Colress was sitting in a submarine, looking out into the water and smiling as he glanced down at his tablet.

During the entire incident with the Masked Man, he had let him do everything he wanted. He pretended to be obedient, but as always, it was all just an act. It was so easy.

He held up his tablet, reviewing the information he had managed to steal from Team Rocket's base, it was almost too easy.

"People are such predictable creatures," he murmured to himself, tapping through data logs filled with encrypted files. "Give them purpose, and they'll march right into your experiment without question."

As he scrolled through the folders, Colress's grin widened. "Oh, Giovanni, you old fool, you've been busy," he whispered, fingers dancing across the interface as he decrypted the data. "This… is artistry."

He shook his head and smiled, placing the tablet down on the table. Behind him, several vials of strange liquids shimmered faintly, DNA samples, genetic fragments, all things he had stolen from Team Rocket: from the Mewtwo experiment, to Ho-Oh and Lugia DNA, and even the Black Tyranitar.

Colress smiled to himself and leaned back, utterly unbothered. He'd taken all of this, and all he got was the equivalent of a slap on the wrist from Giovanni for working with the Masked Man, or rather, Pryce. It wasn't that he'd been told directly, but as a genius, Colress had figured out the Masked Man's true identity within a week of meeting him.

Now Colress was onto his next phase. Of course, he would still tell Ghetsis what he wanted to hear, or at least what Colress wanted to tell him. After all, he wasn't planning on giving him anything truly valuable. Keeping a power-hungry fool like Ghetsis content was the best course of action.

As for now, he was heading to Hoenn for his last piece. He had found documents indicating that "the beasts" were after the legendary Deoxys, and its DNA would be quite useful for his plans.

Once he had what he wanted, who cared what came next? He'd simply fade into the background. After all, he had no loyalty to Team Rocket, but he would let them think he did.

And if they ever found out? He wasn't worried. He had already prepared a contingency plan for that too: a document that would automatically be sent to the Boss, framing none other than Dr. Namba for everything. Colress wasn't worried in the slightest, and why would he be?

For now, he would sit back. It was all in the name of research. With his mind, he wasn't worried, nor would he ever be. He had everything under control, just the way he liked it.

–

{On the Road to Petalburg City}

After Ash took off running, May eventually couldn't keep up, she wasn't used to walking (or running) as much as Ash was. Eventually, Ash slowed down and offered her a bottle of water.

"You okay there, slowpoke?" Ash teased.

May was hunched over, hands on her knees, panting like she'd just run a marathon. "Do you… ever… stop?" she wheezed between breaths.

Ash just grinned and held out the bottle. "Guess not."

May glared up at him but still took the bottle, gulping down half of it before gasping for air. "You—huff—you're insane."

"Thanks, I try."

She gave him a glare that could have burned through steel. "That wasn't a compliment."

Ash shrugged, walking ahead again with his hands in his pockets. "Didn't sound like an insult either."

May groaned, tightening her ponytail before trudging after him. "How do you even do this? Do you have, like, infinite stamina or something?"

Ash gave her a blank look. "I want you to rephrase that right now, because even I don't take fruit that's that low-hanging."

May blinked, her face flushing bright red as she realized what he meant. "A-Ash!" she sputtered. "That's not what I meant!"

Ash just grinned wider, walking backward now with his hands behind his head. "Sure it wasn't."

"You—! Ugh!" May stomped her foot, but even she couldn't stop the corner of her mouth from twitching upward. "You're impossible."

"I've been told that before," he said easily, glancing over his shoulder at the dirt path ahead. "I told you, though, I only bully people I like."

May groaned again, muttering under her breath. "You're lucky you saved me, or I'd have already strangled you."

Ash slowed a little, glancing back at her with a grin that softened just a bit. "Yeah, but you didn't. So I'd say we're making progress."

May looked down, Torchic chirping softly in her arms. "...You're still making fun of me."

"Yup."

"Why?" she asked, looking up at him, almost like she needed an answer, like she needed to know Ash wasn't just being mean to her because he could.

Ash stopped for a moment. He sighed, mentally slapping himself in the head. He was still used to teasing Misty, Yellow, even Green, they knew when he teased them, he never meant it in any way other than to play around.

But May hadn't. They'd literally been traveling together for two days, while with the other three, he'd done it for two years. And unlike Misty, who could get angry, or Green, who could tease him back, May wasn't like that. She was more… not as sensitive as Yellow, but still her own unique kind of soft.

And the way Ash had been acting, it was kind of like bullying, even if he meant it in a good way. He did care about May, so he knew he couldn't keep going like that. He sighed again, knowing he at least owed her an explanation.

"Because if you're arguing with me, you're not thinking about last night."

May blinked, looking up in surprise. "...What?"

Ash didn't look at her right away. He just scratched the back of his neck and kept walking, the sunlight flickering through the trees as the wind rustled overhead, "You were shaking last night. I figured if I kept you annoyed enough, you wouldn't have time to think about it."

May stared at him for a second, caught off guard. She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Torchic tilted her head, chirping softly.

Ash looked back with a half-smile, not his usual teasing grin, but something smaller, "Guess I overdid it a bit, huh?"

May hugged Torchic a little tighter, then looked down. "...No. It's okay. I just didn't realize you were—" she hesitated, trying to find the right word, "—doing that for me."

Ash rubbed the back of his neck, his smile a little sheepish. "Yeah, well… don't tell anyone. I've got a reputation to keep." He winked.

May laughed quietly despite herself. "You? Reputation? Since when?"

"Since forever," Ash replied, feigning pride. "I'm a professional pain in the butt. Ask anyone."

"I don't think that's something to brag about," May said, rolling her eyes, but the tension in her voice was gone now.

Ash chuckled, then glanced over at her more seriously for a moment. "Look… I know it was rough last night. You did good, though. Really. You didn't freeze up, you protected Torchic, you kept calm. That's not easy, especially when it's the first time something like that happens."

"So…" Ash continued as he looked back at May and smiled. "I'm proud of you."

May felt her chest tighten at that. She didn't know what to say. No one had really told her that before, not like that. Not like it meant something. "Thanks," she said softly.

Ash just shrugged with a grin. "Hey, I told you already," he said, leaning back on his hands as they reached a small clearing to take a break. "I only bully the people I like."

May turned toward him, trying to glare but failing when a smile tugged at her lips. "Then I must be your favorite person ever."

Ash pretended to think, tilting his head. "Mmm… top five, maybe."

"Top five!?" May gasped, feigning offense. "Who's above me!?"

Ash grinned like a fox. "Can't say. Classified information."

"Oh, come on!" May pouted, sitting down beside him. "I deserve to know!"

"Nope. After all, you hate me, don't you?" Ash said, going back to his mock-hurt tone.

May blinked at him, her mouth falling open. "I—I don't hate you!"

Ash gasped dramatically, clutching his chest like she'd wounded him. "Oh no, my poor heart. It can't take this sudden change of affection."

"Ash!" May groaned, throwing a twig at him. He just tilted his head to the side, dodging the stick, still smiling.

"Hey, I'm just saying, you yell at me every five minutes. Sounds like hate to me."

"I yell at you because you deserve it!" she said, pointing accusingly.

"Yeah, yeah," Ash said, standing back up and dusting off his jacket. "I know. You hate me."

"I never said—!"

"Yup, total hatred. Can't stand me." He started walking ahead again, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk. "It's okay, I'll live somehow."

"Oh, you—!" May jumped up, hugging Torchic tighter as she ran after him. "Get back here and let me not hate you!"

Ash looked back, laughing as he broke into a jog. "Nope! Too late! You said it!"

May started running after him. "I didn't say anything!"

"That's exactly what someone who secretly hates me would say!" Ash called back, turning and breaking into a sprint.

May narrowed her eyes. "Oh no you don't, we are not doing this again!" She pushed herself a little bit faster and wrapped her arms around Ash's waist, grabbing him.

"Ha! I've got you! Now you better stop running, idiot!" May said in victory.

Ash just looked back at her and smirked. "Well, guess I finally got that thank you, huh? See? It wasn't that hard now, was it?"

May blinked a few times, trying to process what Ash just said, then slowly looked down and realized… yeah, she was technically hugging Ash.

May's eyes went wide as she realized what she was doing. Her arms were still looped around him, her cheek brushing lightly against his back. Torchic chirped between them in protest, squished but too lazy to really care.

"W-wait—!" May stammered, immediately letting go and stepping back like she'd touched a live wire. "That's no, that wasn't—!"

Ash turned halfway, his grin softening into something teasing but not cruel. "Relax, May. I didn't say I minded."

Her face went crimson. "You—! I wasn't hugging you, I was stopping you from running off again!"

"Sure," Ash said, folding his arms behind his head again, looking entirely too smug. "Stopping me with kindness. Classic move."

She crossed her arms, trying to scowl but mostly just hiding her fluster. "You're lucky I'm too tired to deal with you right now."

Ash looked over his shoulder as he started walking again, still grinning. "Guess that means I win."

May groaned loudly. "You're such an idiot."

"Wow, how mean. I'll have you know I think really hard about my teasing," Ash said easily. Then, a little softer, "Besides, you smiled. So I'm calling that a win."

May blinked, her scowl melting a bit. "…You noticed that?"

He didn't answer right away. He just kept walking ahead. "'Course I did. I told you, I pay attention to my friends."

"Really? You really do all that?" May asked.

"Yeah, I told you, back with Yellow, I helped her find what she wanted to do. Remember what a nervous mess she was in school? Imagine what I had to deal with on the road. But even still, I helped her. And I'd do it all over again, for any one of you." Ash kept walking ahead as he spoke.

May tilted her head, watching him. "And who looks after you then?"

Ash stopped a little. "I, errr…well, Pikachu and Vee, duh," he said almost defensively.

May narrowed her eyes. "You know that's not really an answer."

"Ahhhh…" Ash started, tilting his head away.

"Ash?" May squinted, crossing her arms.

"Oh look, there's Petalburg! Guess we're here. Okay, that's enough bonding for today. Let's go, I've still got to embarrass you in front of your parents and corrupt your little brother into my number-one fan," Ash said as he turned and ran toward Petalburg.

"Hey, wait a minute! We aren't done here!" May yelled as she ran after him. Pikachu, Vee, and Torchic were left behind, exchanging glances before shrugging and trotting after them.

—

{A while later}

Ash and May reached the Gym. If it weren't for the Hoenn Region Gym sign hanging at the door, Ash would've thought it was just a large but otherwise ordinary family house.

"Here we are, home," May said, putting her hands on her hips and looking at the Gym-house with a smile.

"So, you ready to go in?" Ash asked.

"Absolutely not!" May said, keeping the same smile on her face.

"Yooo, same," Ash nodded. "You get used to it. So which part are you stressed about, seeing them, or the part where last night your call got cut off and you didn't even text them this morning to say everything was fine?"

"...Yes…" May mumbled.

"Yeah, figured," Ash said, shaking his head. "Look, I know you're probably worried about telling them, but start with what you do know. The power at the Pokémon Center went out. If they ask why, tell them what you're ready to say. Take it from me, keeping secrets just builds up, but forcing yourself to say something you're not ready to can be worse."

May looked at Ash, then took a moment. "You sound like you have experience."

"In my line of work? Please. There are things I'm still terrified to tell my mom," Ash said with a grin. "So just take a deep breath, and remember, I'm right here for support, alright?"

May nodded and took a breath. "Okay… let's do this."

She walked up to the door and raised her hand to knock. After a moment, they heard a woman's voice call, "Coming!" Then, after another moment, the door opened and they saw May's mother, Caroline, wiping her hands with a towel.

When she saw May, her eyes lit up. "May! You're back!"

"Mom!" May's face brightened as she rushed forward. Caroline was there in an instant, arms wide open, wrapping her daughter in a tight hug.

"Oh, thank goodness you're okay! We were so worried after—"

"I'm fine, Mom, really," May said, her voice muffled against her shoulder. "I… um, the power in the Pokémon Center went out. I'm really sorry I didn't text you guys…"

"Oh, it's okay, I'm just happy you're safe. Oh, your father will be here in a moment, he was just getting some things ready." She smiled, then looked past her daughter to the boy standing nearby, Pikachu perched on his shoulder and Vee trotting happily beside him.

"And who's this young man?" Caroline asked.

May turned. "Oh! This is Ash. Remember, I told you a friend from Kanto was coming? Well, here he is!" She gestured toward him like she was presenting a prize.

Ash gave a wave and his best smile. "Hi, ma'am. It's lovely to meet you. May's said so many nice things about you, though it's hard to believe you're her mother. I thought you were her sister."

May rolled her eyes and elbowed Ash in the side as Caroline chuckled at the smooth comment, shaking her head. "Oh, my, you really are a charmer, aren't you?"

Ash rubbed the spot where May elbowed him. "Heh, I try to be polite. I always thought first impressions were the most important ones."

May muttered under her breath, "Yeah, and then he ruins it five seconds later."

"I heard that!" Ash said, pointing dramatically, which only made Caroline laugh harder.

Just then, a familiar booming voice came from deeper inside the house. "Caroline? Who's at the door?"

Before anyone could answer, Norman appeared from the hall, a towel slung over his shoulder. When he saw May, his eyes widened and he smiled. "May! You're home!"

"Dad!" May said, and she was in his arms next, hugging him tightly.

"It's good to see you safe, sweetheart," Norman said warmly, before glancing up at the new face standing just behind her. "And this must be your friend from Kanto?"

Ash gave another smile and wave. "Yes, sir. Ash Ketchum. It's an honor to meet you."

Norman nodded approvingly, extending a hand. "It's a pleasure. And I assume I have you to thank for our daughter coming back in one piece, so thank you."

"Hey! Why do you think that? I can take care of myself perfectly fine!" May huffed, crossing her arms and pouting.

Caroline leaned in, smiling slyly. "Hey, May… what happened to your bike?"

May froze. "Ahhh… well, you see… heh-heh…"

"It was my pleasure," Ash cut in, knowing full well May was giving him the look to help her. He didn't even need to glance back to see it, he just kept playing along and shook Norman's hand. "It was really no problem, though. We're friends, after all."

Norman nodded, and just as he was about to say something, another voice suddenly shouted from the hallway—

"No way!"

Everyone turned as Max came running in, nearly tripping over his own feet as he slid to a stop in front of Ash, eyes wide and sparkling behind his glasses. "You're Ash Ketchum! The Ash Ketchum! You were in the Silver Conference!"

"Hey," Ash waved casually. "That's me. You must be Max, May told me about you."

"Wow! Ash Ketchum knows my name! This is the best day ever!" Max exclaimed. "I must be dreaming, if I am, I don't want to wake up!"

"Ah, so that's where I remember the name from," Norman said, snapping his fingers in realization. "You're the winner of both the Indigo League and the Silver Conference."

"That's me," Ash said with a grin, "but I try not to gloat. Fame gets pretty annoying, not gonna lie."

Norman just nodded, understanding since he was a Gym Leader, he knew what Ash meant.

Meanwhile, May was off to the side, watching Max gush over Ash with a red face and crossed arms. "See? This is exactly what I didn't want."

"What?!" Max turned to her. "You told me you knew Ash Ketchum from Kanto! I thought you were lying!"

"I wasn't lying!" May protested.

"You always exaggerate, May! You said you two went to school together!"

"We did!"

"Then how come you never said he was that Ash Ketchum?"

"Maybe because when we were in school he wasn't famous!" May blurted out. "He was just my classmate!"

Ash blinked, raising an eyebrow with a crooked grin. "Just your classmate, huh? I thought we were friends."

May froze, realizing how that sounded. "I—! That's not what I meant!"

"No, it's okay. You just hate me. I'll get over it. It's fine," Ash sighed dramatically.

"I don't hate you!" May said again. "How many times are you gonna keep saying that!?"

"Until it stops being funny," Ash replied completely seriously.

Caroline chuckled softly behind her hand. "Oh dear, sounds like you two go way back."

Ash slipped his hands into his pockets. "Yeah, you could say that. May used to copy my notes all the time."

"I did not!" May shouted, glaring at him.

"Sure you didn't," Ash said with a shrug, eyes twinkling with mischief. "You just happened to turn in homework that looked exactly like mine every time."

"That was one time!"

"Twice."

"ASH!"

Norman and Caroline exchanged an amused glance as Max laughed out loud. "Wow, May, you were that kind of student?"

"Max!" May groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "I swear I'm never bringing you anywhere again."

Ash snickered and leaned slightly toward Norman, whispering, "See? I told you she hates me."

Norman chuckled. "I can see that. Though from what I'm hearing, it sounds more like friendly banter."

May peeked through her fingers, glaring at both of them. "You're supposed to be on my side, Dad!"

"Hey, I'm neutral," Norman said with a smile. "But your mom seems to like him already."

Caroline folded her arms, smiling warmly. "Well, he's polite, charming, and he clearly cares about you, May. What's not to like?"

"Mom!"

Ash held back a laugh and gave another innocent smile. "You're too kind, ma'am. I just try to look out for my friends."

Caroline's smile softened. "And that's exactly the kind of person I like having around my daughter. Definitely a good influence on her."

May's blush deepened. She tried to glare at him. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"Oh, 100%," Ash said immediately, making May groan into her hands.

Before she could respond, Max tugged at Ash's sleeve, eyes sparkling again. "Ash! You've gotta tell me what battling was like! How did it feel? Oh, what about when you fought Ethan, or Gary, or—or—" Max continued trailing off excitedly.

May huffed. "Wait a minute, why is this about Ash suddenly? Weren't we all gonna celebrate that I finally got my Pokémon?" she said, holding up Torchic.

Max just looked back. "Oh, really? A Torchic? Okay, but Treecko is way cooler than Torchic," he said shamelessly.

"You know, I also got a Torchic," Ash said.

Max immediately continued, "And that's why I've always said Torchic is my favorite starter and the one I'm going to pick when I'm old enough," he said, still shamelessly.

Norman raised a brow, smirking at his son's sudden change of opinion. "Oh, really? You seemed pretty set on Treecko last week."

Max crossed his arms. "That was before I knew Ash had one. Now it's clearly the best choice!"

"Ash, I said don't corrupt my brother," May sighed, shaking her head.

"Hey, I can't help it," Ash said playfully.

Caroline chuckled as she patted May's shoulder. "Don't worry, I think your Torchic is cute, and she's perfect to take care of you."

"Thanks, Mom. At least someone cares," May huffed.

But just as Caroline was about to offer to make lunch, there was a knock at the door, a small, almost shy knock.

"Is that who I think it is? Is it my boy?" Ash said, already smiling.

Norman walked over to the door and opened it. Standing there was a familiar green-haired, skinny boy, Wally.

"H-hello… is May here yet?" Wally asked softly.

Ash went over to him and pulled Wally into a gentle hug, not too hard, since he knew Wally was built like a piece of paper. "Wally! There you are, it's great to see you, buddy!"

"O-oh, Ash, you're here too," Wally said in surprise, though he gave a small smile. "I-it's good to see you too. Um… is May here?"

"Hey, Wally!" May peeked her head out from behind Norman, grinning and waving. "Great to see you too, and I've got your special delivery right here!" She held up the bag Brendan had given her.

"O-oh, okay," Wally said as Ash let him go. He reached out and took the bag. "T-thank you!"

"Well, come on, let's see what Pokémon you got," Ash said, leaning down as May leaned in on his other side.

"R-right," Wally stammered as he reached in and pulled out the Poké Ball. He looked at it, then took a deep breath before pressing the button. In a flash of light, a Treecko appeared, looking around curiously before gazing up at Wally and tilting its head.

Wally's breath caught. The small green Pokémon blinked up at him, tail swishing, eyes bright with curiosity. For a moment, nobody said a word, the only sounds were Torchic's faint chirps and the quiet hum of the house.

Then, Wally's expression softened into a trembling smile. "H-hi there," he said quietly, crouching down to meet Treecko's gaze. "My name's Wally."

Treecko blinked once, then crossed its arms with a calm, confident chirp. "Tree…cko."

Ash grinned, folding his arms. "Heh, looks like you two are already a perfect match."

May nodded with a smile. "That's so cute! Treecko really suits you, Wally."

Wally reached out his hand slowly, and Treecko tilted its head before pressing its small claws into Wally's palm. "I-I can't believe it," Wally whispered. "I finally have a Pokémon of my own…"

"Yep! So, you ready to do everything? What Pokémon are you gonna catch first?" Ash asked.

"I—er…" Wally lowered his head. "I… don't know how to catch a Pokémon."

"Well, it can't be that hard, right?" May tilted her head. "Just throw the ball at a weakened Pokémon and that's it, right?"

Now, you have to remember, May took classes on being a Coordinator, not on catching Pokémon. And if you think catching Pokémon was common knowledge, then I direct you to the original-series Ash, when he tried to catch a Pokémon.

Norman shook his head. "Yeah, it's a little more complicated than that."

"Oh… really," May muttered.

"Well then," Ash said, clapping his hands together, "there's only one thing to do." He reached out and grabbed May and Wally around the shoulders, pulling them close. "I'll teach you your crash course on catching Pokémon!"