks, but her breathing has slowed and her shoulders have stopped shaking.

"Your family loves you and will forever be proud of you." Ash says, smiling fondly at the memory of the proud look on Max's face. "All of your rivals support you, even if they want to win themselves. I'm sure even Drew would agree that if he couldn't win, you would deserve itmost." He can't stop his heart from skipping a beat when she giggles.

"I'll get off of my soapbox now and end with this: you are my best friend. I will always support you and I would drop everything just to remind you that you are amazing at what you do."

The trainer slowly nods her head, continuing to let her best friend comfort her. "Thank you." she mutters, finally moving her head to look up at him. Ash raises an eyebrow, albeit with a smirk, and May sighs playfully before continuing.

"Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for being the very best friend I could ever ask for." Instead of vocalizing his answer, Ash holds her a little tighter, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"Now get ready to show Kalos what the Hoenn region is really made of!" Laughing at his words, May steps back and squats down to pet Charmander. The young fire type had been trying to get her trainer's attention, had been trying to help. "I'm alright now sweetie. Thank you for the concern."

"May Maple and Andrew Carter, please report to the exit by the field."

Looking over her shoulder as the intercom went off overhead, May turns back to Ash with a sheepish smile. "Well, I guess that's my cue."

The raven haired coordinator nods before he says goodbye. "Max and I will be cheering for you."

Despite her blush, May smiled with determination and nodded her head. "I won't let you down."

Ash grins brightly at her words before leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek. "Just returning the favor." he says with a wink, before giving her a thumbs up. "You can do this. You're May Maple, the best Pokémon trainer ever!" he adds before they part ways. The brunette takes a deep breath and approaches the doors that lead to the battlefield.

"Let's do this Charmander." she says, eyes burning with passion.

"Charmander!" the Pokémon cheers, eager to help her trainer in any that she can. With confidence in her step, May walks out onto the field. Her eyes search the crowd for Ash and when she spots him making his way to his seat, she grins brightly.

"Red Trainer, you will be revealing your Pokémon first." the referee calls out to Andrew, who grits his teeth and nods. "Alright Blastoise, it's show time! Let's show the Kalos region what Kanto is all about!" The large turtle Pokémon appears on the field with a loud thud!

"Green Trainer, please send out your Pokémon." May's eyes dart to Ash and Max before she nods her head, pulling a Pokéball from her fanny pack. "Venusaur, take the stage! Let's give it our best shot!" She tosses her Pokéball into the air, and once the Kanto starter type lands on the field, the battle begins.