Alright, first story I ever wrote so far, so feel free to ignore all the shit and mistakes I probably made. Still, some advices and criticism are welcome.

Thought of finally explaining how Xander and Xiao began dating, and with 's blessing, I am finally posting this story.
Xander, Team Pantheon © me
Xiao, Team Strike ©
Ms. Laura Gice ©
________________________________________________________________________


“I think I told you something, Gloria. Now get lost!! “ was all that Xander had to say to his now ex-girlfriend, somewhat short Glaceon who shot him with a furious look in her eyes.
“I beg your pardon? What makes you think you can just walk away?!“ she made a few steps towards him but stopped as he turned around and glared at her. “Oh let's see.... first of all, you blew a shitfit at that waitress in the restaurant because of “how she looked at me“, then you yell at my mom over the phone and call her a bitch, now you attack my friend and teammate?!! “ With that he points at Yun who stood up from the ground and wiped the ice from her shoulder, glaring furiously at Gloria. “I sure as hell ain't gonna tollerate some psychotic bitch trying to control me and my life!! It's over between us!“ With that, he turned to Yun and nodded. “Let's go.“ As they walked away, Gloria stood there, watching them as anger slowly built up in her. “FINE!!! I DONT FUCKING NEED YOU!!“ she shouted as tears rolled down her cheeks, turning around and walking away in another direction and shoving several kids that stood in her way. She didnt even hear them when they shouted back at her and complained.

Several weeks later, Xander was sitting under one of the trees on the campus, trying to focus on the game he was playing, but with little success. Junior year was closing to it's end, and he just lost a girlfriend. Or at least he thought of her like that for that short time they were together. At first, Gloria seemed like an ideal girl. Very attractive, skillful in battle, seemed like a nice girl, but a very few mons actually dared to ask her out. It was her who approached him during a night out in the local club, and after a short talk, he was practically fascinated by her. Not a long time later, they began dating, but that's where things went downhill and she had shown her true colors-manipulative, obsessed and overly jealous girl, with borderline psychopathic behavior. Xander tried to look in other direction and ignored advices from his friends to move away from her, but with time her behavior was becoming more and more irritating for him. He finally had enough of it when Gloria, out of the blue, attacked his friend and teammate Yun while he was talking to her in the hall. He was glad he finally got rid of a heavy burden, but there was something missing now. He sighed as he closed his handheld and put it in his bag, looking around. Sun was slowly setting down, and there were very few students outside.

“I guess I'll just go and train a bit....gotta clear out my head“, he thinks to himself as he stands up and picks up his bag, but as he turned around to leave, he bumped into someone and fell on his back.
“Ow!! Damnit....Why don't you watch where you-“ his words were cut off when he saw who's the person he bumped into. “.....s-sorry about that. You OK?“ He smiled at the girl sitting on the grass in front of him as she began to pick up her books that were scattered around after the impact. She looked at him and smiled back.
“Yeah, I'm OK....sorry about knocking you down“, she spoke with a slight japanese accent, possibly the sweetest voice he ever heard. “That's what happens when I rush... “
Xander slowly moved closer and took a few books.
“It's OK. Here, let me help you out...“ he hands them to her, not removing a smile off of his face all the time. She couldn't help but blush a little and look down as she took the books. “Thanks.“
He stood up and after wiping the dust off of himself, he offered her his hand. “Up you go“, he chuckled as he took his hand and he pulled her up.
He couldnt help but stare at her. A short Zangoose with two purple earrings on her left ear, patch of hair on her head that reminded him of Zeke's, only a bit smaller. She had a plump, but lovely figure, and wore tight jeans combined with the green T-shirt that was hiding her cleavage. He caught himself looking at her chest for a few seconds then quickly shook his head, laughing and hoping she didnt notice. He offered her his hand for a handshake, smiling.
“Allow me to introduce myself. Name is Xander, Xander Thompson.“
She smiled and shook hands with him. “My name is Xiao Bai, pleased to...meet you...“ she blushed as he took her hand and gave it a gentle kiss as they sat down on one of the nearby benches.
“Xiao Bai? From Team Strike? I knew you seemed familiar.“ Xander noticed, smiling.
“I never missed any of your matches. Watching your battles proved to me that girls can kick asses probably even better than boys can!“, with this he made Xiao chuckle a bit, blush not leaving her face.
“Thanks. We just try to do our best in the arena.“
Xander nods and keeps smiling, not letting go of her hands, to which she didnt seem to object. “I must also notice that your skills with leek are amazing. Never saw any Farfetch'd use it so well.“
“Yeah, my dad trained me how to use it.“, Xiao replied. “Took me a lot of time to learn it but he helped me out.“
“Your dad is a Farfetch'd?“ He asks.
“Both mom and dad, yeah“, she nods, much to his surprise. He couldn't help but wonder. “....both parents? Oh wait, that means you're...“
Xiao just nods. “Yeah, I'm adopted. They found me as a baby in the basket floating down the river.“
Xander looks down, then back at her. “I see...who knows what would've happened to you if they didnt pass by.“
She just smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I am thankful to them and fates that led them to me.“, she then turned to him.
He looked her in the eyes for a few moments before suddenly shaking his head and laughing, slight blush covering his face. “Sorry, my mind tends to wander off sometimes.“
She just chuckled and stood up. “Well, it was nice talking to you, but I gotta go now. Hope we can meet again tomorrow?“ He stood up as well and nodded, smiling.
“Alright, see ya tomorrow then.“ With that, she waved at him and walked away. He stood there and watched her as she left, his eyes slowly sliding down to her rear as his mouth formed into a big goofy smile. All of sudden, he felt a slight pat on his back, and he turned around. It was his friend and teammate, Zeke.
“Where've you been man? Yun told me you had a fight with Gloria today.“ Zeke asked.
Xander just shook his head and grinned. “Ehh, it's all settled. That bitch won't bother me anymore.“, he replied.
“I see...“ Zeke notices, followed by a sigh of relief. “So what now?“
“I'll worry about other things later, right now I'm going to blow off some steam in the gym. Wanna come along? I could use a sparring partner.“
Zeke nods and smiles. “Sure.“ With that, they left for the gym. Xander suddenly felt that tomorrow is gonna be a good day for him.

Next couple of days, Xander spent a lot of time in Xiao's company. He never felt as good as this when he was with Gloria, hell, he almost completely forgot about her ever since he met Xiao. He loved to do or say things that made her smile shyly and blush. Later on he found out she wasnt having luck in finding a partner either, with last guy she was supposed to go on a Fall Formal suddenly changing his mind, practically leaving her hanging. She kept claiming he was not a bad guy, but Xander was still disappointed at the guy's indecisiveness.
“Real gentlemon always stays true to his word and fulfills the promise. He missed a great opportunity by leaving you.“, he lets her know. “If I ever asked you out, I wouldn't let anyone or anything stop me from going out with you.“
Xiao just blushed and said nothing, smiling at him.
As time passed, Junior year came to an end and Xander returned home, thinking about his new friend. He didnt manage to ask her where she lives or to ask for her phone number, so he was waiting patiently for the new school year to start, in the meantime passing his time with working in his parents' restaurant or training.

Time passed incredibly fast for him and Senior year finally started. He met with the rest of his teammates, quickly unpacked his stuff and walked outside, looking around as if he was searching for someone. Suddenly he felt a slight tap on the shoulder and he turned around. A huge smile appeared on his face as he spotted Xiao standing and smiling at him. “Hi there-“ she greets him, but ends up interrupted by him suddenly hugging her. She chuckles and blushes, returning the hug.
“Hope you had a fun vacation!“ Xander smiles as he ruffles the patch on her head.
She giggled and shook of his hand gently. “Well you can say it was OK...what about you?“
“Ehh, same old thing. Train, help my folks in the restaurant, hang out with some friends...too bad we didnt get to exchange contact info last time we met.“
She smiled and nodded. “Yeah, well at least we-“ she is suddenly interrupted by Zeke and Xiao's friend and teammate, Lopunny named Penny Mao (called Mao Mao by her friends), who approached them.
“Well this is just perfect. We've got some news.“ Zeke turns to Xander, smiling.
“...News?“ Both Xander and Xiao looked at each other, then at their friends. Mao nodded and continued.
“Zeke and I talked about some stuff and decided to hold a little friendly match tomorrow. Four on four battle, at 4 pm in Taylor-Gates arena. We should start preparing immediately. “
Xander blinked and turned to Zeke. “Wait, that soon? What the hell? “ Zeke just chuckled and shook his head.
“Relax, as we said it's just a friendly match. A mere testing of what we can do. Also, if I recall well, you always said how you wanted to fight against Ginger one day.“
“Yeah, but...... “ Xander tried to explain, but Xiao interrupts him.
“It's alright. I mean, we'll get to finally see what each one of both can do, right? “ She smiles at him, placing her hand on his shoulder.
He just stood there and looked down, then looked up at her and smiled. “Alright then. See you tomorrow. And may the better team win!“
Mao nods and smiles, leaving with Xiao. Xander just stood there and looked after them, releasing a long sigh.
“Someone seems to have fallen in love again.“ Zeke smiles at his friend. Xander just looks at him, small blush appearing on his face. “...Huh?“
Zeke chuckles and pats him on the shoulder. “C'mon it's obvious! The way you act when you talk to her and when she's around, the way you look at her...I'm sure even Mao there noticed it.“
Xander smiles and sighs again, putting his hands in the air. “I surrender, you're right. I mean, she's......an amazing change after the flop with Gloria. I don't remember when was the last time I talked to the girl as kind and sweet as Xiao...“ He stops and looks up, sitting down on a bench behind him. “...I need to ask her out for a date, but I don't know when. If I rush it, I might screw up, if I wait, it might be too late.“
Zeke nods and sits down next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “If you ask me, any time is perfect, as long as you show her your true feelings. Being honest always works, and if she knows how you feel, chances she will accept are very high.“
Xander turned to his friend and looked at him for a few moments, then smiled. “You know what, you're right!“ He jumps off the bench and clenches his fists. “I'm gonna ask her out, and not even Arceus is gonna stop me!!“ With that he points his finger in the air “Ya heard me up there??!!“ Zeke couldnt help but laugh on the bench, but still admired his friend's sudden outburst of determination.

Day of the battle quickly approached and students began filling the arena, waiting to see the outcome of the battle between Team Pantheon and Team Strike. Both teams left their locker rooms and sat at their respective sides of the arena to discuss the strategy. As Zeke was explaining to his teammates how to fight and who to attack, Xander kept looking at the opposing team, hoping Xiao will notice him. Suddenly he felt a light smack on the shoulder. “Dude, concentrate! We need to get this plan to work!!“ Zeke pulled him back in the circle. “So, everyone got the plan memorized?“ Yun and Annie nodded, while Xander gave a quick thumbs up. Zeke looked at him for a couple of seconds before nodding. “Alright, let's do it!“ With that, they left towards the center of the arena, taking their positions as Zeke walked closer, facing Mao. Ms. Laura Gice, the referee, walked closer and looked at both team leaders. “Shake hands.“
Both Mao and Zeke smiled to each other. “Good luck.“ Zeke smiles as he shakes hands with Mao, who smiles and nods in reply. “To you as well.“ Ms. Gice stepping back as both team leaders stood in their battle poses. She took a deep breath and blew in the whistle, signalizing the beginning of the battle as both teams rushed one towards another. Zeke immediately clashed with Mao, his arms enveloped in a black-purple mist that soon formed into large set of claws.
On the other side, Portia floated around, heading towards them as suddenly Annie teleported in front of her, sending out chains of golden leaves (Magical Leaf) at her opponent. Crowd cheered on as Yun and Xiao kept exchanging attacks, jumping around the arena and moving with such speed, at times it seemed as two blurs colliding with each other and randomly appearing all over the place.
Xander was trying his best to keep Ginger away from Zeke, sending barrages of attacks at her and avoiding her own. Even with his strongest attacks it didnt seem she will go down so soon as she just smirks and spits some blood on the side, raising her fists.
“Bring it on, monkeybutt.“
He jumps in attempt to send her flying back with his Mach Punch, but blacks out for a moment as she kicks him on the head with the Blaze Kick. She runs towards him and jumps in the air, stretching her leg out and landing with such a force, small area of the battlefield was covered in dust for a few moments. When it finally settled down, she realized she hit the blank spot-he managed to move out of the way. Just as she turned around, all she saw was Xander's hands glowing as he claps, before she ended up burried under a pile of rocks that flew from her left and right side (Rock Tomb). As he stops for a moment to catch a breath, he notices Xiao running after Annie, not before knocking out Yun.
“This is it man...do it!!“ With that, he runs as fast as he can towards Xiao, suddenly blocking her path. Surprised, Xiao jumps back for a few steps and prepares to attack, but is interrupted when Xander gestures with his hands towards her. “Time out!“
Xiao blinked in confusion and looked at him, still in the battle pose. “What's the matte-“ she ends up being interrupted again as Xander takes her hands, making her drop her leek.
“Xiao...there's something I wanted to confess... “
She blushes as she looks him in the eyes, not understanding what is he doing. The rest of their teammates still were occupied with the fighting.
Ms. Gice, on the other hand, saw them standing there and scratched her head. “What the hell is that kid doing?“, she thought to herself as some of the spectators looked in confusion and shrugged. Xander ignored all of them as he spoke to Xiao.
“Ever since I broke up with Gloria, I felt there was a gap in me for which I found no cure. No matter what how hard I tried, I couldn't fill it up. I didn't know what to do anymore...but then you showed up. You filled that gap and made me whole again. No other person could make me as happy as you did.“ Suddenly, Zeke turned around and noticed Xander standing there with Xiao.
“..........What the hell? Dude! What are you doing?!!“
Xander didn't hear him....or at least pretended he doesnt hear him. “I never cared for anyone as I care for you Xiao. I just wanted to ask you, if you could for at least one day go out with me?“
At that moment, the rest of the fighters stopped, and turned to the couple standing on the side. All that echoed through the arena was a big “WHAT?“ as the crowd turned it's attention to Xander and Xiao.
“Is this dude insane?“ “Interrupting a match for that?“ “The hell is his problem... “ all those questions hummed in the air as Xander just stood there, waiting for an answer. Xiao felt her legs shaking as she looked at him, not knowing what to say, completely red in her face. All of sudden, a loud crashing noise was heard as Ginger broke free and charged at Xander, visibly infuriated. Just as Xander turned, she spun in the air and landed her foot in his face, sending him flying several feet back as he blacked out for good this time.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT OUT THERE YOU IDIOT??!!!! “
Holding the pack of ice on her cheek and furiously walking from left to right in, Yun began cursing and shouting at Xander who just looked down and didn't say a thing.
“You just couldn't pick a better fucking moment to ask that girl out?!! You had to do it in the middle of the-“
“Leave him alone Yun, it was partially my fault.“ Zeke interrupted her as he finished patching up Annie. “I told him that if he wants to ask her out, any time is perfect.“
Yun turned to Zeke and put down the package. “But what kind of an idiot you need to be to take something like that literarily?“
Zeke just shook his head and walked closer “Listen, just let go of it. We lost the match, that's it.“
Xander suddenly turns his head to Zeke. “She's right dude. It was stupid of me to do that.“ Yun suddenly turns her head towards Xander, not believing what he just said. “...What?“
“I said you're right. What I did was stupid. I was wasting everyone's time, let my guard down and made a fool out of myself.“
Yun shook her head and took a seat next to him. “I do understand how you feel for her, but man, did you really have to ask her out in the middle of the battle? Couldn’t it wait for, like, after the match?“
Xander just looked at her and shrugged without saying anything. Zeke slowly moved behind him and gave him a gentle pat on the back. “C'mon, let's pack up and leave. We all have to rest after this hell of a battle.“
Xander suddenly turned around and smiled gently. “You go on ahead. I'll stay here...and think about this whole thing for a bit.“
Yun looked at Zeke who gave her a nod of approval, then turned to Xander. “Sorry about the whole thing...maybe you'll have better luck next time you ask her. “
Xander chuckled and looked at her. “After today's embarassment? I doubt it.“ All Yun could do is sigh and take her backpack, following after Zeke and Annie on their way out.

Xander just sat there, absorbing the silence that filled the lockers room, and sighed to himself. After several minutes of sitting there and pondering, he grabbed his stuff and left out, closing the doors. As he walked down the hall, he noticed someone standing on the exit doors. It was none other than Xiao. At first he smiled but a moment later looked down, recalling what he did in the arena and tried to walk past her.
“Hey there.... “
Suddenly she reached out with her hand and blocked his way out, looking at him. “Yun told me I'll find you here...we need to talk.“
Xander shrugged and avoided eye contact with her, leaning against the wall and putting hia bag down. “Sure, what is it?“
She moves away from the door and stands in front of him, crossing her arms over her chest. “All the things you said there...was it truth, or just an attempt to make me let my guard down?“
Xander sighed and finally turned around, looking her in the eyes. “Do you think I would stoop that low to use someone's feelings in battle to gain advantage? I never lied to anyone. All the things I said there....it was nothing but truth. After the flop with Gloria, you made me feel alive again. For some time I was thinking when to ask you out, and I guess that, for some reason, I was worried that if I don't ask you for a date now, I will never get that chance again.“ He took a short break then chuckled as he moved away from the wall. “If there was someone who let their guard down today in the arena, that would be me.“ With that he takes his bag and moves towards the door. “Then again...just forget what I said there. I made a-“
All of sudden he feels her grabbing his arm and turning him around. Just as he was about to ask her what is she doing, she stepped on her toes and gave him a long kiss on the cheek, leaving him wide-eyed and speechless as blush covers his face. She breaks the kiss after few moments and looks him in the eyes, gentle blush forming on her cheeks as well.
“I guess anyone bold enough to make a fool out of themselves in front of everyone, just to ask me for a date, deserves a chance.“ She smiles and walks towards the doors, then turns back to him. “Tomorrow around....let's say 7 pm?“ She asks, smiling at him. It took him a few moments to react and just nod in reply. “Alright then...see ya.“ With that, she waves shyly to him and walks out through the door.
Xander still couldn't believe what just happened as he places his hand on the cheek where she kissed him. “Goddamn......... “ was all he could say as he grins to himself and takes the bag he dropped. “This is just getting better and better....I guess I actually picked a perfect timing to ask her out.“, he concludes as he walks out of the arena, back towards the dorms. Tomorrow seems to be a day to look forward to.