The wind blew through May's hair as she flew atop her Flygon, Quake. She always loved the sky and how her worries and stress had washed away. May had finally climbed to the top, she had finally become champion. Chasing her dream for so long she forgot about how much she missed just getting there and now that there was nothing to fight for life was stagnant. Quake howled swaying and curling in the air and May screamed to the sky with joy. She put her arms up to touch the clouds as the swept through her fingers like a dreamy river. Everything was perfect but she still could feel a rock in her heart, she assumed to be hormones of becoming older.

"Alright Quake it's time to land boy, we better get some rest!" May said softly.

The Flygon shuddered happily and dived for the ground like a roller coaster. Before he had crashed he slowed down and hovered landing softly like a delicate Butterfree. The girl laughed in an unsure tone as if to be puzzled why she still does not feel complete. Returning Quake to his Pokéball May sighed climbing a giant tree she had called home. Typically it was a secret base and she had been staying away from her mother and father for awhile as she really needed some time to think. Her Pokémon and family were everything to her and she always had the highest respect and trust for them but she just needed space to think.

She crawled across the leaves and branches to a bed she had, above it was a hole in the tree top to gaze at the millions of bright stars above. Watching them twinkle and glitter in the night she began to feel hazy slipping into a dream.

******

May screamed awake suddenly drenched in sweat, above her hovered her six partners with horrified expressions. These nightmares would not go away, the ones where she was alone and stuck in a dark room she screamed and no one heard her she was all alone. Even though in waking life she was not alone, she felt trapped some how like there was something more. Staring above her she smiled at her Pokémon, Quake the Flygon, Pepper the Sceptile, Aaron the Aggron, Growler the Mightyena, Mary the Banette, and Spirals the Shiny Spinda. "There's nothing to worry about guys, it was just another dream" May replied with subtle confidence.

Pepper was not pleased with this and she grunted her displeasure as she knew better. "Okay maybe I'm just a little bit bored, we don't really have much left you know? I lived the dream and now I feel like it's all over" The girl admitted.

Growler then cocked his head and licked May's face; as she hung there still upset the Mightyena looked around for something to cheer her up. Thoughtfully he clawed at her pack and dug out a nifty Pokénav with pride in his eyes. May didn't know what the intention was but she soon realized that there was an event going down in Littleroot Town that her parents were hosting. It was a cooking festival and there were to be many berry pies and the likes. Her ocean colored eyes glittered with a glimpse of hope, maybe all they needed was something relaxing like this.

"You know what, let's do this it might be fun!" She cheered.

******

Archie had been interested in making his way to Littleroot Town all week long, it's been a long time since he has ever had a decent meal all the towns folk did not accept his presence and without real support he had been living on scraps. His stomach grumbled aggressively as he made his way, it was quite far as he had never actually been to Littleroot Town before had he no interest in the land very much. The long grass brushed against his legs as he trudged, anger swelled within him he wondered why he decided to walk in the first place. In order to clear his mind of his hunger he was reminded of that little scamp that had ruined his plans time after time awhile back. Archie had remembered that she was the daughter of Norman and he wondered if he would be noticed and be delivered a can of kick in the butt.

Thoughts raced through his head, he remembered the way her battle style impressed him and all the while enraged he enjoyed every battle. It's been a long time and Archie knew deep down he had to separate himself from the scamp, she was trouble and he felt too drawn to her like some sort of sick obsession. He remembered the day he stepped down from Team Aqua and apologized to her... her name was May, he managed to keep away not running into her anymore. Although a miss Archie was always far more passionate and giving up his dreams was difficult and it still enrages him.

Archie zoned back into the real world and noticed he had finally made it to this tiny town called Littleroot, it wasn't much to him, the former Team Aqua leader sincerely believed it needed more water. Making his way to the event Archie noticed a display of painted banners and beautifully made bouquets of flowers on tables with neatly tucked napkins. In his head he groaned he was not one to be of manners, and he did not understand how these things would work. There were plenty of bright inspired faces at this gathering and he could already smell pie, sweet berry pie. Quickening his pace he felt an excited longing for food but something soon stopped him dead in his tracks... it was him!

"Maxie!" Archie groaned.

******

"Oh no, it's you!" Maxie scowled in an impolite tone.

"Me? What are you doing here! Aye, I'm starving for good food and you happen to be here to ruin my day! You did this on purpose didn't ye'?" Archie growled in disgust.

"Excuse me but you're making a scene, I happen to enjoy the little things and thought I'd come to see what this was about. I had no intention of seeing you here."

"Whatever, I suggest you leave before things get grizzly!"

"You imbecile, maybe you should scuttle back into your cave!"

Maxie felt a deep pang of regret, he didn't believe his arch nemesis would appear at such an event. Archie was being shushed by the other attendees, and he quickly was seated right next to poor Maxie. His body stank of salt water and Maxie quickly became uncomfortable. Since Maxie was the more dignified leader he sat ignoring the scoundrel next to him waiting for the announcements while Archie pouted. Norman approached the quaint little stage they had set up for this day, his hair was slicked back and was obviously older than the two former leaders, Maxie stroked his chin who had this man reminded him of? He noticed his stature as strong and positive, with the same eyes he had seen previously, perhaps in his Team Magma days.

It finally clicked as he had a shock fly through his body, why Norman was May's father. The former Team Magma leader quickly became anxious but stayed proper, if he had known who he was surely he would be beaten out by his Slaking. The very thought made him shiver, but he knew he never meant to hurt May she just happened to always get in the way. He remembered the way she fought with pure determination it was wonderful and intriguing but in these memories he felt agitated as if something had bothered him. Maxie could never pin point these feelings and he always neglected them, bottling them inside himself.

While he was day dreaming Norman had finally finished his speech which he had not payed any attention to. Soon after Vigroth and Slaking began to help set the tables with banquets of glorious food with many different berry deserts. As soon as Maxie dusted himself off and properly stood something had startled the people as a helicopter like swooshing sound grew closer, and closer to the gathering. Everyone was now in awe as a shadow was cast before the crowd. Dust blew at his glasses and he tried his best to stay formal but became quickly flustered, on the other hand Archie had an excited dumbfounded expression on his face as if he was expecting Arceus to come down and grant him a wish.

"Oh my gosh it's May, the Champion!" A young girl screamed.

"May?" Archie and Maxie yelped at the same time.

******
END CHAPTER