Chapter 46

Cilan felt exhausted after the small trip they had taken. Iris had retreated to the girls room along with May after they got back. No need to question why, May had smiled as she waved to Manaphy goodbye. She managed to smile and continue conversations but her eyes kept watering.

“This sort of thing.” Drew moaned as he sat in the lobby. “I don’t know how we are supposed to deal.”

“If you can’t take May going all teary eyed. How are you going to take Misty getting Misty?” Gary mumbled kicking the base of a potted plant.”

“Not my job.” Drew laughed.

“I’m glad I won’t have that problem.” Paul grunted playing with a strange knot in his hand.

“Misty won’t.” Ash interrupted. “You can count on her staying strong. Besides that and this is totally different.”

“These random legendaries popping up around you.” Drew said throwing a cushion at Ash who easily caught it. “Please stop it. It’s like you are a myth book and we have quizzes every moment.”

“Sorry.” Ash grinned, he did not look the least bit sorry.

“You know the thing is. Now that we have Misty and Ash back. Now that they are out the clinic and the anything else. Don’t the rest of you have problems?” Cilan commented. Drew tossed a dirty look in his direction.

“Don’t start. You have no idea how I’m envying you on how easy you have it. Every time I turn I’m seeing that guy. Every time Paul takes a step he has to be seeing that puppy. Every time Ash breathes that guy turns up.”

Cilan grinned. “Don’t know what you could possibly mean.”

“Yes you do.” Paul yawned. “It’s worst for Drew. He finds me terrifying.”

“Do not go there. I’m ready to shake that classless jerk down.” Drew sniffed flicking his hair back.

“He knows what he will be running into.” Ash said clenching his fist as Pikachu sat on his shoulders giving him a worried look.

“How long will we have them around?” Drew questioned aloud. “That includes you.” He informed Gary who rolled his eyes.

“I might turn up at Misty’s apparent showdown. That is it. Might see you guys before you leave but I won’t bet on it.” Gary said frowning up at the ceiling.

“Thank mercies.” Drew smiled.

“I think those guys will be tagging along.” Cilan said running through in his head all he had been told. “Barry for sure plans on separating often. He has a run about schedule. Most it does not make sense.”

“That’s normal.” Ash dismissed.

“After that well it is wait and see. Georgio and Kenny do not warm up to me as much as Brendan does.” Cilan confessed. “After the rescue I fear I may learn even less.”

“Tell you what.” Drew mused. “We all know what this is leading to. Maybe not Ash but still we have a fair idea. Anyone want to bet on the odds?”

Cilan felt warmth burst in his heart. Even though he was infinitely glad he did not have to face the trouble the others had he was glad to know that they were not letting anything get them down.

“Count me in.” He laughed.

“Better keep this a secret from Iris.” Gary laughed.

“From all the girls.” Ash added as he tapped Pikachu on the nose. “Even PikaPals buddy. This is between men.”

“I’m willing to do a wager.” Paul said sliding forward in his seat.

“In that case. Let it begin.” Drew grinned removing a pen and paper from his pocket.

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Drew lay back alone in his room alone looking at his ceiling. Everyone had gone out at least he thought they did. It was only early evening but already he guessed people had stuff to do. He was worried about May just a little but there was no way he was making tower idiot’s mistake.

Sometimes they were better off alone and May looked like the last thing she wanted was anyone to see her crying face. Drew knew he should do some training maybe play with his Pokémon but he felt out of sorts.

Sitting up he contemplated his hands. Even though he washed them earlier they felt dirty, maybe from accidentally touching that guy’s bag earlier. Stupidity could become solid.

Getting up sighing Drew went to the bathroom and winced at his reflection. No mask, no glamour just a tired looking Drew. It was something he felt he could get depressed over. By a lot. Washing his hands slowly Drew avoided his reflection.

Drew gave a sigh when he heard a small click coming from outside the door. Shrugging it off as one of the others maybe returning. Something seemed off though so Drew slowly turned off the type.

The thought that maybe it was that guy sneaking in for some stupid reason. Drew wanted to put the guy in his place but someplace not so weird.

“Drew?” A soft whisper floated to him. Drew flicked his eyes to his reflection before forcing his normal face to appear.

“Here.” He answered swinging the bathroom door open.

“Oh.” May turned around from looking at the beds to face him. Drew noted the red eyes. Clenched hands and pale skin keeping his face impartial. It was not his job to judge he was an outsider in this matter.

“Need something clueless?” He asked her shaking his hands to dry them. A smile flickered across her face before she smoothed her hands over the sheet of Paul’s bed.

“No, not really. Just wanted to stay with you a bit. I knew you were in your room but I thought you were sleeping.” She said trailing her fingers over the sheet.

“Well I’m not.” Drew said as he passed her and stretched out back on his bed. “Just thinking.”

“Me too.” She answered sitting on the edge of the bed. Drew stiffened. He really did not want to chase her away but this was not such a good thing.

“May-“ He started.

“Drew do you think it is good that I value the hurt?” She asked her face turned away from him.

“What?” He asked struggling to sit up. That was totally out of the blue. Or maybe it was not. Looking at her tensed up shoulders Drew ran her words over in his mind.

“Value the hurt? You mean the hurt of loving something and letting them leave?” Drew watched her shoulders tense even more.

“Yes.” She whispered.  Drew stretched out on the bed again. “I don’t know. That sort of hurt comes because of the bond you share with others. When you think about it if you want to be rid of those feelings it sort of means you don’t want the bond anymore.”

Drew took a deep breath and sighed. “I think that bond is everything. It proves to you something mean full if only to you happened. It means something important and worthwhile occurred. Because of that you may feel hurt but I think that should be valued.”

Drew sat up and pulled May’s back to his front she went without a struggle. “If we did not value the hurt we feel when that bond is severed or tangled or even left slack for a while. Are we not saying that this is not worth it?”

“Drew?” May whispered.

“Yeah?” He answered tucking his head into her nape.

“Thank you for understanding.” She said.

“No problem.” He said as his eyes closed. At least this had been easy.

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Paul found himself in a unique situation. He was cornered. He had just left the centre to enter a small one on one tournament. Dawn had gone off to research. His day should have ended with him returning to the Pokémon centre to see her.

Instead he was facing her childhood friend a good distance away from the centre. Paul could tell the guy was nervous but he was not in the mood to do anything.

“We need to talk.” Kenny said his voice bouncing on the buildings on the empty street they were on. Paul just huffed as he made to walk past the guy. He was halted by Kenny stepping to the side getting in his way.

“I said we need to talk.” Kenny said his voice stronger. “You may be stronger than me or whatever but it doesn’t mean you can ignore me and walk past me like I don’t exist.”

“You say we need to talk but it is really you who wants to talk. We have nothing to talk about.” Paul said shoving hands into pockets.

“You think I want to talk to you? That is the last thing I want to do but we have to talk and we are going to talk. About Dawn.”

“Dawn is not something we can talk bout. Unless you have something to tell me about her past you think will amuse me somehow.”

“No, I want to tell you about my feelings.”

“I don’t do confessions from guys.” Paul interrupted casually and watched frustration bloom on Kenny’s face.

“I care about Dawn a lot.”

“As do all her friends.” Paul put in.

“I was with her for a long time.” Kenny continued.

“Not recently.” Paul noted.

“She cares for me too.”

“Dawn cares for everyone I notice.” Paul sighed.

“What are you getting at?” Kenny demanded. “I’m trying to tell you to keep getting between me and Dawn.”

“I’m letting you know.” Paul sighed. “That to Dawn you are not anything special. In fact you are like any other friend. You don’t stand out except for being a childhood friend. Nothing like what you imagine. You might like her but she does not like you. That’s why I’m here, for her to like.”

“You are so arrogant.” Kenny gritted out clenching his fists.

“Being truthful is not being arrogant.” Paul said brushing past Kenny. “You said what you wanted and I pointed out to you the reality. Now stop bothering me and go do something. I’m not as nice as Ash or lenient as Drew. I treat opponents in my way harshly and quickly.”

“Pray tell you won’t do it in the road.” Georgio’s voice came from behind Paul. Paul looked around him to see Georgio approaching with two ice cream cones.

“I don’t care where I am. I will get anyone out of my. Especially bothersome ones like you and him.” Paul said turning back around.

“So that is your true feelings then.” Georgio called out.

“I never hid them. Not once did I do anything to hint towards me accepting you as people I would acknowledge. Not once did I do anything to suggest I like you. I stayed back. I don’t like you, your methods or your ways. I can’t say I hate you I just don’t care about you.”

“And you think you re the person Dawn needs.” Kenny muttered shaking his head.

“She could have said no. She had so many times. Every time I’m with her I give her that chance to step away. It is not that I think I’m perfect for Dawn. I’m who and what she wants. So before you go off on a tangent. Remember you can’t force people to like you.” Paul chuckled a little as he set off again to the Centre.

“Georgio.” Paul said stopping s he though on something. “Let me be  nice person for once. See Ash is not what he seems. You keep hunting down a girl who does not want you. You will be getting a nasty surprise. That guy is not all smiles.”

Waving his hand in the air as a goodbye Paul put the thought of such people out of his head. He was not afraid to battle it out with Kenny but it would bother Dawn and she would feel guilty. This guy Kenny. That guy Georgio. They had almost no idea how much trouble they were.”

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Misty sat on the grass by the lake just thinking. Lugia was in the water being lazy, leaving her alone which was fine. She wanted to think.

It seemed that every time she thought she had a few moments to herself. Or that she understood and could handle the current situation it went up sided down gain. Frustrating.

The Aura thing was not bad. She could not do it with everything and everyone. It was not a battle ability she supposed but more of  recreational something. Her sisters would be able to work it into their shows somehow.

Misty smiled thinking about Daisy. Daisy would have some plot outlined from just hearing about it. The costumes would be terrifying. Either ancient looking or horrifyingly scanty. And just somehow Misty would have to be the lead.

Sometimes older sisters could be such a pain. Honestly all she wanted to do was train, travel, be with Water Pokémon and relax. Misty knew she loved the happy faces of those who came to events but she still just liked things to be  bit more peaceful.

Like those lazy days when she tagged along with Ash. Misty sighed. Those days were long gone, she was no longer that person. It was not that she could go off now and tag along with him again.

He had to gain his dream she had to perfect hers. This trip if anything. Showed her how much she meant to him and how much her dream meant to her.

She was not that girl that delayed going straight for her dream because she was enjoying her adventures. She was that girl that lived her dream and did what she could to make that dream even better.

Lugia gave a keening noise and Misty absently waved her hand in his direction. With her thoughts there was no way she could just fall asleep. Her thoughts she needed to straighten out.

He had his dream. Ash, was he even capable of staying still? Misty chuckled soundlessly. She had to admit a guy not out enjoying adventures was sort of boring.

Maybe when he achieved his dream, one day when he accomplished what he wanted to do she might think it all over but the sad fact still remained.

She had a gym to run a town to help support a duty to striving trainers everywhere. In a way Ash was one of those trainers. It did not mean she would go easy on him. if anything she would be even harder on him than everyone else.

Still it made her hold back. Even though she had been all this time fighting the hopes. Pushing away the dreams and playing what ifs. She did really and truly love Ash. All this time maybe forever but she was no longer a kid.

There would be no rash confessions no crazy anything that could mess her advancement up. She really did love him, that dense him with that big heart sometimes he shone so bright she felt she could never reach him.

Now he was striving to pass her and stand above her again. Until he got there, she had to show him what she was capable of. She had to show him sights he had never seen before. This race with Ross was the best place to do it.

Her eyes drifted closed. The main reason why she came to the lake was to practice. She knew what she wanted to do. Her heart was set on winning but she wanted to show off too. She wanted to make it that she shone the brightest.

Her eyes opened again and she sat up with a harsh sigh. This thinking and thinking was getting her nowhere. She had to get up and take action, reaching into her pocket she took out Marill’s pokeball releasing her.

“Marill let’s get some training done.” She smiled. Looking at where Lugia waited her smile widened. No matter the training Ross was undoubtedly doing there was no way he could possibly beat weather conditions a water Legendary could create.

“Let’s go!” She cheered.

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Everyone looked exhausted to Cilan. They were all together eating dinner yet the conversation was broken and full of disinterest. Ash looked like he had endured a hard training session even covered in a little mud.

Misty looked like she had been swept through a hurricane, her hair every which way but she was glowing. Her smile bright even as she fell into absent mindedness every now again. Dawn was in the same condition her hair fuzzy and frizzy but Cilan wisely held his town.

May looked normal as she was possible of doing but her eyes were just a little tired. Her hands shook a little as she leaned against Drew’s shoulder obviously fighting sleep. In comparison Drew for once looked worn out for once.

His hair looking limp the only sign this coordinator might be tired. Cilan glanced at the others, Gary was absently talking to Barry and Bianca and playing with his food. Georgio, Angie and Kenny were in deep conversation and Brendan was staring into space.

Looking next to him Cilan smiled. The table might be in disarray but Iris was playing with Axew with no care in the world. If anything she was not bothered. Just like Iris, almost like if she sensed him staring she looked up with a soft smile.

His heart twitched, it hurt thinking that they had different paths in life to take. He had his dream and she had hers. He would like to stay this way forever but he knew better than that.

Looking back at Misty and Ash, Cilan felt just a touch of hope. Before he had his doubts but now he had nothing but hope. He did not know what it was that Drew knew that he was not telling but still there was a drastic change.

Those two without anyone noticing had gotten closer. If he was to guess he would even say they worked something out. They did not seem to need words to speak now. Even though they would go their separate ways when this all ended. Those two would actually be fine.

If those two could be fine, maybe he would be too.

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Misty’s excitement was pouring off her almost vibrating the air with it. Ash had to keep stifling his grin. She really and truly was psyched for this next event. He knew she had been with Lugia earlier and training he had seen her trailing in soaked from head to foot.

Just thinking about her training made him wish he had trained even harder but he was curious over the egg. It looked close to hatching so he kept a careful eye on it as he and Pikachu trained. They made progress. Dratini would not be bowing to anyone now.

Pikachu neither, they all would be something to be reckoned with now. Ash so badly wanted to put on a show like Misty had. Leave the audience in awe like Misty had. Whenever when he thought about it he felt deep chills in his heart.

She looked so powerful, and beautiful. It was a sight he wanted to see over and over again. That look he wanted to see when he next battled her. That calm powerful look. Seeing her battle was almost enough for him but he wanted a better sight.

And he wanted her to see him at his best. To feel chills like how he felt chills when he watched her. He wanted her feel that clenching in her chest. That uncertainty that she could match it. He wanted her to be overwhelmed by his battling like how he was.

Reaching out Ash lightly stroked a strand of her hair causing her to laugh at him. that expression on her face. She could cause him to feel so much. Was it really a crime wanting her to feel the same?

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Finally they were leaving the town of so many secrets. Drew felt distinctly uncomfortable that so many had come to see him off. He felt really uncomfortable that Lugia was seeing them off. Misty was to the side having a heart to heart via Aura with the beast but still.

This sending off was distinctly uncomfortable. Gary had left earlier. The young professor had waved a merry goodbye and left while the girls were still wiping sleep out of their eyes. They guy was okay. A bit weird but pretty alright.

Drew chuckled he was going to miss his verbal sparring partner the guy could give as good as he could get. That and he had no interest in the girls there whatsoever. He hugged Dawn, teased Misty but it was more of a big brother air.

As if he was some sort of big brother. Drew snorted. The professor was wacky. Georgio and Kenny had gotten a call and left with Brendan and Barry. Drew felt like jumping for joy. Barry was fine a bit annoying when he got psyched but the others were welcomed to leave.

The Angie girl was staying behind though so Drew felt Misty was doing her own sigh of relief. Angie had been giving off some strong death glares. Now it was just his original group and Misty and the girls including Bianca. Not that Drew minded.

Stretching a bit Drew ignored the curious on lookers as they waited on the bus. Zorua was on his shoulder pretending to be sleeping. One thing he learned about his new catch is that she loved tricking people and giving off mistaken impressions.

She wanted to give off the impression she was lazy so she pretended to sleep a lot. She moved lazy too. He really caught himself a good trump card. A card he could not wait to help crush Brendan. The next time he was to see the guy was after Misty’s event.

When that time came Drew was planning to put this thing to rest once for all. The tower king would be sitting on a pile of rubble if he had anything to do with it.

“See you soon.” Misty’s voice travelled to his ears.

“Don’t be a stranger and work hard!” Ash yelled.  Drew turned around in time to see the Lugia begin to flap its wings. The air picked up and dirt swirled everywhere. That beast was really strong. Freakishly so.

Ash placed his hand around Misty’s waist as they waved goodbye to the Lugia. Drew bit the inside of his cheek. The image they were presenting. Looking so casual. Were they really serious? They looked like parents seeing off their child on the first day of school.

Not two people seeing off a living legend. They were really and seriously too casual about this whole thing. Drew’s eyes fell to the egg Ash had cradled in his other arm. The only good thing he felt Ash got from those weird people.

To be able to put them behind him. Drew was eager for it. They were a good three fourths done with their journey. It was soon time to be going home, back to what they were doing before they came here. Had he gotten what he wanted?

A new card. A new vision yes. But now had he tied May to him properly? Was she going to run again? Would she disappear again and bring someone weird to the table?

Would he lose his inspiring rookie? Drew looked down to where May stood next to him chatting with Dawn who leaned sleepily against Paul.

No, he had this one. His inspiring , buddle of surprise May. She was not going anywhere. No matter where she went or what she did. He was her goal. Once he kept up his end of the deal and stayed something to strive for.

She would chase him and strive towards him. no matter what happened who she met. Once he in her eyes remained the goal she was incapable of surpassing she would charge right back.

After trying and falling, she would pick herself up. Wipe her eyes, bite back tears, look at everything fresh and come after him with her biggest weapons. It was so May to do that. It was how she thought, how she reacted.

She would run him down no matter what. He was her first rival, the first person she was unable to beat. He was so deeply connected to her she would be unable to tear away from his grasp if she tried.

There would be no running. That red thread of fate had them so tightly wound and tangled he could no longer escape if he tried to.

Everywhere he went he would see her. Meet her or think of her. When the day came that he took the crown wholly for himself. When he became the best.

He would look down his throne and see her charging up towards him sword in hand to take it from him. they would one day war for the crown. If he got it she would come after him again and again until one day she gets his or one for himself.

After that? Who knew. Drew secreted a smile for himself. He could not see so far ahead. He had his goals. He did not know what lay ahead after he got them.

After he got his dream and she got hers. Who knew what would await them? He never really imagined what happened next, but did it really matter?