Chapter 1: Initiation

May stood silently in line in the dark room full of her fellow agents ready to hear the announcement that all of them had been called to, she had a feeling that this is what she had been trained for.

"Attention honorary members and special agents." A man at on the stage spoke who May recognised as the organisation's leader 'Fane'.

"You have all proven your self's great assets to our team. With your help our final goal is within sight." The Fane continued.

May allowed herself to smile slightly, she could finally give back to her home region of Hoenn and stop the advance of the greed filled minds that threatened it.

"By using the power of the ancient Pokémon Groudon we can raise new areas of land and cultivate said land creating an untouched ecosystem for the threatened Pokémon of Hoenn. Together we will spawn a new age of balance and peace that all other regions will look up too." Fane spoke proudly.

May stared up at the stage, the last few months see had trained hard in order to assist Fane and everyone else around her, now she was ready to put her skills to the test.

"No longer will we stand by and watch as corrupt people take what they want from Pokémon and give nothing back, no longer will we see entire wild regions wiped off the map, no longer will we see hundreds of misplaced Pokémon who have nowhere to go. As of now we stand and fight for those who can't fight back, we stand to clear the wrong doings of humanity and deliver those who oppose us to justice." Fane declared.

"As of now, New Magma, shall rise from the depths."

Everyone in the room could feel the power in his words and all knew the importance of the role they had.

"Your orders will be given to you through the admins directed by Captain Gregson." Fane motioned to the large man on his right.

"Perform your tasks to the letter and above all, keep this organisation secret." Fane finished and then walked off stage.

The admins started talking amongst the agents giving them details on the various missions, May waited patiently to be assigned but to her surprise Captain Gregson himself walked up to her holding a mission brief.

"Agent May Maple." The Captain spoke with a stern voice.

"As you were the top of your class you will be assigned an important mission, you will also be working solo." Gregson told May as he passed her the envelope and data chip.

May scanned the paper quickly noting she would be targeting a number of police stations as well as other buildings.

"I'll be honest with you Maple." Gregson voice snapping May back to the conversation.

"I wouldn't of handed an eighteen year old girl like yourself such an important mission, but since we had so few members ready to go into the field and I can no longer serve like I did in the military we don't have much choice." The Captain stared down at her.

"Sir, I will not fail you or bring disgrace to the name of New Magma." May spoke firmly.

"Pfft we'll see." Gregson hissed as he walked away from her.

May never liked Gregson he was brutal in training but May handled that easily. It was his behaviour towards women that she disliked and she knew he didn't like the idea of her being top of the class. May pushed this aside and concentrated on her mission, each target went from town to town which would make it easier for her to move around without anyone getting suspicious. As May was still a top coordinator only now she used that title as a cover to disguise her true motives.

May knew the end result of the plan was to control Groudon so they could raise more land for the Pokémon in Hoenn. Though she knew Groudon would not do so willingly she was smart enough to realise New Magma would most likely be controlling Groudon by force. May had weighed up these odds and knew deep down any suffering Groudon went through would be worth it for the rest of the Pokémon.

"Sometimes a few have to suffer for the betterment of the many." May told herself for a hundredth time.

She believed in what she had to do, she believed in the organisation and with all the wheels in place she believed that nothing could stop her.

Meanwhile arriving at a dock in Litteroot town a Pokémon trainer stepped off the boat and looked over a familiar region. As Pikachu jumped on his back Ash Ketchum happily scanned the dock remembering the last time he came to Hoenn.

"I don't suppose you remember last time we were hear do you pal?" Ash addressed Pikachu.

"You were in a bad way with all that electricity in your system, good thing nothing that bad happened this time around." Ash got a nod from Pikachu.

With that the two partners made their way to the nearest phone wanting to catch up with some old friends. Ash dialled the number for the Petalburg city gym hoping May or Max would be home.

"Petalburg city gym how may I help you." Answered May and Max's mother Caroline.

"Hi Caroline it's me Ash you remember?" Ash asked cheerfully.

"Oh Ash of course I remember though I almost didn't recognise you now that your all grown up." Ash smiled at Caroline's comment noticing Norman walking in.

"Good morning Ash and congratulations on getting your position in the Elite 4." Norman spoke proudly.

"Well I'm only a stand-in in case one of them can't battle but thanks." Ash replied happily.

"Sorry I didn't congratulate you sooner I know it's been over a year, but anyway what can I do for you?" Norman asked.

"I just arrived back in Hoenn and I was wondering if May or Max were around?" Ash responded.

"Well Max is currently in Sinnoh training for the league over there." Caroline answered.

"To bad, what about May?" Ash asked.

"Well that's a good question." Norman answered frowning slightly making Ash give a puzzled look.

"You see Ash we've had little contact with May for a while now." Caroline began. "And whenever we do get through to her she doesn't talk very much at all."

"Needless to say we are a little worried about her." Norman added.

"I see why do you think that is." Ash inquired.

"No idea, she still travels around Hoenn but never seems to compete in any contests, it's all very strange and out of character." Caroline looked away.

"What can I do to help?" Ash asked suddenly.

Norman and Caroline looked up at Ash, seeing the serious look on his face. "Well last we heard she was heading to Rustboro city, but we don't know if she'll still be there." Norman answered.

"That's fine if she's there or not I'll find her and see what's happening with her." Ash responded.

Caroline was the first to reply. "Thank you Ash that really means a lot to us that you'd go out of your way like that."

"Its fine really May and all of you are friends and I want to help out in any way I can." Ash gave Caroline a smile.

"Thanks a million sport but one thing." Norman paused. "May might not be exactly as you remember her." The older man spoke firmly.

"Thanks for the heads up I'll get going right away." Ash nodded to the couple before hanging up the phone and began jogging up the path.

"Even if she has changed I'm sure May is still my friend. I just hope I can find her." Ash thought to himself as he and Pikachu headed towards Rustboro city.