Man in the Mirror

Chapter 5: Heartbreaker

"You have all your food and clothes, right?" May mothered her brother as they stood on a dirt path. The scene was reminiscent of when they traveled as children but without Brock for added supervision.

"Yes, for the third time May. You know, you didn't have to bring me all the way out here. I didn't mind going out alone," Max sighed. He didn't like feeling pampered by his older sister.

"I know, but I wanted to be with you a little longer. Is that so wrong?" May frowned at him. He was the only familiar face she'd seen in a while, and separating from him even after a day wasn't easy.

Max sighed with an apologetic smile, "No, it's not. I'm sorry. I should be more grateful we got to spend this extra time together. Thanks for receiving me, sis."

May's frown turned into a warm smile when Max recognized their time together was precious. "You're always welcome to visit me, little brother," May inched closer to him for a hug.

Her younger sibling raised an eyebrow during the embrace. "Little? I'm going to be taller than you the next time we see each other," Max chuckled as he wrapped his arms around his sister.

"Then I'll savor this moment," May released a soft giggle. She squeezed Max a bit harder as payback for his witty remark.

Max regretted not saving his comment until after May hugged him, but he managed to speak even if May was crushing his lungs. "I love you too, May," Norman's son groaned.

When May let go, she beamed at him, "I'm going to miss you, Max. Take care on your journey. Have lots of fun with your Pokémon."

"I'll miss you too, May. You do the same. Don't stress yourself out too much. Promise to call us more often. Mom, Dad, and I worry about you," Max told the sapphire-eyed brunette.

May flashed a sheepish grin and acknowledged his remark with a nod. She grabbed Max's head and kissed it, "I love you, goodbye Max."

Her brother slightly blushed at the gesture. He wondered if she'd ever stop treating him like a baby. Max adjusted his glasses with a warm face. "Normally, I'd complain about you babying me like that, but I'll let it slide. So long, May," Max smiled at her one last time as he turned around and began walking north.

The brunette had her arms stretched forward with hands clasped like a damsel in waiting, but she wasn't waiting for anyone. No one would come after Max left. The only joy brought to her in the past 24 hours was leaving. "Goodbye," May mumbled as her eyes sparkled. Nonetheless, she remained grateful that they at least got a day to spend time together. She'd never take that for granted.

Simultaneously, in Viridian City, a purple-haired male had just set foot in Kanto. He scanned the area with focused eyes. He flashed a smirk when he saw a sign with an arrow indicating the direction to Pallet Town.

I should probably stop at the Pokémon Center before anything, the black-eyed trainer believed as he walked through Viridian. "I wonder if he's gotten home yet," the stern male murmured. He pulled out one of his Pokéballs to examine it. He made the long journey with one motive. To challenge the runner-up of the Kalos League.

"May, Wallace is expecting you inside Valor Stadium," one of the agents informed her.

"Please let him know I'm on my way inside," May requested politely. Her agents were quickly on it as they hurried off. Her bodyguards began to surround her as they approached the stadium's entrance, which got swarmed by fans.

Fans became ecstatic when May came into view. They complimented her natural good looks and fashion sense. The renowned coordinator wore a red and white dress with black gloves that reached her elbows. It was dubbed her "anniversary outfit" by fans because she debuted it the first year since she won the Johto Grand Festival. People dubbed her the Princess of Hoenn for a reason, and it was because she always looked like one. May waved to as many adoring fans as she could on the way in, but she sadly had no time to give autographs.