Hello! Welcome to a new drabble collection, this one focused on an under-appreciated pairing: ShauntalMarshal, aka Tattooshipping. I worked on this drabble collection with another fellow author, who wishes to remain anonymous for the time being, so the drabbles are the result of both of our writing. This collection was also written for The Alphabet Prompts Challenge on the Pokemon Fanfiction Challenges forum.

The POV will switch between Shauntal and Marshal each drabble (though occasionally there will be an exception). The collection itself will update erratically. All the challenge drabbles are done, but most still need editing/proofreading to be ready for posting. The drabble timelines aren't necessarily going to be in order either.

Well, I should shut up before my A/N gets longer than the drabble XP. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If I owned Pokemon, there would be way more fanart of Tattooshipping. As of now, it's almost nonexistant...you guys! We need more fanart of these two! XD

The Story of Who We Are

"Fiction is obligated to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't." -Mark Twain

Drabble 1: Aurora

Shauntal remembered her first meeting with Marshal only because she would fall in love with him later. She had been reading a novel in the main chamber when the newest Elite Four member stomped in, declaring how he would be the proud disciple of the amazing Alder. Shauntal found this amusing, because the boy obviously wasn't aware of the Champion's constant absences. She didn't feel the need to point that out and ruin the newcomer's aspirations, however, and went on reading. The boy didn't even say hello to her as he passed by, probably not realizing she was also an Elite. This lack of recognition Shauntal was used to, and in fact preferred. It made it easier to be alone and get some writing done. Or even just enjoy her travels in peace.

It didn't take long for the new boy, Marshal, to realize that Alder was an elusive and fleeting as an aurora. Frustrated, he ranted to whoever would listen. Since Caitlyn utterly ignored him and Grimsley knew how to slip away at convenient moments, that usually left him with Shauntal. She didn't always appreciate it, especially when he burst in while she was in the middle of training or writing, but sometimes it was kind of nice to talk to someone so different. It was good story material if nothing else.

They often had arguments over morals. Action versus thought. Reality versus fantasy. Goku versus Vegeta (which was actually a lot more morally complicated than expected). And, despite disagreeing with him on so many subjects, Shauntal began to consider Marshal a friend. This felt a bit odd. Not because she didn't have friends (she had many in fact, not counting her Pokemon) but because she never had a friend like Marshal before. It made her reconsider many things.

Eventually, after the legendary dragon Zekrom tore through the castle that frightening day, when she saw Marshal lying pale and unconscious on the floor, it made her reconsider reality. And love, as she desperately kissed him, and ended up kissing him awake.

"...Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?" Marshal mumbled groggily.

Shauntal just laughed and hugged him tight. They paid no heed to the other wide-eyed Elite and staff, who slowly gathered around them like moths to a light.

IIIIII

So what do you think so far? Feel free to let me know!