by rion21

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon in any way. But I do own Pokemon games.

A/N: Okay... It's been more than a year since I wrote something up. This little brainchild of mine is based on the Pokemon Anime. I did this because I've decided to create fanfics of titles other than the Teen Titans (And because May is just so cute!). Anyway, enough of that. This chapter takes place before the episode "Once More With Reeling" which is the second to to the last episode of Battle Frontier. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Amidst the End of a Journey

Fresh from Ash's victory over the Battle Pyramid, the group find themselves in an unnamed forest while on their way to Terracotta Town. This will be their last stop together, because May and Max plan on riding the ferry due for the Hoenn Region. As they made their way through, Brock noticed that it was getting late, so the group agreed to spend the night camping out.

May had rested herself on top of a large branch in a tall tree and was gazing out towards the orange lit sky. She sighed deeply and seemed lost in thought. Due to this, she failed to notice as Ash climbed up the same tree just below her.

"Hey, what're doing up here May?" Ash asked, creeping behind May.

"Wha…? Ahhh!"

In astonishment, May lost her balance and was about to slide off the branch when Ash instinctively caught her by the waist. He straightened the girl up, who was still clutching a stitch in her chest. Ash then sat beside her on the same branch, scratching his head sheepishly.

"Uhm… Sorry about that," Ash apologized as May frowned at her. "I didn't mean to startle you or anything."

"What did I tell you about sneaking up at people, Ash Ketchum?" May scolded. Pikachu jumped from Ash's shoulder and perched itself on May's lap, making her frown disappear.

"I said I was sorry," Ash muttered, directing his gaze towards the sky. "So, what're you doing way up here anyway?"

"Oh, just thinking," May answered, scratching Pikachu behind the ears, earning a "Chaaaaaa…" of delight from the Pokemon.

"About what?"

"About what to do next," May said, cradling Pikachu in her arms. "I've been thinking about a lot of things I wanna do lately."

"I bet you're thinking about the next contests that you wanna participate in," Ash said, taking his turn on scratching Pikachu fondly behind the ears. "It's always been your dream to be a top Pokemon Coordinator, hasn't it?"

"Of course it is," May replied, gazing at the twilight sky. The sun was sinking fast over the horizon. "I've also been thinking about that lately, that and more."

"What do you mean?" Ash asked, looking at her.

"You know, I didn't think about anything but traveling when I first heard I was receiving a Pokemon," May said, gazing at Ash. "But when I traveled with you, I began to realize what my dream was. I worked hard on my dream and ended up being able to fulfill some of them.

"Now look at me, I'm a Pokemon Coordinator," May mused, smiling.

"And a good one at that too," Ash added, smiling back.

"Thanks Ash," May said, blushing a bit. "I guess what I'm really trying to say is that I couldn't have done it without you guys, especially you Ash.

"So thanks," May said with a wink.

"That was nothing," Ash remarked, scratching his head while smiling sheepishly. "All I did was to show you the ropes. That's all. It was you and your Pokemon who really pulled through."

"You're being modest Ash, but then," May began, glancing at Brock, Max, and their other Pokemon below them. Brock was cooking, while Max and the other Pokemon were playing around. "It feels a little strange. There might be a possibility that we won't be traveling together anymore.

"We've been through a lot huh?" May remarked, smiling brightly at Ash.

"Yeah," Ash responded, beaming back at her. Pikachu gave out a yawn. "It was really fun, too."

"Yeah."

The trio watched the sunset in silence for a moment. Ash seemed to think about something for a while. Pikachu yawned again, making May giggle.

"Tell you what, May," Ash began, catching her attention. "You can be able to fulfill your dream even if we aren't traveling together."

"You think so?" May asked. Ash then rested a hand on top of May's head. He noticed for the first time that she didn't have her bandana on, which was very uncharacteristic of her.

"I know so," Ash simply said, ruffling her hair.

"Hey, stop that," May demanded, making a face. "I'm not a little girl you know!"

"Yeah?" Ash taunted, ruffling her hair more enthusiastically. "You are younger that me, you know."

"It's just a year's difference!" May exclaimed indignantly.

"Pika?" Pikachu muttered, looking from one trainer to the other. Ash just laughed at her.

Both Ash and May fell silent. Pikachu let out another yawn, earning chuckles from both May and Ash. The Pokemon then peered at their companions below as May and Ash continued to watch the sunset.

"Pikapi," Pikachu urged, tugging on Ash's sleeve and pointing towards a rustling bush. It caught the attention of both trainers.

"Hey, what's that?" May wondered.

"Let's check it out," Ash suggested. Whatever was hiding inside the bushes seemed to be heading for their camp.

"Right."

"Pika!"

With the trio nodding in unison, they then proceeded quietly down the tree. Pikachu was the fastest down, then Ash, followed closely by May. They then crept cautiously towards the moving bushes.

"You ready?" Ash whispered. May and Pikachu nodded in response. "We'll peer into the bushes on three."

"One."

"Two."

"Three!"

Ash, May and Pikachu then stuck their heads in the bush, coming face to face with ---

"PIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!"

"A girl?!" Ash and May pointed out in unison.

"What's happening guys?!" Brock exclaimed, rushing towards Ash, May and Pikachu with Max and the rest of the Pokemon not far behind.

Ash, May, Pikachu and the girl stared blankly at each other for a few moments until Brock and the others came rushing towards them. The girl was about 10 years old, and was wearing a pink sleeveless shirt with an Official Pokemon League symbol imprinted on it and a pair of red knee-length cycling shorts topped with a pink mini-skirt. She had neck-length hair; her white headband glinted in the moonlight. She seemed to examine Ash's face for a moment. She looked at him, then at Pikachu, and then directed her gaze back at him.

"Excuse me," the girl began, pointing at Ash. "Are you Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town by any chance?"

"I am," Ash replied, sweatdropping. "Why?"

"I KNEW IT!" The girl exclaimed, hitting Ash with a great big glomp. Then she proceeded on shaking Ash by the collar. The others just looked on helplessly. "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!"

The girl continued to shake Ash enthusiastically, oblivious to the fact that she was actually strangling him already. Finally noticing that Ash had begun to turn blue, the girl let go of him, spun around and blushed furiously.

"S-sorry about that," She apologized, thoroughly embarrassed. "U-uhm… M-my name's Hannah."

"Hi, the name's Brock," He bent down on his knees in front of Hannah at this. "How'd you like---"

"Oh no you don't," Max muttered, grabbing Brock by the collar. "I'm Max"

"And I'm May," May introduced, smiling. "Pleased to meet you."

Hannah eyed May for a moment, and then crossed her arms. She gave her a penetrating glare, much to the coordinator's chagrin. Hannah then turned her attention back to Ash; a dreamy expression worn on her face.

What's up with her? May thought to herself, forcing out a grin.

"I knew it was you!" Hannah squeaked, her eyes practically sparkling. "One of the best young Pokemon trainers of all time! Ash Ketchum, I'm your biggest fan!"

"No… uh… well… I'm really not that great," Ash replied, a little flustered.

"Stop being so humble!" Hannah replied, beaming. "I know every one of your accomplishments! Top 16 in the Indigo League! Champion of the Orange League! Best 8 in the Silver Conference and almost winning the Hoenn League---!"

"Whoa!" Max uttered in awe. "Ash has a fangirl!"

"That's not fair!" Brock exclaimed in streams of tears. "Everybody knows that I'm the heartthrob around here!

"So what do you say to a date, young princess?" Brock inquired, clasping both of Hannah's hands in his.

"What do you say if I take you away?" Max muttered, dragging Brock away as Ash, May and Pikachu smile sheepishly. "You're gonna make her head throb."

"Well, I guess Ash is great," May said, placing a finger on her cheek while considering the fact. "He just recently conquered the Battle Frontier, but didn't accept the offer of being a Frontier Brain. You can put it that way. But you know, it might inflate his already large head and---"

"My, my, wouldn't you know," Hannah uttered, cutting May off and giving her another piercing glare.

I wonder what that was for, May thought to herself, grinning sheepishly. Heavy silence settled itself on the group at this, which Brock took the liberty of breaking.

"Why don't we discuss that over dinner you guys?"

"Sounds like a plan," Ash said, glancing at May, who earned another glare at this. "I'm starving."

"I don't need to eat while I'm with Ash," Hannah said dreamily. As if to contradict her, Hannah's stomach grumbled, making her blush.

"I guess your stomach doesn't agree with you," Max muttered with a snicker.

With that, they went to enjoy Brock's handmade dinner, delicious as always. Strangely enough, the whole evening went about without much incident, except if you count Hannah taking note of everything Ash did. Little did they know what was in store for them tomorrow.

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A/N: And that's that. I hope the people who read this would kindly R&R me. Thanks a bunch in advance. Oh and those who don't like the pairing, I humbly ask you to respect my work. It might turn out to be good for you if you give it a chance. Thank you very much. X3