Journeying Through Johto

Chapter 1: Friends and Rivals

Hi everyone! So, this is my first ever fan fiction! I decided I wanted it to revolve mainly around my Pokemon otp, May and Drew. I always wished that the anime creators would make a separate series following May's journey through Johto but since it can't happen, I thought I would write my own version of it. I have a few reasons for writing this. First is that Pokemon holds a lot of nostalgia and memories for me and it's something I still love and I think will continue to love later on in life. The Advanced series is the one that I specifically really love because of the incredible storytelling and the character arcs that characters like May got and even side characters like Drew. As someone who enjoys analyzing the many facets of storytelling and writing, what the creators did with May's arc especially, really stood out to me. Hopefully I can do it justice in this story. Second, writing is one of my favourite things to do and it's also something I want to get better at so I think this would be a fun way to do that. Third, I want to spread some positivity and joy with my writing and I really hope I'm able to do that!

I posted this on fanfiction.net but I decided to post it here as well.

I appreciate anyone who decides to give this story a chance!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

Water swayed against the hull of the cruise ship in a soothing rhythm of push and pull. May stood on deck, her arms resting on the rail, her eyes unfocused from the gentle lull of the waves below. The sea air was moderately chilly and delicately brushed her hair, causing strands to tickle her face. She was lost in memories and thoughts and feelings of nostalgia and the passage of time. She was beginning something new. A new place and people and Pokemon. She reminisced about her journeys through Hoenn and Kanto. All the things she had learned, the people she had met, all that she had grown to love over that time had lead her here, on a ship to the Johto region. She thought of how far she had come and how far she would go.

She was almost surprised at herself for being so deeply contemplative about life. It was unusual for her to dwell on her life's greater purpose but she knew that her travels with Ash, Brock, and Max had really transformed her and the way she thought about life. True, she was still just as enthusiastic about travelling, probably even more so, than when she had first begun her journey, but now she had a path to follow and a passion to pursue as well.

Feeling refreshed and energized from the crisp sea breeze, May straightened and stretched. She turned from the gleaming face of the water to make her way to the cafeteria for lunch but stopped abruptly. A girl her age stood a few feet away, twirling one foot shyly around the other. She had short curly light blonde hair and ice blue eyes. She looked tentatively at May when she had turned, as though she had been waiting. Then, moving forward a little, she spoke.

"Hi! Um.. you're May Maple?" Her voice was soft and slightly nervous.

"I am," May nodded, smiling brightly.

"Wow, it's such an honour to meet you! You're such a great coordinator!"

"Thank you..... but I'm really not that great." May smiled sheepishly.

"Of course you are! You made it to the semi-finals in the Kanto Grand Festival! I'm Luna by the way," she held out a hand and May shook it.

"Are you a coordinator too?"

"I am," Luna said, a little shy, "But I've never made it that far. I didn't even make it to the quarter finals the second time."

"Oh, you've been in more than one Grand Festival?" May asked, a little surprised at why she was being treated as though she were leagues ahead. Luna nodded. "You must be really good too then!" May said excitedly.