AN: Sorry, I kind of needed a break from writing in general. Plus, I'm starting to write original work/ trying to make money (so like you know, that will have to take priority). Enjoy!

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04. Mirror. 1114
2 June 2017

May was in awe by everything Alola had to offer, including the numerous shopping complexes.

It was absolutely incredible, Melemele island having so many shopping districts. She was there with Ash and his classmates. Well, mostly with Mallow, Lillie and Lana, the girls being the only ones invested and fully accepting of the mission at hand, which is finding May a new outfit for Alola. Especially since she was planning on staying for longer – indefinitely.

The boys in question decided to go off and do their own thing at the mall, most likely trying to find more pokemon related items to buy.

The girls would join them of course, just as soon as they found something for May – because they made sure they kept their priorities straight.

May's eyes gleamed with admiration for the numerous racks of clothes that crowded the different stores, wondering how she could pick something when there are rows upon rows of different clothes. She would have to come here before she left, knowing this would be a perfect place to find a great contest outfit or ten.

"This place is paradise," May said blissfully. The girls nodded, sighing in content as they looked at the cute outfits waiting to be tried on – they were practically calling to them.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Mallow asked, a big grin plastered on her face.

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May sighed, watching the deep frown form in her reflection, wondering why she couldn't find something worthwhile. It was really frustrating, truly.

"Oh man, having so many to choose from can be a real bummer," May said, feeling less enthusiastic about this mission. It had already been over an hour. She was getting hungry.

"Hey, cheer up, May! We'll find you something," Mallow tried to encourage. Lillie nodded, continuing to look for a cute outfit as well.

"We have to find something stylish," Lillie thought aloud.

"But also easy to move around in and comfortable," Lana suggested, her top priority being comfort and something physically okay.

"But something that obviously fits the weather," Mallow chimed in.

As May continued to look, she happened to come across green shorts and a light-yellow shirt with white-washed flower imprints.

"Hey, what do you think of this?" May asked, presenting the outfit to the girls.

"Wow, that looks so cute. I think that would be a nice outfit on you," Lillie said, holding the rim of her white hat. Lana nodded in agreement.

"Try it on!" Mallow urged, pushing her into the dressing room.

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Once May got ready, she looked herself up and down, absolutely adoring the look.

"Wow, I kind of like it!"

"Show us!" Mallow called from the other side of the dressing room.

When May stepped out, all three girl's faces glowed with admiration.

"That is so cute!"

"Adorable!"

"I like it!"

It looked like all three approved. Mallow thought for a moment, tapping her index finger to her chin. "Last thing, though," she began, soon grabbing a red hat and handing the hat to May.

May stared down at the red hat in her hand.

"The hat isn't too much?"

"Not at all. It really suits you!" Mallow reassured, adoring it.

"Then I guess that's that!"

May nodded, eagerly heading to the cashier to get her new outfit.

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May frowned in the changing room, looking at her old red bandana and the new red hat.

It felt like she was moving on to something new. But she just wasn't sure if she was ready for that. Like she was becoming a new person. She wasn't sure if she particularly liked the new person she was going to be, if she should really give up this old bandana.

Looking at said bandana, it made her think of when she first became a trainer, when she discovered the world of pokemon, when she first met Ash…

May sighed, clenching onto her red bandana even tighter, knowing it was a big part of her identity, and feeling like she was letting it go in some way.

She jumped up from her seated position when she heard a few knocks.

"May, you there?" Ash questioned from the other side.

"A-Ash?" May gasped.

"Are you almost done? I heard you were just changing into the new outfit you bought?"

"Um, yeah, just give me a minute." When she heard the light okay, and a "Pika," from Pikachu, May hurried, placing the red hat over her russet hair. She looked at her reflection, smiling at herself before looking at the red bandana in her hand. She took a big breath, however, figuring it was now or never. It was time to move forward. She nodded to herself before she opened the door, walking over to where Ash and his classmates were.

"Ash?" May asked shyly.

"Yeah?" Ash asked, looking up from looking at pokeball keychains. His expression immediately changed. It went from a blank expression, to a happy one for May.

"Wow, I like the new outfit!" Ash complimented. May blushed, thanking him.

"Thanks, Ash."

"Hey, is that your red bandana?" Ash wondered, excited to see it. May nodded, a nostalgic feeling rising in her chest when she looked at the red cloth in her hand.

"That makes me think back to when we first met," Ash laughed. "You always wore that, right? Just like me and my hats," Ash said, tugging at the end of his own hat.

"Hey, you're right." May grinned, taking his hand and moving him to the mirror.

"What are you doing?" Ash questioned, raising an eyebrow. Pikachu looked to have a similar expression.

"Just look at us! We look so different now, don't we?" May giggled, seeing both of them in completely different clothes from when they first met. "It's been such a long time, it's crazy how much we changed."

"Also, how much hasn't changed, too," Ash reminded. May nodded in agreement, before she giggled, deciding to wrap her red bandanna around Pikachu.

"Pika?" Pikachu tilted his head.

"You can keep it, Pikachu. You're the reason why we even started traveling together, right?" May winked, thinking back to the very first time they met.

"Pika!" Pikachu thanked, Ash smiled, petting Pikachu's head before Pikachu jumped on May's shoulder, nuzzling her cheek. She looked in the mirror once more, thinking that she was glad not everything has changed.

"I'm glad we're still great friends, Ash," May said. Ash placed his hands behind his head, nodding in agreement.

"Me too, May!"

"Picture!" Rotomdex suggested, before snapping flashes of photos, the flash blinding Ash and making him fall on his butt.

All Pikachu and May could do was laugh, thankful they were all still together.

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AN: Gah, this one didn't come out how I wanted. ;_; I'm sorry. I will do better next time, promise! Welp, the Sun and Moon anime is finally picking up, and I need to try to, in a way, "catch up with it," in terms of the Pokemon Ash has. xD Don't worry, it's not going to be following the anime, however. I might do a few chapters of the school, but after that I think we're going to focus more on the challenges etc. (possibly). It will also be going to go into game territory afterwards (especially since I'm a add Hau and Either Foundation, more Team Skull, etc.). There will be a few time skips too to get to the juicy stuff.