"She said she would be here..." Brock scratched his chin, confused as to why May hadn't shown up, the battles well under way by now.

"I am going to check on her" Ash stood up. "You stay here and support Dawn, someone has to"

"Mhm, ok" Brock nodded, leaving Ash to go and see May. 

"Lets go buddy!" Ash sprinted off, feeling as if it was an emergency, Pikachu immediately challenging Ash and sprinting next to him.

She seemed a little off while telling her story, during her tournament match. A voice in her head? What has happened? Hold on May, I will be there soon. Ash thought, his brows furrowing in annoyance, preparing for anything.

Ash finally got to the lodge and he slowed down to a walk, getting his breath back. Pikachu took the opportunity to rest on Ash's shoulder.

"The whole lodge is dark..." Ash scratched his head and then knocked on the door. "Hello, May?" 

Ash decided to slowly hold the handle down and to his surprise, the door opened. It slowly creaked and opened, the sun light creating a small amount of light for Ash, who immediately noticed the lamp in the corner of the room was on. Ash then saw the silhouette in the corner.

"May?" Ash called out to the person on the bed, who didn't reply. "Are you ok?"

"Darkness will fall and your fate will be decided" May was whispering to herself, rocking back and forth in the corner. She continued to repeat herself. "Darkness will fall and your fate will be decided"

Ash immediately frowned and climbed onto the bed, grabbing onto May's shoulders. He began to shake her. "May, wake up! Whatever is inside your head is not real! Wake up!"

May stopped repeating herself and looked up at Ash, her red eyes and grinning face one that he had never recognized. But, suddenly, her eyes became normal and her face dropped, before she suddenly passed out onto Ash's lap.

Ash looked down as May, who was now unconscious and sleeping, lay down on his knees. Ash slowly got up, placing May at the right side of her bed, to keep her head supported by something more comfortable. 

"What should we do, Pikachu?" Ash asked his partner and best friend, who turned to reply.

"Nothing, is the correct answer" A figure blocked the light from the sun, it was Parker. "Oh, Ash, dear old Ash. Why couldn't you just stay at the arena and enjoy the battles? You didn't have to put your nose in someone else's business"

"What have you done to May?" Ash asked, but Parker only smirked.

"I suppose you can have some fun in here, why not" Parker then stepped back and shut the door, deciding to leave Ash as it wasn't part of his plan.

"A-Ash?" May croaked, her throat parched. Ash turned in shock and brought out some water. 

"Here, have a drink"

May coughed to clear her throat and then took a sip of water. "What's going on?" 

"You...You was going all crazy, May, are you okay?" Ash asked, sitting next to May as she too sat up, putting her head against the wall. 

She suddenly jumped at Ash, pushing her head into his chest, big sobs escaping her as tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked up at Ash, a weak, innocent face that was scared for her own sanity.

"It is horrible Ash, the voices I hear" She wiped the tears from her eyes and held onto Ash like he was the only sane person left. "I need help, but I don't know what to do"

Ash calmly held onto her arms and pushed May up so she was making eye contact with him. Then, his face became serious.

"I am here to help, no matter what happens. Explain everything to me" Ash then let go of May, who stifled a sob and then sat back down next to the wall.

"There is this voice, in my head. I can't quite explain it. Almost like is taking over me" May sniffed, wiping more tears from her eyes.

"Like a spirit consuming you?" Ash wondered to himself, but he said it out loud. 

May nodded in reply. "I am not too sure I believe in paranormal activity, but that could be a possibility" 

"What does it say?" Ash asked. "Because it did start happening during your match against Elizabeth. 

"Something about darkness and how there will be judgement brought to the Kanto region. That it needs my help to succeed" May looked at Ash with eyes he had never seen before. They went beyond fear, they was completely devoid of any life, scared and worried, not ready for what may happen next. 

"I am guessing then, that there is some sort of machine on you now, maybe even inside of you, somehow, that is enabling someone to speak directly into your head and his or her words will be the cause of your worry" Ash hypothesised and May giggled.

"I think that is the smartest thing you have ever come up with" She laughed, wiping more tears from her eyes.

"Glad to see you are laughing" Ash smiled back, before going back to the matter at hand. "Do you remember anything from 15 minutes ago"

"Hmm" May put a hand on her chin and thought about it momentarily. "I remember being in bed and getting up, but everything seems blank after that. Then, you are suddenly here when I wake up"

This is bad. Ash instantly thought, getting up.

"I came in and you was talking to your self, rocking back and forth. Then you suddenly collapsed on me and I put you back into bed.

May's face turned red and she looked away. "How embarrassing, sorry" She apologized. 

"There is no need to apologize. Maybe taking your mind off of this will be better for you" Ash suggested.

"What shall we do then?" May wondered, making Ash raise an eyebrow.

"Go and watch Dawn's match of course" Ash said like, duh.

"But I am hungry!" May smiled and then Ash did too.

"Ok, we can go and get something to eat first" He agreed, Pikachu slowly waking up from Ash's shoulder at the mention of food.

The three of them headed to a diner not too far from the lodge and ordered a burger each, Pikachu eating some Pokemon food made by Brock and Cilan. 

"You feeling better?" Ash asked as he looked over at May.

"Much, thanks for asking" May replied with another smile. "This takes me back to our time in the Hoenn region" She said, nostalgia hitting home. 

"You was dragging me off to go eat an awful lot" Ash laughed, finishing up his burger. 

"Not just that, the fun and laughter we shared throughout the journey" May looked over at Ash, who looked back.

"All my journeys have been great fun, that's why you guys are all awesome!" Ash replied, turning to Pikachu. "Right buddy?"

"Pika!" Pikachu spoke for the first time today, but instantly turned back to his food.

"Well, I am finished now so we can go to the tournament" May got up and Ash followed, turning to Pikachu again. 

"Time to go, buddy, you can eat the rest later"

Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder hesitantly, while he bagged the food. They all headed to the arena, so they could support Dawn.

"So, who else is in today's matches?" May asked as they walked down the path leading to the stadiums that could be seen in the distance. 

"Erm..." Ash thought for a moment and then nodded to himself in confirmation of his thoughts. "Clemont and Iris are"

"Oh, so that means Brock and Misty still have their battles to go now. We all got chosen pretty quickly" May commented and Ash nodded in agreement.

"Even all of Team Shadow have had their matches. Seems like it will be a few extra days of rest for us all at this rate" Ash sighed, thinking of the relaxing time he could have for three or four days.

"Say, Ash?" May stopped walking, about twenty feet away from the main arena.

"What is it?" Ash stopped next to May and turned, looking down at her.

"Thanks alot" She looked up and smiled, before rising onto her tip toes and surprising Ash as she kissed his cheek. "Really, thank you" She smiled again. 

"Er...Your welcome" Ash put his hand on his cheek and looked at May as she calmly skipped down the path and into the main arena. 

What the hell... Ash thought properly for once, no dense thoughts were possible after Serena and Miette. Don't tell me there is three girls now! He groaned in his head, before following May inside. 

Questions were best saved for later.

They both didn't see the person on the far right, watching them as they walked in.

Misty watched Ash with her arms folded, before following them into the main arena.

---------

Everyone likes a little bit of drama, am I right?

Bet no one was expecting this kind of chapter to appear xD 

Onwards, to the next chapter! Hope you enjoyed.