This is our new home?

May spun on her heel, disbelief obvious on her face like honey in a Combee nest. The town was indeed the smallest she'd ever seen. It didn't even have a Pokémon Center. All it had were three houses and a building that looked like a lab, making May wonder how such a small town could even exist.

Rattling from the moving van behind her caught her attention, and with a loud sigh, she went to assist the movers. This plan however was interrupted as her mother exited their new cottage to greet her. Answering her mom's questions with barely a thought, May waited to be excused. Eventually her mother stopped boasting about their new place and allowed her to go upstairs to her new room. After unpacking her personal items, May laid on her new bed, staring out the window, tired but not willing to stay up all night to nap now. It was a good thing she didn't, she realized, as moments later her mother came in asking her to take a parcel to their neighbor's house. Bored, she agreed. It's not like her mother would let her anyway, it was her polite way of commanding her to do something.

Trudging next door, she knocked, waiting patiently for someone to answer. When May showed it to the lady said to give it to her son, who was upstairs. Now her mother wasn't strict, but there had been a long standing rule of no boys in her room, so even having permission to enter a boy's room weirded her out. The room itself was empty though, the door wide open to reveal its unoccupied space.

I'll just leave it on his desk then.

Relief quickly turned to surprise when the sound of footsteps halted the few feet she'd crossed to the desk. Holding the small parcel to her chest, May spun around guiltily.

"Who-"

"Sorry," May apologized, although she'd done nothing wrong. "Your mom said to leave these with you."

The boy looked mildly confused as she thrust the package at him, which he accepted hesitantly. "You're May, right? Mom said you were up here."

"That's me, and you are?"

"Brendan," Pushing a lock of brown hair off his forehead, he stuck his hand out to shake.

May ignored it as she studied the young man. Somehow when her mother had mentioned that the Professor had a son, she'd expected him to be older than her, possibly in his twenties or thirties. Not the same age as her. His messy brown hair was stuck under a horrendous green cap, matching the jacket he wore over an orange shirt. Jeans and converse completed the look. She couldn't believe his choice of clothing. May didn't want to tell others how they should dress, but his appearance made the fashion police in her shudder. The first chance she got, she was hauling him to the mall and showing him what actually went together.

"Do you have a Pokémon?" Brendan asked, lowering his hand. "I can catch you one, if you want." His offer was as immediate as the shake of her head. May was pondering how to best turn down his offer when a look of horror crossed his face, followed by a hurried excuse that his dad needed his help catching some Pokémon. Her work done, May followed him outside, him rushing off to the lab and her headed towards her new house. That is until a young girl came rushing up to her. May was almost amused when she saw the girl's orange sundress. What is it with people and the color orange in this town? She'd yet to see anyone who wasn't wearing the it somewhere on their person since she'd arrived, even her mother had been wearing it.

"Miss, can you help me?" A sharp tug on her hand shocked May. Although the girl only came up to her shoulder, she was strong, managing to drag her several yards before she could react.

"Wait," May dug her feet into the ground to halt them. "What do you need help with? Where are your parents?"

Huffing, the girl shoved her bangs out of her line of vision. "My parents are at work and you need to see what's going on over there." Following her finger, May spotted a narrow trail leading out of town. Howls could be heard echoing off the trees.

May opened her mouth to disagree, that they both should stay here until someone who actually knew what they were doing came along, but the words died in her throat when she glanced down at the small girl. She was worrying her bottom lip, looking less like the confident girl May had first encountered and more like a scared kid.

"Alright, I'll go," May found herself answering, marching forward before she could think about it. Not sure what she'd find, May kept to the middle of the path. Following it for a few minutes, May stopped short at the end of the left hand turn. A few yards away was a guy in a white lab coat being chased by three dog Pokémon. The man barely climbed a nearby tree before the hounds caught up to him, barking.

"Oh! You there!" His voice startled May, who pointed at herself, staring at him questioningly. "Yes, you. Reach into that bag there and grab one of those PokéBall, any will do."

"Okay..." Wanting to help, May scanned the grass around her until she found the brown knapsack the man meant. Digging around randomly, she pulled out the first round object she touched, glad it was a PokéBall. A small chick Pokémon emerged when she pressed the button, which May couldn't help noticing, was also orange. Except a less horrendous shade than the one the townsfolk wore.

"Perfect, Torchic," The Pokémon turned when the man called to her. "Give it a command!" The last part being yelled -at her, May wracked her brain for a possible attack she could use. Well it kinda looks like it could be a Fire-type...so maybe...

"Torchic, use Ember!"

Shocked at her the confidence in her own voice, May watched in astonishment as Torchic launched the attack, hitting two of the dog Pokémon. The third was struck by its fainted comrades.

After helping the man climb down from the tree, May followed him back to town, Torchic coping her. "That sure was impressive, I sure appreciate you helping me out back there." Glancing at him in surprise, May waved away his gratitude. Soon they reached the small town, the man, May was completely shocked to learn, was Professor Birch, the region's leading Pokémon expert.

"It seems like Torchic really likes you May," Professor Birch commented once the introductions were made, indicating the small Fire-type who hadn't left her side. The cool air in the lab keeping the heat of the day at bay, something May was especially grateful for.

"It was nothing, this girl told me to go look for you. She's the one you should be thanking."

Professor Birch nodded, "I will pay her a visit in a little while then."

May nodded in agreement, turning to go. "Well it was nice me-"

"Wait, May." Turning to face him again, she waited with what little patience she had left. "Why don't you take Torchic with you?"

May stared at him. She didn't hate Pokémon, but with her parents dragging her to different regions for work, she'd never gotten one herself. It wasn't like she could go traipsing through a region on a journey on her own anyway.

"Tor, chic," Her gaze landed on the small chick Pokémon, rubbing against her leg. May felt her heart melting a little at how adorably forlorn she looked.

"Is that what you want Torchic?" May asked quietly, crouching to be eye level with her.

Torchic smiled, springing into May's arms, snuggling herself against her and nodding vigorously. A smile reached her face for the first time all day as she took Torchic's PokéBall from Professor Birch, only waning slightly at being asked to go see Brendan again later in the day.

🔥🔥🔥

May was not surprised to see Brendan's head poking through the door to the Pokémon League. Somehow she knew he'd come. He'd followed her every where. After beating him in a battle he'd insisted upon the day they'd met, he'd began appearing with regularity. He was at the gym where she'd won her first badge when her mother had forced her to go see her dad in the next town where he was a Gym Leader, although he wouldn't battle her back then. Nope, instead he'd challenged her to try to beat Roxanne at her gym before she quit being a Trainer. Never one to back down from a challenge, May had done just that, surprising herself more than anyone when she'd won. That's when she'd realized she loved battling.

That felt like years ago, although in reality it was only months.

"You sure took forever," May teased, standing up to stretch, watching her new opponent with one eye. "Finally come to battle me huh?"

"I knew I was right about you. My dad just saw it before I did," Brendan's soft voice carried easily in the still room.

Confused, May remained silent.

Brendan stepped up to the challenger's side of the battlefield. "You can befriend any Pokémon with ease, I knew that the moment I saw you with Torchic."

May was shocked, she certainly hadn't done anything spectacular. Torchic was the one had who chosen to join her.

"Enough of that, I came her to battle, not talk." Brendan broke the silence, nervously rolling a PokéBall between thumb and forefinger. "But, before we begin, let's make this a little more interesting."

"How so?" May apprehensively raised a brow, staring with curiosity at his confident smirk.

Brendan's smirk became a full blown smile, "When I win you go one a date with me."

"Don't count your Torchics before they hatch."

Brendan nodded once, "Wise words, Champion."

Weighing her options, plus the likelihood she'd lose, she agreed. "I accept your challenge, and your bet."

This will be easy, I've already battled and defeated him several times.

"Swellow, use Aerial Ace!"

"Harden Magmar, then Ember!"

May's Swellow managed to one hit KO-ed Brendan's Magmar, but became burned due to his Flame Body ability. Wincing at her Pokémon's jolt of pain as she was sapped of her strength, May gritted her teeth. She almost swapped to a new Pokémon when she saw Swellow shake her head. She loved to battle, and there was no way she'd quit until she wasn't able to continue.

Ludicolo was Brendan's next choice, dancing happily around the field like it was a stage. "Absorb!"

"Quick Attack into Steel Wing!"

Swellow took off immediately, although Ludicolo dodged the first attack, sucking some of Swellow's health in the process, the speed boost gave her the chance to hit with Steel Wing on the return.

"Nature Power!"

"Swellow!" Defying the rules for once in her life, May rushed to catch her falling Pokémon. Brendan didn't seem to care though, asking repeatedly if her partner was okay. Assuring him she was, May reclaimed her side of the field, sending out her Breloom.

"Seed Bomb, quick!"

"Absorb!"

Both Grass-types went back and forth for several moments, neither willing to lose, although in the end it was May's Breloom who won the sucking the life out of each other battle.

May wiped sweat off her brow, limbs beginning to shake as if it were her doing combat. "This is harder than last time we battled."

Brendan smiled at the compliment. "It's more fun too,"

"Agreed,"

"Good. Now, come join the party Tropius!"

"Breloom, Rock Tomb!"

An avalanche of falling boulders appeared above the Flying/Grass-type, hit him as he tried to fly away from them.

"Tropius! Are you okay?" Brendan's call caused Tropius to force himself to attempt crawling from beneath the rocks, but he was trapped on three sides. "Return," Having no choice, Brendan switched to his last Pokémon.

Despite being strong against Water types, Breloom succumbed to Marshtomp's attacks due to how much damage she'd already received.

"Raichu, Light Screen!"

Marshtomp's Mud Shot was cut in half by the Light Screen, allowing May to retaliate with Quick Attack even though it only did minimal damage. Brendan's smirk grew as his Water-type eventually knocked the Electric-type out.

"I thought you'd been training May,"

"I'll show you just how much we've been training." May retorted, releasing her first partner.

"Bulk Up, then Double Kick!"

Combusken speedily used Bulk Up twice before Marshtomp could land an attack, going head to head with as Marshtomp used Take Down. May couldn't even see Combusken as she sent kicks to any part of her opponent that she could reach, enduring all the hits she took in return. Both were breathing hard by the time they separated.

"Mud Shot Marshtomp!"

"Dodge and use Peck!"

The Flying-type attack did a decent amount of damage, the Mud Shot missing completely. Combusken followed up with shift Double Kicks, all but reading May's mind.

"Marshtomp!" This time it was Brendan who ran onto the battlefield, kneeling beside his collapsed partner.

"Is he okay?" May joined them, patting Combusken once on the back in thanks.

Brendan glanced up, "He will be,"

Nodding, May extended her hand to help him up after he returned his Pokémon. "That was a good battle."

"But now I can't take you on that date." Brendan replied glumly.

"Did you have anything planned?" May inquired curiously.

Brendan glanced away uncomfortably. "No, but I thought maybe we could go for milkshakes."

May smiled despite herself. "That sounds nice, we still can if you want."

"Sure,"

Twenty minutes later, their Pokémon taken care of, they claimed a table at a small café. Hoenn's hot sun glared down at them, but this didn't disturb the duo. May played with her straw, her vanilla milkshake already half demolished.

"You know, when I first met you, I thought you were just some nerd in a lab." Brendan glanced at her in surprise. "But," she continued before he could reply. "Today I realized I was wrong to have assumed as much, I'm sorry."

"That's okay," Brendan smiled, gently squeezing her free hand. "I though you were a guy before we met."

May laughed at the memory. "Least you weren't the type to be offended at a girl beating you." When he'd questioned her gender, her first thought was that he was one of those guys, the ones who got all elitist when a girl beat them at anything.

"So where are you to next?"

Brendan released her hand, staring at something just over her shoulder. "I want to study Pokémon in other regions."

"But?"

"My dad might need me,"

"Did you try talking to him about it? I'm sure he'd understand."

Brendan shook his head, "I don't want to disappoint him. What are your plans?"

May stared at him a second before dropping her gaze. "Well, I'm Champion so I have to stay here."

"You love traveling though." Brendan protested. "Can't you get the previous Champ to take it back for a while?"

"Steven is busy with his research in Kalos on Mega evolution. You know how much he loves stone research."

"What about Sidney, Glacia or Phoebe?" Brendan pressed, referring to the champions before Steven.

May shook her head, "They're training in different regions, and Sidney is retired."

"Have you tried contacting Drake?"

Drake was the last Champion before Steven, a self-title "Dragon Master".

"No," May replied softly.

Brendan took a sip of his chocolate milkshake, "If you want to leave for a new region, you should,"

May glared at him, "Take your own advice." she challenged.

They stared at each other for a few minutes, a silent battle of wills. However, this time May lost.

"If I talk to my dad, you have to call Drake."

"Fine," May relented, hating that he was right. She hated being stuck here. It was not what she'd signed up for. Whipping out her PokeNav, she called Drake, who took awhile to answer the phone but who also agreed to take back the champion title temporarily while May traveled.

Brendan copied her, walking away a few feet to discuss his desires with his dad. When he returned, his grin threatened to split his face in two.

"So?" May asked finally, stashing her PokéNav in her bag.

"I've decided to travel anyway. Leaving for Kalos in the morning."

"That's great!"

"What did Drake say?"

May grinned in response. "He'd take over for a while."

"Have you decided where you want to go next?"

May pondered it. "I've heard wonderful things about many of the regions, so it's hard to pick one."

"Why not come with me then? Kalos has something new called Performances you might like."

"Hm. It sounds familiar."

"It's where these people dress up with their Pokémon and put on a show. Kinda like Contests but without the battling."

May tilted her head then shrugged. "Sounds good to me I guess, not like I know what I want to do career wise yet anyway." Trying new things might help.

"That's the spirit." Brendan smiled.
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Word Count: 2,889

A/N: Hello!

So this was a random idea I had and became my first new work of 2017 :) hope you enjoyed it. Might enter it in the PokemonWatties in the one shot category. Anyway. May and Brendan had a four on four battle since this is based on the Emerald game, combined with some of AS/OR. They're about 13/14 in this so they still are trying to discover what they want to do with their lives. It was fun writing about one of my favorite Pokemon games, anyone who knows me knows how much I love the Hoenn region. Still have yet to play OR/AS but it seems just as fun as the first games. Comment your thoughts but no hate on this "ship". I didn't intent for it to be a romantic one shot so it has an open ended ending. They're still kids so really, they're a little young for that anyway. That's all for this author's note, remember to vote and comment if you liked this.

-CoordinatorIza out! ^_^