The Aura is With Me (Advanceshipping)

[CyberBlaziken]

Very nice chapter Lunar.I think this is going to be great.So far one of the best I'm reading.

[lunarshadow]

*smiles* Wow, probably the best fanfic Ive read in a while - nice work my friend!

Very nice chapter Lunar.I think this is going to be great.So far one of the best I'm reading.

You know, it's really, really nice to know that people out there actually think that my work is decent! Thanks for the reviews, both of you!

[Sp1derp1g]

I'm liking this fic, but I want some more Advanceshippy moments...

Can you add me to those PM lists of yours?

[lunarshadow]

I'm liking this fic, but I want some more Advanceshippy moments...

Can you add me to those PM lists of yours?

You know, for some reason, I get some kind of 500 Internal Server Error EVERY STINKING TIME I TRY TO EDIT MY FIRST POST, so I can't do any of that. I will make a mental note of that though for the next chapter.

[Vilya]

It's times like these I really wish I could get my hands on a DS and D/P! It's so sad I'm not able to appreciate the references to the game you make.

Thank you for the chapter! Can't wait to see where this goes, but hey, take all the time you need!

Oh and I went and read Destiny Bond, thanks for the link!

[EarthBorn]

Bah, I hate being really late to review. Better late than never, I guess.

So...we have good characterization here. I love the way you protrayed the Sinnoh Elite 4, they seem to be quite likable and quite game and anime based. Cynthia especially.

Now, I'm wondering exactly when May's gonna show up, but I guess we'll have to wait till after Ash's Gym Battle.

Keep it up!

[lunarshadow]

Chapter Five: Dream On

It was an evening with only a few clouds in the sky, and the sun had just set itself under the Earth’s horizon. Underneath the blackened blue-open overhead lay a stadium erupting in cheers in response to the battle taking place within. On the sandy ground, a field was outlined by the borders, boundaries, and the all-too recognizable PokéBall shape in the middle, where all of the night’s action centered. On both ends stood trainers, each commanding a Pokémon of choice, but on one side, the advantage was his beyond the shadow of a doubt.

From the vantage point of the Pokémon League torch, now ablaze with simmering glory, the right-most side of the enormous stadium hosted a young teen of thirteen who stood tall, invigorated, and in his red cap and jeans complete. On his side stood his faithful and loyal partner and friend, Pikachu, and out on the field was his blubbery, yet nimble Pokémon, Snorlax. Ash Ketchum ordered the final attack.

“Snorlax, use Hyper Beam and finish this up! Full power!” he shouted out in the distance amidst the ear-splitting crowd.

Immediately, as if it were a doomsday sentence, an enormous mass of body weight appeared in the sky just as it pounced to unleash its savage, charged beam of pure energy upon its target.

A young boy of just ten on the opposite side wore black rimmed glasses, a green polo shirt, and dark green shorts. As each fraction of a second speed by, his entire body cringed ever more rigidly as he looked up at his opponent in the sky. His hands were both balled into sweaty fists as he turned his gaze out onto the rock and sand stadium. A Swellow was lying in the dust trying to shake off the pain from the last assault, but the boy knew it was over no matter what he ordered next. Max’s Pokémon was about to be pulverized.

“No! Swellow, use Agility to dodge it!” he yelled out in a desperate attempt to evade the colossal assault.

The Swallow Pokémon looked up to see where its opponent had gone, but no sooner had it looked up the Snorlax unleashed its attack. “Swe? Swellow!” it yelled out in surprise.

The brunt of the energy burst nailed its target and sent it and the field around it in a furious cloud of rock, sand, and dust. Max shielded his eyes against the savage gusts of debris and waited for the aftermath for it to reveal itself. Max tore his eyes away from his arms and saw what he dreaded, but knew he would see. The battle-worn bird fell from the air to the ground knocked out.

Another, familiar voice called out in the distance, “Swellow is unable to continue battling; Snorlax is the winner!” The surrounding crowd let loose an ear-splitting cheer, but the boy was oblivious to both entities. He could care about the referee’s verdict, or the crowd’s over-enthusiastic affirmation. All he knew was that before the ref even uttered his decision he had known what would have happened, and it was his entire fault that it did, and every attack he ordered summed up to a defeat.

The young boy looked up from the field and stole a glance at the scoreboard up in the middle of the stands. He looked to the right half of the scoreboard to look at the Pokémon that were in his opponent’s slots. Only four slots were filled and all were in full light and color. The boy’s opponent hadn’t lost a single Pokémon, nor had he sent out his full roster. The boy looked above for the human slot and saw the same vibrant, confident, and red-caped face he did across him on the field. Looking to the left, he saw his own determined face beginning to fade into gray on the screen, and underneath it, all six slots filled with his Pokémon, and all of them were also faded gray, knocked out, all six.

On screen, the animation switched from the bi-sectional win and loss table straight to a dominant portrait of Ash in its center blaring “Ash Ketchum! Winner! Congratulations!” It was final, official, “finito”. It was game over. Max lost.

Continuing his duty, the referee raised his right flag high into the air and vainly announced to the all-too-knowing stadium, “The winner goes to Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!”. As soon as he raised his red flag in his right hand, he continued on, “Ash Ketchum is the winner of the Hoenn Pokémon League!”

Max’s mind had gone from gruesome slow motion into reverse. All six of my Pokémon. It’s over. I lost… It’s over... I lost! He summoned what little strength he had left to tear his eyes off of the recorded truth on the scoreboard and back to his fallen warrior, center field.

Water began to build up in his eyes and filled his eyelids to the brim as he ran out into the dusty field even though it hadn’t settled yet. He collapsed on his knees before his fallen being of the sky and picked up the exhausted bird. His words became distorted with his sadness and self rage. “I’m sorry Swellow, you did my best and I didn’t. I’m sorry.”

“Swel, swellow,” the bird cawed out.

The boy solemnly nodded at his Pokémon’s response and said back, “Here, have a long rest.” He drew from his belt a compressed PokéBall, enlarged it, and loosed a stream of red light and withdrew his tired Pokémon.

Immediately large tears overflowed from his face and cheeks onto the sandy battleground and softened the hard surface. He couldn’t let them fall in the presence of his friends, and now, there was nothing to stop him. I’m so sorry everyone! Max inwardly scolded himself. I couldn’t do it. I’m just not strong enough, and you were. All of you!

After several moments of melancholy silence, Max noticed a pair of sneakers planted within arm’s reach from his point. They were red and black sneakers, and definitely belonged to Ash’s. He looked up and saw the familiar smiling face and a yellow electric rodent perched on his shoulder. As he offered a handshake to Max, Ash said, “Max, that was a great battle!”

On the ground, Max knelt put with his knees and feet in the soil, and turned his head sharply away as more tears continued to empty themselves out of Max’s eyes. “Ash, what are you talking about? That was a terrible battle! After all I promised you that I would beat you one day, and now that day is today, and I barely laid a scratch on you at all! You didn’t even have to send out Pikachu!”

Ash recoiled slightly and Pikachu seemed taken aback by the half-compliment and half-scorn, but Ash’s hand was still outstretched for Max to take. “Hey, Max. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Winning is not what a trainer needs to think about first.” Pikachu on Ash’s shoulder tried to console Max the same, “Pika, pikachu!”

Max still kept his head down to prevent Ash from seeing his reddened eyes as he said, “I know that, but I thought I’d win because I knew all of your battle strategies! I mean, I did travel with you for a whole year through two regions! I thought I might actually be a challenge for you!”

Ash then dropped his knees to the ground and knelt in front of Max which prompted him to look up. Ash put his extended arm onto Max’s shoulder and mock spoke, “You know, as soon as I heard you say that back after the Terracotta Contest, I’ve been changing my strategies up a bit.”

Max’s face turned from defeat to defeat and instant shock. “Wha- what! You mean you’ve been planning this the whole time!?”

Ash’s smile grew ever larger as he replied, “In a way, yeah. Ever since you’ve said that to me, I’ve been thinking. I knew that you’d figure out a way to counter every strategy I had by the time you challenged me, so I went ahead and added more strategies I had learned back in Sinnoh.”

Max wiped the tears from his eyes now that he knew why Ash was barely affected by his counter-strategies. But it still didn’t add up. “Wait, then why did I lose? I’ve fought a bunch of trainers and they’ve all used different styles and I could counter those perfectly fine! Why are you so different?”

Ash withdrew his hand that was on Max’s shoulder and stood up profoundly and said, “Come. I’ll show you.”

Now the sad face that was on Max was instantly re-written with sheer excitement and he leapt up off of the ground. “Wait, really? Right now?”

Ash replied, “Sure! But first, great battle right?” Ash re-extended his arm and held out his hand.

Max smiled with determination and said, “Deal!” he firmly gripped Ash’s hand and the whole stadium noise seemed to melt away. “So what do I have to do first?”

Ash replied, “That’s easy. Wake up.”

That was a surprise. “Huh? Wait, wake up? I am awake!” Max stated.

“Max, wake up.” Ash said with a louder voice.

Is Ash playing games with me or what? He thought. Max raised his voice as well, “I am awake!”

“Max, wake up!” Ash shouted. His figure seemed to become foggy.

“I am awake!” Max shouted back.

“Max get out of bed or I’m going personally get you out! And could you please let go of my hand!?” a different voice sounded.

“Wait, wait, bed? Hand? Dad?” Max realized that the entire stadium had gone from his vision, and both Ash and Pikachu were no longer grabbing his hand, but rather his dad was, kneeling on the floor in front of his bed, fully dressed for the day to begin, and his face distorted from sudden awkwardness.

“Geez, Max! You’ve overslept much longer than usual! It’s nearly 9:30! Come on, get up! And could you let go of my hand please for the second time?” Norman ranted.

“Oh, sorry Dad.” Max finally let go of his dad’s hand and they both rubbed theirs of their discomfort. “I guess it was a dream.”

Max looked out with his real eyes and saw his room just as it was before he fell asleep the night before. He saw his single bed with different Pokémon embossed on his sheets, a small desk off to his right with a lamplight and drawing materials, a bookshelf on his left crammed full with Pokémon novels, manga, enclopedias, and now his dad above him beckoning him to get out of bed.

“Well, come on, Mom’s already made us breakfast and everything. We don’t want to be late for the first challenger.”

Max practically exploded out of his sheets and leapt up out of his bed. “Yes! I knew today was the day! That’s why I had that dream! Thanks dad!”

Norman stood up and faced his only son with a Gym Leader’s grin and said, “Of course kiddo! You’ve been practically counting down the hours since I told you I’d finally let you about a month ago!”

Max eyed his father and could barely contain his excitement as he jittered, “Yeah, I’m so glad the wait is over! Pokémon Master, here I come!”

Norman just shook his head as he started toward Max’s bedroom door. “You’ll get there someday. But first, I need some of your mom’s cooking, otherwise I’ll be at a stomach disadvantage when that challenger gets here. Come down as soon as you get dressed.”

Again, nearly flying across the room with energy, he threw off his dark green night clothes against the wall to the wash basket. “Ya don’t have to tell me twice!”

Norman continued towards the door, but he eyed something nailed to the door. It was a calendar with X’s marking off the days until a particular day, the 30th of the same month the page was turned to. Max’s birthdate is on the 30th, but it doesn’t say birthday there or anything. Norman thought. “Max, your birthday is on the 30th of next month right?”

Max surprisingly had already put on a clean set of boxers, socks and shorts when he noticed his dad’s question, “Yeah, of course! Why do ya ask?” He raced over to his dresser and fumbled around for his green polo.

“Well,” Norman began amidst the raucous of shifting clothes, “You didn’t write ‘birthday’ or ten years old or anything. It just says Pokémon Journey in big letters.”

Max slowed down with his shirt half put on, “Oh. Well, I don’t really care about being ten or not. As far as me goes, I was ten even while I was traveling with Ash.”

Norman turned around and saw Max squirming inside his own shirt and grinned, “So, I guess you don’t really care about the 30th being your birthday so much this year, huh.” He walked over to help out his strangled son.

Max further squirmed in his clothes, “Dad! I’m fine! You don’t need to put my clothes on for me ya know! HEY!”

Norman had already taken Max’s backwards shirt and flipped it before he could even protest. “Dad! I’m not five anymore, geez!” Max protested.

Norman laughed; it wasn’t the first time this happened. “No matter how much you try to grow up Max, you’re still my son right?”

Max just hung his head in defeat and looked off to where his calendar was saying, “I guess so…”

Norman patted his son on the shoulder and said, “Well, come on son! You’re going to want to mark down yesterday on that calendar, right?”

“Oh yeah!” Again, flying across the room, he snatched a marker off of his desk and sloppily X’ed off the 2nd on his calendar. “Only twenty-eight more days to go!” He looked up to his dad a last time, “Hey, Dad?”

Norman looked back at his son expecting some more father-son talk experience, “Yeah, what Max?”

It didn’t come. “RACE YOU TO THE TABLE!” At that Max darted off downstairs in the direction of delectable scent. Norman stood blinking, then laughing, again fooled by his kid’s tricks. “Max! I’ll get you for that!” And he too darted behind the exuberant boy in the green polo, slamming the door behind him, and making the calendar on the other side knock back, a reminder of the twenty-eight days left to spend together.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's note: I hope this chapter portrayed Max and his dad just like the Anime had. That was a real challenge for me. Also, I hope everyone got the whole dream thing going on, so, yeah. That's what this is all about!

*And yes, the title was inspired by Aerosmith's "Dream On"!*

To Vilya: You know, I feel really bad for you that you don't have a DS. YOU'RE MISSING OUT ON SO MUCH! Then again, school is really what you must focus on right now.

To EarthBorn: You know, I'm just about to introduce May in the next chapter...finally!

Merry Holiday Break to Everyone!

[Shadow-saur]

First to read XD

Yay, Max is here You just made my day. Seriously.

They were red and black sneakers, and definitely belonged to Ash’s

I think you mean they belonged to Ash.

That's the only thing I noticed right now. Very descriptive and well-written. Another great chapter.

[EarthBorn]

“Max, your birthday is on the 30th of next month right?”

Don't you mean the same month? Norman did say that there were 28 more days to go!
Oh, and I'm wondering how old May is at this point. I hope she's not much younger than Ash in any case.

I didn't expect a shift in perspective, and this did seem like a filler, apart from the fact that you hinted at Ash changing his strategy and style. I'm definitely expecting Max to lose though, just like you described it. It would be bad on Ash's part to lose after so much experience, and even worse to hold back.

Waiting for May's introduction next chapter.

[CyberBlaziken]

Yea!!!New chapter
Good chapter.
Waiting for May.

[shaymin_girl]

Wow i love this story
i hope May appears soon!

[Stage On]

Wow I just read through all 5 chapters so far and this is fantastic! The only shame is that their isn't more. The next chapter will defenilty be worth the wait whenever it's done xd

[lunarshadow]

Chapter Six: Realization

As fate would turn out, no matter where you go, you will always find life. This can be both good and bad. Life brings innovation and luxury, education and science. Sometimes it brings love, other times they bring peace. Other times, it’s just there for the fun of it. This trio of life forms does not fall into any one of the above categories. They’ve just been blasted into the Sinnoh sky for being notoriously bad at what they do: being Team Rocket.

[17:20 P.M.] Sunyshore City Border (3330 Feet Meters Elevation), Sinnoh Region

“AAAAAHHHHH!” the trio of thieves yelled at the top of their lungs.

For all they were worth, it was a sight to see. The trio of two humans, Jesse and James, and one Pokemon, Meowth, were tumbling in the afternoon sky down to the earth at startling speeds. The surrounding landscape swept horizontally beneath them as if they were flying over a map, the sea enlarged itself as if under a microscope, and underneath the city began to show off its skyscrapers and innovative solar panel walkways in rapid succession. But with all due respect to the glorious Team Rocket, things always ended this way for them; blasting off into the sky farther than plain eyesight could ever see. Today was no different.

At roughly 500 feet of elevation left to go, Meowth with his scratchy voice yelled out amidst the rushing wind, “Prepare for a crash landin’!”

Jesse already bored with this routine yelled back, “Yeah, just like EVERY landing we’ve ever had!”

James on the other hand couldn’t help but recall, “Well, there was that one time when we just ran away like a bunch of —”

—SMASH! An impact into the trees of a courtyard cut his memory short.

Surprisingly, it was a relatively nice place to land. From the shoreline, roughly 90 feet parallel to the shore existed a simple concrete walkway that ran from the Pokémon Center all the way to the Sunyshore Lighthouse about 700 feet away. Along the side of the sidewalk nearest the shoreline existed peachy perfect sand, and the waves nuzzling inside it, while on the other side existed a grassy walkway littered with thick trees, and coincidentally, Team Rocket swinging up in one of those branches, a short walk’s away from the Pokémon Center entrance.

Jesse on the other hand was not in the mood for evaluating the odds and counting blessings. It wouldn’t matter if they landed in sand, snow, lava, or trees, it was always the same crashing story’s end. “WHY!? Why is it always us? Why do we have to keep doing what we do best?”

Meowth, no more enthusiastic, “Uh, now wat might dat be, Jess?”

James saved Jesse the trouble of explaining, “Failing at life.”

An audible sigh resounded from all of their mouths simultaneously as they each swung on the same branch on the same tree, the same way: Jesse and James were hung by their pants, and Meowth in a similar fashion with his fur.

“We can’t keep going like this guys,” complained James.

“Yeah, especially for you, seeing how you were Mr. Richie for all of your childhood!” Jesse spat.

“Hey, hey! That all in the past! Besides, I gave that up a long time ago to join Team Rocket, remember Jess?” James defended himself.

Meowth couldn’t help but share his sympathy. “Yeah, just like I gave up chasing dat no-good-fur ball-of-a-feline Meowsy to live a life of crime.”

“And I gave up my dreams of become rich and famous and living like a queen just to be on the run from the law for the rest of my days!” Jesse admitted.

“It’s all dat brat boy’s fault!” Meowth realized to himself. His face contorted into sheer frustration. “He and dat Pikachu just keep blasting apart our mechas left and right—even if dey are electro-proof!”

Jesse smashed her right fist into her left hand and all the same changed her facial expression to anger and frustration. “If he wasn’t our target all the time, we would’ve gotten loads of Pokémon by now. We’ve got to beat that kid no matter what it takes!”

James pumped his fist up in team spirit, “Yeah—” CRACK.

“Huh? Did you guys hear something?” James asked. —CRACK.

Meowth did. “Uh oh. I tink dat branch is going to give way!”

Jesse squealed in helplessness as the branch continued to noisily break off, “No, no, no, no!”

As if their luck couldn’t get any worse, a certain bluish blob of a Pokémon exploded out of its ball, on top of the same branch and happily cheered, “WO-BBUFFET!”

CRACK! Another 30 feet the trio plummeted down to the solid ground. Jesse, James, and Meowth again simultaneously groaned while Wobbufet still teetered on top of the three bodies happy as a June Bug.

[17:51 P.M.] Sunyshore City (Pokémon Center Entrance), Sinnoh Region

“Gliscor, oomph! Would you please contain yourself!?” Ash struggled to get out.

Gliscor, the Fang Scorp Pokémon that had flattened itself onto Ash still giggled its guts out, rejoicing in the never ending game she played. “Gli! Gli!” she gushed out as she winked and leapt up off of her trainer’s chest.

“Alright then guys.” Ash stood up and brushed off the dust on his vest as he said, “We’ll be doing a bit of training today, so I want everyone’s best, alright?”

Everyone responded, (“You can count on it!”).

“Alright then. Since Cynthia is coming soon, we won’t have much time to train as usual, so I think it’s time for a little fun! Who’s up for a game of beach ball?”

[18:11 P.M.] Sunyshore City (Pokémon Center), Sinnoh Region

As a man of simplicity, Brock always knew what was best. Cooking was simple yet elegant, and his attire was nothing fancy but built for the job. Today’s twenty minute flat shower was a testament to such simplicity. Oddly enough though, he wasn’t the first one out of the complimentary Pokémon Center showers.

The Pokémon Center, a by no means worn down facility, had a lobby structured with a front desk in the center of view and several squashy armchairs for the tired trainer not intending to stick around. To the right of the desk lay the hallway of the human lounge, rooms and beds, and the public facilities, and to the left of the desk lay the Pokémon treatment facilities including the check up room, resting room, emergency room, and critical room.

Brock walked out of the shower facilities fully dressed and carrying his towel and borrowed cleaning lotions. He deposited the spent items and used towel into the waste bin and laundry bin respectively, and proceeded down that hallway to the lounging area, where he found Flint sitting down on the couch, completely dressed, and poofing his afro with specialized combs.


Flint, who was already waiting in the lobby down the hallway, asked, “Now here’s my question to you Brock. Why is it so that me such as yourself and I can take showers as short as five minutes, yet the ladies consistently must take thirty-five minutes?”

Brock chuckled a little at the age old question and settled himself across Flint on the couch. “Heh, I really don’t have an answer for you Flint! If I did, I might just be that much closer to understanding girls!” Brock talked and raised his hand and formed a pincer grasp about a quarter of an inch apart.

“I hear you man, I hear you. Ever since I’ve become an elite four member, I really haven’t been able to do much socializing. It’s really a lot of training dedicated just to hold the title.” Flint sighed.

“I understand, I was a Gym leader at one point, so I know what it’s like to get cut off from the outside world and only have the option to think about what pertained to my job. But since the day that Ash challenged me, I’ve had next to limitless chances to expand my horizons! And, get around to a bit more womanizing, if you know what I mean,” Brock noted.

“But somehow I get the impression you always get cut short every time you try, right?” Flint raised his eyebrow mockingly.

“Yeah, Croagunk stabs me every time I get close to a girl! It’s almost maddening!” Brock laughed.

“How about Ash and Dawn? Do they have any interests besides their job as trainers?” Flint inquired.

“Oh, no, are you kidding? Ash is a one track-minded person. He’s probably still training as hard as he can outside right now. He’s probably never given any kind of thought to relationships besides him and his Pokémon! Dawn I’m not so sure about, though. Don’t get me wrong, the bond between her and her Pokémon is steadily growing, but I wouldn’t doubt it if Dawn sometimes thinks about other things. Both are really, really motivated by their dreams.”

Flint nodded and looked off towards the female quarter of the shower facilities to check for Dawn, and returned back to reply, “That makes sense. Dawn obviously is more energetic than Ash is, but she probably doesn’t get much chance to expand.” Flint sighed and looked off into the distance again. “I just feel trapped.”

“What do you mean, Flint? Surely such a person such as yourself has a love life, right? I mean, come on! You’re one of the Elite Four!” Brock asked.

“That’s the thing. I’m one of the Elite Four, so I’m trapped to my job, and I have to constantly train and train for upcoming challengers. I don’t have any room or time to offer up for candle light dinners, or movies, or any of that kind of stuff.” Flint responded. “In fact, the last time I personally saw anyone else was when Cynthia told me to come look for you guys a while ago.”

“And what about Lucian or Aaron?” Brock questioned.

“Well, firstly and fore mostly, we’re rivals, and since Aaron is the new kid somewhat, he’s mostly away training for a championship rematch, and Lucian is always training so that I never catch up to him!” Flint explained. Then he sighed. “But Cynthia on the other hand, she’s a whole new person, and a lot of fun to be around.”

“I guess you two are pretty close friends right?” Brock pressed on.

“Yeah. We are, but the thing is, I’d like more than anything to get closer—”

“—Hey guys, whatcha talking about?” Dawn exploded, as if out of nowhere.

“Gah! Dawn, geez!” Brock flinched at the notice of Dawn. “Next time announce when you’re going to finally get out of the shower!” Brock suggested.

“Yeah, yo, we were getting into a deeper than ocean blue conversation here!” Flint added.

“I’m sorry, but I was hoping for a good second opinion, does my hair look fine? I really can’t be sure if I’m the only one looking at it,” Dawn gushed out.

“Dawn—” Brock began.

“I didn’t have Piplup so I don’t think my hair sheens when she does it, but does it look OK?” Dawn began fiddling with her hair and kept moving about.

I hate it when she does this…Brock thought. “Dawn—?”

“I don’t want to have to go back and do it all over again! Do I have to fix it? Can I even walk outside with this? And what if I—”

“DAWN!” Brock forcefully spoke out.

Dawn came to a screeching halt and nervously looked over at Brock. “Yeah?”

Brock chuckled and said, “It looks fine. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Dawn heaved a sigh and her hand clutched over her chest. “Ah, what a relief. Hey, I didn’t hear your opinion Flint? How does it look?” Dawn did a beauty twist on the spot and let her hair fly.

Flint got caught by surprise, thankful for a good change of topic, “Oh, yeah, it’s fine.”

Brock noticed Flint’s mannerism and wondered out loud, “Hey Flint, shouldn’t we go and wait for Lucian and Cynthia to arrive?”

Flint looked grateful at Brock who caught right on and stood up saying, “Yeah, if I know Lucian and Cynthia, they’ll be here anytime soon. Let’s get outside to Ash before they do!”

Brock too stood up and started walking towards the exit of the lounge area. “Who knows, maybe they’re there already.”

“Hey Flint?” Dawn asked as they were walking.

“What’s up?” Flint asked back.

Dawn cocked her right eyebrow and smirking slightly asked, “What were you two talking about before I got out of my shower that was so deep anyway?”

Crap, now is NOT the time for this! Flint thought. “Oh, uh, you know, just this and that, and—”

Brock saved Flint again who breathed a slight sigh of relief. “We were just talking about the fact that you girls always take the longest showers and worry about useless things.”

Now completely befuddled Dawn asked, “Like what?”

Both Brock and Flint started cracking up and said in unison, “Your hair of course!”

Dawn felt a 3rd degree burn after that one.

[09:39 A.M.] Petalburg City (Gym Living Quarters), Hoenn Region

The air inside of the kitchen was almost toxic. Aromas of superb scrambled eggs laced with spices floated throughout the air, poisoning those who couldn’t have a taste of it, Sausages sizzled on the frying pan, bubbling and writhing in sauce, ready to be fallen in love with at first smell, and yes, freshly flopped pancakes wafted in and around the two noses devouring the delectable food in front of them; Max and his father, Norman.

Caroline, Max’s mother and Norman’s wife, was busy working like a factory worker producing copious amounts of food for both seated at the table. “Geez! I’ve said this before, time and time again,” she loudly announced while flipping the pancake pan. “CHEW WITH YOUR MOUTH CLOSED!”

Who could blame her? The only sound other than the sound of scrambled eggs cooking, sausages sizzling, and pancakes pancaking was UM-NUMNUMNUM! UMNUM! UMNUMNUMNUMNUM!

Norman tried to apologize but the only thing that came out of his mouth was a garbled, “Foo forry, honee! I jhuph haph too feeneesh fiss beefoor Maaph!”

Max also tried to apologize, but similarly, his apology was just as indistinguishable. “Yaaa, forry mom!”

Caroline back in the kitchen just shook her head and smiled. It may be pointless to argue, but it’s still humorous.

RINGRINGRING!!! PHONECALLPHONECALL!!!

“Hey, Norman! Honey! I’m going to pick up the phone, so if you want any more eggs you’ll have to scramble them yourself!” Caroline called out to her husband.

Still ever stuffed, he replied, “Fure! Whaever hoonee!”

At that, Caronline hastily turned down the heat on the scrambled eggs, pancake, and sausage pan to prevent them from burning, and rushed over the videophone located in the family living room.

Hm. I wonder who it could be. She thought as she rushed to catch the phone. I sure hope it’s not that stupid gym inspection authority or whatever it is! They’ve been here already four times only to go back with a squeaky clean report! I swear if it’s them, I’ll personally—Oh, well, that’s weird.

Instead of the caller ID stating the gym inspectors’ number, it displayed another number, and underneath in smaller print read Cianwood Island Pokémon Center. What in the world would the Cianwood Pokémon Center call me for? Hey! Maybe she’s finished with one of her little contests!

Caroline picked up the green receiver and spoke, “Hello? Oh my gosh! It’s so great to see you, I was wondering where you were and…May!” Caroline gasped and brought her hand close to her mouth as she saw what was on her screen. Her thirteen year old daughter, with her respective receiver in her right hand up to her ear, displayed a pitiful sight. Her eyes had become swollen and blood shot, and on her cheeks were traces of glazed tears.

“Hey, mom.”

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Author's note: I really haven't been working much on this project in recent days due to school really consuming my life for the better, but I hope this chapter will mark the start of a string of good chapters!

To Shadow-saur: Heh, I'm really really glad you liked it! Plus it WAS a filler regardless.

To EarthBorn/CyberBlaziken/shaymin_girl: MAY IS HERE!!! For about three sentences...

To Tsubasa no Tenshi: Hey, thanks for the great compliments! I hope the wait was well worth it for you!

[midnightjewelz]

Nice chapter overall. now to my newest question to myself.

"What happened to May?"

Can't wait for the next chapter. ^^

[EarthBorn]

Ooh, goodies chapter. It's been a while, but I'm not one to complain.

Brock and Flint's conversation was gold, especially the part where Dawn comes out asking about her hair. I guess Flint's got a point there...being in the E4 and all - mind if I borrow that argument for future use?

Poor May.

Why's she sad? Is it because she lost a contest? Is it because of WHO she lost the contest TO?

Why does this seem to remind me of some random coordinator with green hair, eyes...:P

Keep up the good work anyways.

[The Horizon]

[I really need to post another chapter for my fic. Seriously.]

How's it going? I like the interactions between Brock and Flint, especially when they can talk about stuff they like [women]. So now Team Rocket had the last straw. What will they do this time?

“And I gave up my dreams of become rich and famous and living like a queen just to be on the run from the law for the rest of my days!” Jesse admitted.

I think you meant to say "becoming" rich and famous.

So May is finally here...sad and lonely...and it must be real bad...WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER, LUNARSHADOW?

Anyway, this chapter looked shorter than the rest but it was funny in the middle, but you shall be comdemned for that cliffhanger. Keep it up.

[Hylton7]

A really nice fanfic epic job dude

[CyberBlaziken]

Yippie!!
new chapter!!!!
nice chapter...i liked the conversation of Brock and Flint,especially the Dawn part.
What happened to May?????

Keep up the good work!!!!

[lunarshadow]

Chapter Seven: May

Caroline was struck with a tidal wave’s worth of worry, concern, and of all things, panic.

“May! Honey! What on earth happened to you?”

May on the other side of the telephone responded very melancholy, “Mom, it’s a long story,” as she let out a few fresh tears escape her eyes.

[20:42 P.M.] Cianwood City (Pokémon Center), Johto Region

Her call came from Cianwood City, the only city on the entire Cianwood Island, located in the Johto region several thousands of nautical miles away from the Hoenn region, Petalburg City, and her home at the gym.

She had brown hair that stopped at her shoulders with a green bandana hosting the impression of a white Poké Ball atop. She had an orange, tight shirt that had a black collar around her neck, and green and orange, tight shorts that ended halfway to her knees. Around her waist she wore a khaki colored fanny pack and green, orange, black and white sneakers on her feet.

Caroline couldn’t accept the sight of her only daughter wound up in tears and her face showing signs of depression. “May! Please tell me right now! What happened!?”

“Mom, I’m so sorry,” May choked out. “I’m so sorry that I hadn’t called you earlier.”

“May, it has been a whole month since you last called me! What in the world happened to you that you wouldn’t call?”

May brought her gloved hand up to her face and rubbed her eyes and forehead. “Mom, I don’t want to talk about it. Right now I’m really confused and I’ve got nowhere to go.”

Caroline was becoming increasingly concerned. “What do you mean, confused and nowhere to go? What happened?”

May tried to hold back her fresh tears as she stuttered out, “Mom, I… I…”

“May! What, what?”

May began to sob quietly. “Mom, I’m…I’m not going to the gr-grand f-festival.”

Caroline was swept with a renewed sense of pity and now utter shock. My daughter isn’t going to the grand festival, she repeated in her head. My daughter isn’t going to the grand festival! “Honey, I…Well what’s the matter? Why aren’t you going to the Grand Festival?”

May brought her head up and tried to look at her mother straight in the eye, but she couldn’t and let more tears fall down. “Mom…” she sobbed, “I…d-don’t h-have… I d-don’t h-have…”

Caroline understood. She had only four of the five required contest ribbons. “It’s O.K.” she said. “I’m not mad at you or anything. I just want you to be alright, well, and happy! Please, can’t you just tell me how you got this way?”

May continued to let her tears fall from her cheeks as she said. “Mom…I don’t want to talk about it right now… please? Just let it go.”

“No. No, May, I’m not letting it go just like that. Not while you’re crying like this!” Caroline sternly spoke.

May turned her head towards her mother and said, “Mom, I don’t want to talk about it!”

Caroline grew agitated at her daughter’s stubbornness. “Then why did you call me in the first place—to let me watch you be so sad?”

May withdrew slightly at her mom’s aggravation and whimpered, “Well…no.”

“Come on, May! You know why you called me!” Caroline bursted out. “You wanted someone to talk to. I’m your mother for goodness’ sake! Don’t you think for a second that I’d just hang up the phone and walk away from you! Come on. You can tell me anything. Max and even your father will never have to know! How about that?”

May looked at her mother, and she looked back at her with a smile. Slowly but surely, a shadow of a grin grew on May’s face. “Alright,” she said.

Caroline, now knowing that May would pour out everything that had made her so, calmly asked her daughter, “Now what’s been going on. I want to hear everything from the beginning.”

May raised a sore eyebrow and commented “Mom, I made a collect call.”

Caroline face-palmed. “Ugh… I’ll somehow get the charges to be less alright? Now how did this all come about?”

May began slowly at first, then increasing her tempo as she calmed down. “Well, I think it all actually started after I got back from the Wallace Cup in the Lake Valor Resort. I remember taking the cruise ship back to the Johto region and landing in Olivine City.”

[14:58 P.M.] Olivine City (Olivine Ocean), Johto Region — One Month Ago

It was a beautiful day to have ridden the seas on a cruise ship from the Sinnoh Region. The skies were cloudless and sunny, and the ocean below maintained low wave swells. Now docked, that cruise ship happily stayed in place, sturdy like a rock. On board, a voice came over the intercom, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have just arrived at the docks of Olivine City. Please collect all of your belongings and you may depart when you’re ready. We will need everyone off in two hours, I repeat, two hours.”

May was onboard that cruise ship, for she had just finished competing at the Wallace Cup back in Sinnoh at the Valor Lakefront Resort. It had been the best four days she had had in a long time.

At the very beginning of her career in the Johto region, she was regrettably alone, even though some of her coordinating friends and respective rivals were in the same region. They didn’t travel together; it would’ve be awkward, not to mention tense if two rivals competed in the same contest after practicing together and knowing the other’s strategy, thus, the quartet of coordinators, Harley, Soledad, Drew, and herself started in different cities and partook in different contests for the sake of competition.

Then she actually left the Johto region and her rivals behind in Ecruteak City to head over to a once-in-a-lifetime competition, hosted by the Contest Master, Wallace of Sootopolis City in the Sinnoh region. The journey from Olivine City in the Johto region to Snowpoint City then to the Valor Lakefront Resort in the Sinnoh region found her with what she didn’t have back at the start of Johto; her best friends.

May sat on the bed inside of her room onboard the cruise ship. She had been placed in a room right on a balcony, and today the door was open, letting in the cool breeze and sea-salt laced air.

Ah, it’s so peaceful here. I just wish everyone else was with me traveling, she thought. I know they’ve got stuff to do over in Sinnoh, but it’d still be nice to keep traveling with them again. I guess I miss them already, May thought to herself.

The same voice over the intercom came up again. “Attention passengers, at this time we need everyone off of the cruise ship within one hour and forty minutes. Please gather all of your belongings.”

Well, I’d better get my stuff together, she thought.

May walked in and about her bedroom looking for anything that was hers. She grabbed her fanny pack, took up what little was left in the room, and zipped it up. She was done in three minutes due to the lack of things she had to carry. Then she looked at her fanny pack and the Pokéballs inside. iHey, we’ve got some time. I guess I’ll let them have some fresh air before we leave.

“Come on out everybody!” she called out every one of her Pokémon Beautifly, Venusaur, Glaceon, Munchlax, Wartortle, and Blaziken.

“Well guys, we’re just about ready to get off this ship and head back into the Johto region. I want you all to be ready to get our last two ribbons, starting with this one in this city!”

Everyone responded, (“You can count on it!”).

“Great guys,” she acknowledged.

May’s Blaziken off to the side cocked her head off to the side slightly and asked, “Blai? Blaze, blaziken?”

May just looked at her Blaziken and asked in return, “Hey, Blaziken, what’s up?”

Her Blaziken responded, “Blaze. Blaze, blaziken.”

“Oh, I just guess I’m just thinking to myself about the Wallace Cup. That was such a great competition. Right guys?”

Everyone responded enthusiastically. Each of them had participated after all, even though the Wallace Cup ribbon went to Dawn. Glaceon off to the side showed a slight but noticeable droop in her ears. May smiled at her for some encouragement.

“It was so much fun competing with everyone. Dawn had an amazing team going there, and I’m really glad for her that she won the competition. Zoey wasn’t bad either; we really had to pull out a lot of strategies to combat her. It’s just a shame that Ash didn’t advance to the finals. I would’ve really loved to battle him…Just like the last day of our Hoenn journey…”

The loudspeakers blared again, “Attention all passengers, there is one hour and thirty minutes left to go before we load the next passengers aboard. Gather your belongings and you may exit the ship.”

“Okay, in that case, everyone return!” May held out her Poké Balls and returned everyone save Blaziken who backed away from the rest of the group to avoid getting called back inside. May noticed that.

“Hey Blaziken? Are you okay? Don’t you want to go back inside?” she asked as she indicated towards the last and empty Poké Ball. Blaziken shook her head.

“Aw, that’s so sweet Blaziken! Why not? It’ll just be the two of us like when we started out back in Littleroot Town!”

“Blai! Blaziken!” she responded very enthusiastically. Together, the both of them left their respective room, closed the door and headed toward the Olivine City dock.

[18:25 P.M.] Sunyshore City, Sinnoh Region

As the trio of Brock, Dawn and Flint approached the exit of the Sunyshore Pokémon Center, the automatic glass doors opened releasing the cool air outside. The afternoon sun had tired and began its slow decent towards the western horizon, creating an orange hue amidst the blue overtones of the sky, and invited a warm breeze to float around the three trainers.

“It’s really nice out,” Brock commented, taking a deep breath and glancing from left to right.

Flint casually dismissed Brock saying, “It’s always been like this. After a childhood spent and an adulthood returning, you get used to it.”

Dawn, nonplussed, replied, “You know, I’d take this over someplace cold like Snowpoint City any day!” as she brought her arms around herself, feigning a shiver.

“Good point. Well, Cynthia and Lucian are gonna have a hard time trying to find Ash; especially if we can’t find him first,” Flint mentioned out loud, more to himself than anyone in particular. “Where is he, anyway?”

As if mocking him, a commanding voice in the distance shouted, “Great job, Gliscor! Staraptor, use Wing Attack! Now Monferno, Mach Punch!”

All three trainers turned and swiftly ran towards the source of the voice each taking turns guessing at what Ash was training.

“He could be working on the spinning dodge! You know, he’s used it in most of his battles so far! I think I was the one who came up with that in the first place for contest moves, and it works so well!” Dawn called out against the passing trees.

Brock replied, “Naw, he’s probably working on the counter-shield. After all, he’ll be at a serious disadvantage if only a few of his Pokémon can actually do it.”

“Well, the wait’s over, there’s a massive park just around the bend. I bet that’s where he’s at,” Flint said as they rounded a corner onto an exquisite scene.

On the far end of the park’s border lay the Sunyshore Lighthouse, dominating the skyward backdrop, with concrete sidewalks, water fountains, grass, and many berry trees. In the dead center of the concrete sidewalk facing the lighthouse, Ash was commanding his Pokémon to use their attacks, not at each other, but on a beach ball.

“Pikachu, use Iron Tail, and Grotle, use Rock Climb!”

Pikachu leapt into the air with high speed as Monferno aimed a Mach Punch attack at the ball, hurtling it towards Pikachu. Crumpling into a dense sphere of yellow electric mouse, Pikachu started to spin, charging his Iron Tail all the while as he grunted a menacing, “Chuuu…PIKA!”

The attack landed a perfect hit and the unfortunate beach ball hurtled towards a neighboring tree, which Grotle, now with his claws extended, raced towards. Grotle jumped towards the tree, jumped neatly off it and violently swung his massive tail at the ball, sending it nowhere else but back at its owner—at frightening speed.

Ash, too busy yelling words at encouragement to Pikachu and Grotle, didn’t notice his impending doom.

Brock, Dawn, and Flint arrived in time to see Grotle direct his attack, and froze in both surprise and panic.

“ASH!” Dawn yelled out, almost afraid to.

Ash turned his head even further away from the ball, now completely oblivious to its presence. “Hey guys! You found—”

SMACK! The beach ball landed directly on Ash’s face knocking him over, and apparently also knocking a little wind out of him as he fell to the ground muttering garbled words that didn’t resemble language.

Brock, Dawn, Flint, and all of Ash’s Pokémon ran towards Ash, now sprawled with his hand covering his forehead.

“Ash are you O.K.? Can you hear me? Can you talk?” Brock asked hesitantly, stifling a laugh. It seemed as though he and all of the others gathered around him were in a battle over themselves on whether to be genuinely concerned or to bawl on the floor laughing.

After a few moments, Ash mumbled distinctly, “Well Grotle, I think Paul was wrong when he said you were weak. You nearly killed me with a beach ball.”

He slowly got up to his feet, chuckling and smiling, and soon all of his Pokémon had tackled him back to the ground affectionately as Dawn, Brock, and Flint smiled, watching. None of them happened to hear a soft disturbance in their midst, nor a duo of Pokémon trainers, one returning an Alakazam back into its Poké Ball.

“Having fun Ash?” called out the woman of the duo.

All the commotion froze to a standstill as Brock, Dawn, Flint, the entire roster of Ash’s team, and Ash registered what was in front of them—Lucian of the Elite Four and Cynthia the Sinnoh Pokémon Champion teleported right into their midst.

Ash took the lead and said, “Cynthia! It’s so great to see you again! How did you get here?”

“Lucian, it’s been so long! How’ve you been?” Dawn greeted.

Flint made an attempt to say, “Hi,” or anything to his superiors, but somehow Brock had similarly teleported from his spot previously to a spot right before Cynthia with his right knee on the ground and his right hand in Cynthia’s, while she looked down at him, flattered, but not flustered.

“Oh Cynthia, the angels of fate have brought us together today after all of this time…Surely this must mean it’s time to go on a romantic candlelit din—AAAUGH!!!”

Croagunk jabbed his trainer and effectively paralyzed him—again. Dragging Brock’s sorry carcass away and chuckling to itself, Flint finally managed to knuckle pound Lucian and accost Cynthia.

“Dude, you guys kept us waiting! What took you two so long? I didn’t think teleporting would take any longer than a blink of an eye!” Flint said slightly agitated, though nonetheless pleased to see the two of them.

Lucian responded calmly, “Cynthia had some family business to take care of before we left. Celestic’s not doing too well, I’m afraid.” Flint nodded in recognition. Ash and the others on the other hand didn’t catch this gesture.

“I see you’ve gotten everyone here Flint! I’m impressed!” Cynthia taunted Flint. He knew it was just a cover for his loss in battle earlier that day, but Flint just smirked back.

“Hey Cynthia, thanks for coming and everything, but I don’t get it why you want to see my last gym battle so badly.” Ash questioned.

Cynthia smiled as though hiding something, but let slip, “Well, I really do want to see your gym battle and get to know my future opponent first hand (Ash pumped his fist up just as Pikachu climbed up to his shoulders at that), but there’s also something else that I’m here for.”

Dawn jumped at that idea and asked eagerly, “What is it Cynthia? Does it involve us at all?”

Brock, who recovered from his Croagunk’s Poison Jab stood up and asked, “You know that we’d like to help with whatever you need to do.”

“I know, I know, very much so, but later.” Cynthia replied patiently. “We’ve first got to let Volkner know that we’re all here to see a gym battle.”

“You twerps ain’t goin nowhere! We’re here to steal all your Pokémon!” a scratchy voice came from behind the whole group.

Ash’s gut wrenched at that voice. Twisted between emotions of dread and annoyance, he turned around just as everyone else had. Cynthia, Lucian, and Flint all glanced up at the flying vacuum in the sky, suspended by a hot air Meowth looking puzzled like curious toddlers, but Ash, Brock, and Dawn were anything but curious. They knew that things were going to get sticky real soon.

“Team Rocket!” the three yelled in unison.

[21:23 P.M.] Cianwood City (Pokémon Center), Johto Region

“May,” Caroline began, “So far, I really don’t see why you’re so upset! That boat ride sounded so beautiful, relaxing, and even romantic!”

May sighed, remembering that day’s events. “I know mom. That’s exactly how I felt. It’s what happened afterward where everything fell through. I had just gotten off of the boat, and I wanted to find a good place to train, so I looked around and decided to go to the Olivine Lighthouse…”

[15:37 P.M.] Olivine City (Olivine Ocean), Johto Region — One Month Ago

May and Blaziken stared at the elevator’s flashing buttons which now indicated that they were close to the top. May noticed a poster plastered to the elevator walls and read, “Calling out all Pokémon Contest Coordinators, young and old, expert and beginner! Come to the Olivine City amphitheater for the Pokémon Contest event of a lifetime!”

Blaziken also noticed the poster and attempted to read on as May was reading it aloud. May turned around to face Blaziken and said, “The contest is in only a week and a half! We better work hard if we’re going to win this one Blaziken. You with me?”

Blaziken gazed out into her master’s eyes and flared up her fists in response. She looked in top condition, and May couldn’t be prouder. As the elevator doors opened up, the two of them walked together, somehow on autopilot towards the lighthouse’s ledge, overlooking the ocean.

A few moments of silence passed between the two of them as they both absorbed the relaxing breeze. Blaziken breathed deeply in and out gazing directly into the sunlight. It seemed to be giving her extra energy.

But as May likewise attempted to relax and breath in the ocean air, she couldn’t help but regret this blissfulness. Save Blaziken, she was quite alone. No one back in Sinnoh could ever take off of their journey there, and she knew this, but that feeling seemed to creep inside of her like a vine quickly growing around a pole after an afternoon shower, constricting her.

Blaziken on her right side tore her eyes away from the sun and looked towards her master. May reached into her pocket and pulled out a battered, but fully functional ribbon case, holding ever ribbon she had ever won from her journeys past. Blaziken could sense that May was troubled; perhaps the same thing that had been troubling her, Blaziken too was thinking.

“Blaze? Blaziken?” she asked softly but strongly.

May seemed caught off guard and faltered slightly saying, “Oh, oh, uh, it’s nothing Blaziken. I was just thinking about all the times we shared together. All of them seem to lie right here, in this case.” Blaziken nodded in agreement with May and beckoned her to go on.

She brought the bottom-most section of ribbons to the forefront. The little medals seemed to have lost some luster and the fabric looked tattered. “Remember these? They were our first ribbons, all the way from Fallarbor to Pacifilog.” May turned her head and looked at Blaziken affectionately. “That’s where I first met you. And the place where I met Ash…” She looked back to the ribbon case and brought forth the next set of ribbons. All of these looked well cared for, mostly because she took to polishing them more.

“And all of these,” May said, reminiscing, “are all from Kanto, when we traveled with Ash through the Battle Frontier. I can’t remember how many times he had helped us win these! He was so caring. He knew that we had a dream, and never to give up on it…”

But as she brought up the next set of ribbons, the three that lay there didn’t seem to inspire any words of reminisce for May to say. Those were the ribbons she had to fight for on her own. Somehow their perfection of sheen and fabric quality didn’t mean anything to May. That thought struck May hard.

Hesitant at this thought, she asked Blaziken, “Blaziken, did you actually enjoy any of those battles we had to get these ribbons? I can’t actually remember…”

Blaziken looked toward some point off of May’s shoulder. Come to think of it, May seemed more willing partake in those contests as a job, rather than an enjoyment… And so did I, thought Blaziken.

“Blaze, blaze,” Blaziken nodded solemnly.

May felt a bit of herself break as Blaziken said that. “It’s just…ever since we’ve left Ash…It’s just been so much harder! I don’t have him by my side anymore, giving me encouragement and help when I need it the most…”

Then a small object caught her eye. On the very last layer of the ribbon case, lay a single ribbon, cut in half, with the would-be circle in the center cut into a hemisphere, and only one section of fabric attached to the metal. It was the ribbon that Ash and May jointly won at the Terracotta Contest.

Both May Blaziken looked at the ribbon vigorously. Both were thinking about that very battle that gave May that half of the ribbon. Ash sent out his Sceptile, a very powerful, but very loyal Pokémon to Ash who put out all of its power in an effort to claim the full prize, but he never met that goal. Blaziken and May held their own and were able to manage a tie with Ash. Even though Terracotta had only one medal to offer, Ash’s Sceptile severed the ribbon into two halves. Ash held the right half, May held the left half.

Blaziken gazed at the ribbon, recalling the battle that day, and recalling the gallant warrior who never said no to a fight. Sceptile seemed to be on Blaziken’s mind a lot these days.

May carefully took her ribbon half very carefully, and gently tried to smooth out the fabric, less out of reflex, but more out of a sense of its deep worth. She looked at it deeply, longingly. This ribbon was a symbol to her, a symbol of courage, strength, and overcoming impossible odds. It was also an embodiment of encouragement, willpower, and care. But why am I so attached to this ribbon? May thought. I know it’s just a symbol of a battle with Ash…probably the best battle I have ever had with anyone…Maybe I…Maybe I…need him?

Suddenly May seemed to scold and kick herself. “No! What am I doing!? I’m starting to lose it.” She stuffed the ribbon unceremoniously back into the ribbon case, trying to push her thoughts away with it. “It’s not going to help me to rely on his help!” May forcefully told herself. Blaziken looked incredulously at May. She had never seen her try to push something out of her mind. Not to mention, this was Ash she was trying to push away! Usually she would talk it out, resolve it with someone, but then again, no human was here to hear her out anyway…

May turned away from the sea and stared resolutely towards the city amphitheater and stated plainly, “We’ve got work to do Blaziken. And relying on Ash’s help is not going to benefit us.” She turned around to Blaziken, who in turn tried to look in agreement, but somehow couldn’t muster it. Something was not right with her master, yet she continued on, “We’re going to go into that contest hall next week, and win that ribbon over by storm! What do you say Blaziken?”

Blaziken sounded off, “Blaze!” in agreement, but noticed a green haired boy with a black t-shirt underneath a vermilion jacket, with matching pants, and black shoes approaching May from behind.

“Truer words never said, May.”

May turned around and saw Drew Blackthorne, her old rival clapping his hands slowly together, giving her semi applause, lasting for a few more seconds before he spoke. “I’ve been waiting for you to finally say that.”

May raised her eyebrow completely surprised. “Drew! What the heck are you doing here—oh no, you’re not doing this contest too are you?”

Drew brought his hand up to his green hair and lazily flicked it the same way he had been since he first started Pokémon Coordinating. “No. I was thinking about doing it just for fun, but I’ve already got my five ribbons.” Drew took from his pocket a shiny ribbon case that had obviously been well attended to. “Check it out. All five, in the flesh. I have no need to partake in this contest, May.”

May stood dumbstruck. It was always like this, May thought, him being so far ahead of me. “What are you saying?” she finally asked.

Drew clicked his case closed and placed it back in his pocket. He looked at May incredulously, expecting that it was blatantly obvious. “I’m saying now that you’ve finally gotten out of Ash’s old style, and decided you need to wipe out all your competition instead of making friends with it, you can finally improve. I must say, it took you too long to realize it.”

“Hey!” May retorted, stung. “Ash helped me out a lot back in Kanto and Hoenn! You know that! Without him, I’d probably never had made it to both the Grand Festivals I went to, and probably not even half of the contests I went to!”

Drew smiled. “Alright fine. So he did. But where has that gotten you now? Hmm? Face it, May. You’ve grown soft. Look at yourself! You’ve only got three ribbons, the grand festival is in a month, and there are only two contests left; one here and one on Cianwood Island!”

May was at a total loss for words. She knew that Drew was her rival, and that he probably was just getting on her nerves on purpose, but she couldn’t help but think that maybe she did develop Ash’s style. Maybe that was why she was so far behind…

Drew casually flicked his hair again and took the initiative. “How about this, May: I’ll help you. You can win that contest in a heartbeat with just a few pointers from me! Look at where my strategies got me! Five ribbons! All five! And with a month to spare! What do you say?” Drew held out his hand for May to take.

May considered the offer for a good few moments but eventually consented and shook his hand. May wanted to let go, but Drew all of a sudden pulled her in into a sort of still dance position, and said in a sugary voice, “But first, why don’t we strategize over some dinner?”

May was stuck holding Drew’s hand, while almost falling into his arms as well. “Dinner, me? What…Drew?” May sputtered out, totally flustered. “Really? Just you and me?”

Drew smiled and started walking towards the elevator door with May still in Drew’s arms. “Just you and me.”

Blaziken off to the side watched the entire scene unfold so rapidly that she had forgotten that her jaw was slowly falling open in a mixture of confusion and conspiracy, like she had been robbed of a million Poké Dollars under her nose. Drew didn’t seem to notice.

Several steps before the elevator, May suddenly remembered that Blaziken was still standing on the lighthouse top, and tore herself out of Drew’s arms, rather quickly, withdrew Blaziken’s Poké Ball and shot the retracting beam out of the red and white orb. Blaziken shrugged her shoulders in surrender as she moved into the beam’s light, but as she was retracted into her portable home and saw May and Drew walk into the elevator together, she couldn’t help but think that this was a bad idea.

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Author's note: I'm so sorry for not working on this fiction! Things have been hectic doing AP courses and stuff, but as I promised last time, I haven't given up yet!

To midnightjewelz: Heheh, I guess this chapter will answer your question...

To EarthBorn: As always, thanks so much for your review. Your intuition is very keen, I've got to say! :P

To The Horizon: Well...I personally didn't do anything to May. :P

To CyberBlaziken and Hylton7: Thanks guys, hope you liked this one as well!

[Sp1derp1g]

The story is going well, but I won't like it if you turn it into a CS fic *shivers*

Keep it up!

[CyberBlaziken]

Yes!!Updated the story!!
Its been a long time but i dont mind.
This was a good chapter.May going on a date with Drew!!(dont like this part*shivering along with Sp1derp1g*)
There are some hints of Contestshipping that i can see.
Hahaha! Ash getting knocked over by a beach!!
I like Flint a lot in this story.

Anywayz story' comin good so dont lose hope and keep writing!!

C.BZK. Out

[Eon Master]

Wow, this is impressive.
I just finished reading your entire story and I really like where you're going with this.
From the beginning, you showed that Ash is not the same moron he was before, as well as making the whole ordeal (untill this chapter) light and humorous. Love the conversation between Brock and Flint, as well as the excuse they make up when Dawn overhears them.
I can see the plot thicken already with the interaction between May and the unmentionable     Spoiler:- click:

Show Spoiler

 
Drew (oh no, not him! XD)
 

.
Really looking forward to how you develop this story as well as (hopefully) making Ash into a Guardian of the Aura.

[Mayziken]

My turn to review I had an idea about where you was taking this fic after chapter 6, but now I can't remember what it was :S

Seriously guys why do you think lunarshadow are going to do this into a Contestshipping fic?? I can't see any reason and/or hints that he is going to do that. Yes sure it's some CS hints in this new chapter, but it's one-sided CS. Throughout chapter 7 you can clearly see that May care about Ash very much and that she has very strong feelings for him

Great chapter lunarshadow Keep up the good work

[midnightjewelz]

Hmm, the guys here dont like to see a CS moment. xD comeon. it wont be that bad right?

Anyway love how this is turning out. so i get to find out that May didn't get into the Johto Grand festival. That was my idea for my Advanceshipping oneshot. T_T

Anyway like i said before. this is gettting more and mroe interesting per chapter. i hope you update soon. ^^

[XxMays_flowerxX]

- runs around the room in panic -
EHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*twitch*
May.. and....
- tears hair out -
__________________________________________________ ________________
well anyways:
WOW! you are a VERY wonderful writer!
I just couldn't take my eye's off the screen! I must say you did a realy great job creating, and writting this fic.
I am happy to say I am adicted to your fic. and I can't wait for the next chappie!