Hello, ContestShippers! My name is Cakedecorator, but if you want to, call me 'Carly'. This is a jumbled-up version of my favorite Disney Princess movie, "The Princess And The Frog", but instead, it's "The Princess And The Politoed"! All of us ContestShippers are going to be in for a treat, because this story is May and Drew-centered with some twists along the way. You're going to see that there will be some obvious plot differences, so pay attention to those. And we'll also have a few characters playing other roles in this story, too. Before you read this story, though, check out my PenguinShipping story "Beauty And The Breloom".
So… LET'S GET STARTED!
'The evening star is shining bright… So make a wish, and hold on tight. There's magic in the air tonight… And anything can happen…' A song sang.
It was early evening… The sun had set over Petalburg City, the stars were just starting to come out, the sky was darkening, and all of the Pokémon were starting to fall asleep.
In the heart of Petalburg City was a very fashionable house. On the top floor of the house, there were two little girls. One of the girls had blue eyes and blue hair, and the other one had blue eyes and brown hair. They were both dressed as little princesses, and then a woman, who had lighter-brown hair and lavender-pink eyes was reading them the story of "The Politoed Prince".
"… 'And then the Politoed looked up to the princess with his most desperate face ever. He told her, 'Please, Princess! Only you have the power to set me free from this blasted spell! Only your kiss can do it. Please!'"
"My favorite part is coming up, May! I can't wait!" The blue-haired girl told her playmate, May.
"You know how I feel about that scene, Dawn," May told her friend, Dawn. "It's just so gross."
"Don't cover your ears, May!" Dawn said.
"'The princess was so touched by his plea for help, that she held out her arms, allowing the poor Politoed to hug her. As he ran into her arms, the princess smiled at the Politoed. She was so sad to think that it would most likely be the last time she'd ever see him, she bent down…'" May's mother, Caroline, said.
May was shivering while Dawn was eager, and Dawn forced May to keep from covering her ears, but May would have none of it, as she struggled against it.
"'She pursed her lips… And with all of her compassion and kindness, she kissed the Politoed on the forehead.'" Caroline said.
"Aw!" Dawn cooed.
"EW!" May gagged, as she went green in the face for a split second. Her stomach then relaxed, as her mother continued with the story.
"'The Politoed, as if by magic, was then changed from a Pokémon to a handsome Prince. He and the princess were wed the very next day, and they lived happily ever after.'" Caroline said.
"Sigh… What a sweet ending!" Dawn said.
"The thought of kissing a Politoed makes me want to puke…" May muttered.
"Yeah. After all, just because you wish for something doesn't make it true," Dawn said. "And besides that, it's unrealistic to think that you can just kiss a Pokémon and then end up with the love of your life."
Caroline nodded, and was about to take out another story, "Snow White And The Seven Dunsparce" when she noticed Dawn's mother, Johanna, was walking towards the door of the villa.
"I see your mother coming, Dawn," Caroline said. "It's time for me and May to head home."
"Aw…" Dawn said. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?"
May nodded, as the house's Glameow started rubbing May's face with affection. Johanna then came in, and hugged Dawn while saying, "Thank you for babysitting again, Caroline."
"Anything for my best customer," Caroline said. "I just hope we can have May and Dawn see each other again tomorrow."
"Yay!" May and Dawn cheered together, as they soon parted ways that night.
As May and Caroline took the trolley back to the Petalburg Gym, which was what they called home, May was looking at all of the city lights and admiring how beautiful her hometown was during the evenings.
Once they were back at the Gym, May was helping her father, Petalburg Gym Leader Norman, cook dinner, while her mother was tending to two-year-old Max, May's little brother, by cradling him.
"Here! Done!" May said, as she put some sliced berries into the bowl.
"Are you sure?" Norman asked, as he picked up a fork to sample some of the food.
"Sure am!" May said, smiling.
Norman was about to putt he fork into the fruit, to taste the dish when…
"Hold it!" May said, as she added a little lemon to the dish and put the berry salad onto some toasted bread.
She then cut a little bit of the sandwich off, and ate it before nodding, and saying, "Yep. Done."
Norman then ate the sandwich, and then he smiled, saying, "May, this is the best sandwich I've ever eaten! Caroline, our little girl's got a gift!"
"That will be perfect when you make Pokéblock!" Caroline said, as she knew that both May and Dawn wanted to go into Contests when they got older.
"Thanks, mom!" May said.
As Caroline and Norman were putting May to bed, they were all talking about their dreams.
Norman, in particular, had one dream: the Gym was getting so run-down, that it needed a full renovation. He hoped that maybe one day the money he made as Gym Leader, as well as Caroline's babysitting duties would help improve the income enough to renovate the entire Gym.
"Hopefully, someday we'll have enough money to renovate the Gym completely," Norman said, as he gave May a picture of what the Gym would look like after the renovations. "People will come from regions around, just to get a chance to battle me!"
"Or Max." May said.
"That's right, honey!" Norman said.
May then noticed something outside the window, and said, "Mommy, Daddy, look!"
She then went to the window, and said, "Dawn's fairytale book said that if you make a wish on the evening star, it's going to come true, no doubt!"
"Well, you wish and you dream with all of your heart, honey!" Caroline said, hugging her daughter.
"Yes, and hold on to that wish," Norman said. "But remember: that star can only take you part of the way. The rest, you're on your own with that. Just work hard, and you can do anything you want."
"I already know that, Dad. You can't just wait for your dreams to come true: you need to make them happen yourself." May said.
"Exactly," Caroline said. "But I need you to promise us one thing."
"What's that?" May asked.
"That you never… ever lose sight of what's really important." Norman said, as he held Caroline's hand.
May then nodded, making the vow, and then she got a kiss on the forehead from both her parents, as she was tucked into bed.
"Get some rest, honey." Norman said, as he and Caroline left the room, and turned off the lights before closing the door.
As soon as the door shut, May got up, and then went to the window with the paper of the renovated Gym. She looked at the star with hope, as the light of the star reflected in her blue eyes. May smiled, and as she hugged the paper, she said, "Please, please, please…"
However, she then heard something, and looked to her side to see a Politoed. She shivered a little bit, and as soon as Politoed started clapping, May screamed, and darted straight out of her bedroom, in fright.
Fast-forward fourteen years, and the layout of the room differed. There were books on interior design and several issues of "Gym Leaders' Monthly" scattered all over the floor. There were also several books on Pokémon Contests.
May, now nineteen years old, came into the room, with her hair unkempt and wearing a Contest dress with a belt with several Poké Balls on it, and she was wearing some shoes. The outfit was slightly disheveled, and May yawned before going to a drawer. May kicked off her shoes, and then she went to her dresser.
She opened a drawer, and she soon took out a purse that she had, and said, "Ugh… In terms of tips, last night was a disaster…"
May placed the coins and bills into a tin can and then pushed it back, where many more filled cans were.
May then closed the drawer, and picked up a photo of her father, Norman, before saying, "Don't worry, dad. Max, Mom and I will make sure the Gym is in top shape soon."
As music started to play, May then collapsed on her bed, falling asleep. However, she only got about five to ten minutes of sleep before her alarm went off. She then got up and smacked the 'off' button on the alarm, and then she went to her closet before taking out another outfit.
"Good night, Contest classes… Good morning, performances…" May said, as she snatched another outfit.
May then hopped onto the trolley that came by her house, and she looked to see Petalburg City in full business.
"In the land of Hoenn, there's a city, way up on the river."
May was inside the trolley, reading "Coordinators' Style" for her Pokémon Contests. One boy around her age was eying her, and then he pulled out a flower, just as May ducked under him to get off at her stop, and the boy noticed May was gone.
"Where the women are very pretty, and all the men deliver."
As May got off the trolley, some musicians, who were marching and dancing, soon blocked her. She tried moving around them, but they kept marching around her, and with her goal in sight, she soon found an opening.
"They got music, it's always playing. Start in the daytime, go all through the night."
However, a trombone playing got in the way again, and then a dancer spun May around. She soon had enough, and in an angry huff, May ran off to the Contest Hall, where she worked.
"When you hear that music playing, listen to what I'm saying, it make you feel alright."
May tossed a Poké Ball out, and then she released her Beautifly, which was sparkling in the spotlights. The little ones were watching, and they were all clapping with delight at seeing Beautifly.
"Grab somebody, come on down."
May made a command, and Beautifly was soon spinning while using Silver Wind to wrap itself in the move. It almost looked like that Beautifly was wearing a silver cloak. Beautifly mesmerized everyone in the audience.
"Bring a paintbrush, we're painting the town!"
May made another command, and Beautifly's eyes started to glow with a light blue aura, and then the Silver Wind stopped in its tracks before exploding into silver sparkles, impressing everyone. Beautifly then landed on May's head, causing May to laugh.
"There's some sweetness going around! Catch you here in Petalburg."
Meanwhile, outside, there was a desk that advertised witchcraft as a way to help people get what they want in life. There was a man with purple hair, dressed as a Cacturne, doing a tarot reading.
"We got magic, good and bad."
The man he was doing it for took off his hat and revealed he was bald. The purple-haired man then put some magic powder on a card, and then blew it in his client's face, giving him a full head of hair.
"Make you happy or make you real sad."
However, when he tried flirting with the girl he liked, the hair grew all over his body, and out of control, causing the woman to scream and sic her Poochyena on him.
"Get everything you want, lose what you had, down here in Petalburg."
In a back alley, the purple-haired man was laughing as he pocketed the coin he ripped off. The purple-haired man then witnessed Johanna, being driven by her chauffer, as she paid for a newspaper, and then tipped heavily on the boy selling it. Seeing the wad of cash, the little boy soon started jumping for joy. As Johanna's car sped past, the Cacturne-dressed man was dumbfounded by her vast wealth. His shadow then started moving on its own. It took the coin out, and put it into his owner's hand. He then gripped the coin angrily as he grit his teeth in jealousy.
"Hey, partner, don't be shy. Come on down here and give us a try. You wanna do some livin' before you die. Do it here in Petalburg."
Johanna then picked up the newspaper to read it. The headline was that a prince named Drew was coming to Petalburg City. The picture image of the prince's face then became colored, revealing his green hair, and emerald-green eyes. Said prince was on a boat that he came in through. There was a large crowd, and everyone was screaming to see him; cameras snapping pictures, signs and banners up, the whole shebang. His valet, an older man with darker green hair, and brown eyes, was carrying all of the suitcases and bags Drew brought.
Drew then ripped off all of his royal attire, his crown included, to reveal some casual clothes he had brought, including a fedora, and then he took out a Poké Flute and started playing, as he ran down to the girls below. All the girls started screaming, crowding around him, and giggling as Drew started to play; he noticed a jazz band, and then he soon left the girls, who screamed and followed him. His valet, Butch, then stepped in Drew's crown, and then he fell down the entire stairs to the dock, much to his dismay.
"Stately homes and mansions, of the Berry Barons and the Poffin Queens."
Meanwhile, Johanna's car came up to her villa, and then Dawn got into the car. Johanna handed her daughter the newspaper, and then after telling Dawn something that no one heard, Dawn clapped her hands in delight, as she was happy to hear the news.
"Rich people, poor people, all got dreams. Dreams come true in Petalburg City…"
Back at the Contest Hall, May was feeding her Pokémon, and they were thrilled with the food. As she did, the band came by, and Drew was playing his Poké Flute again; he noticed May from the corner of his eye, took off his hat, and flashed her a debonair smile, but May merely rolled her eyes, put her Pokémon back into their Poké Balls, and then went back inside the Contest Hall. Drew shrugged it off casually, and kept playing his ukulele happily, as Johanna's car came up to the Contest Hall.
A valet was ready with the car, while at the opening of a back alley, the Cacturne-dressed, purple-haired man was hanging around, while fiddling with one of his tarot cards.
"Okay, May, it's time for the next demo." Vivian, May's boss said.
"Right!" May said, with a nod.
May's main job at the Contest Hall was to put on miniature performances with her Pokémon. Both her night and day jobs were being Pokémon Contest instructors for up-and-coming Coordinators that were just getting started, and needed some instruction, or for kids who were too young to get their own Pokémon that wanted to become Coordinators.
"Okay, On Stage!" May shouted, as she tossed another Poké Ball into the air.
For the demonstration this time, May was using her Wartortle, instead of her Beautifly. May had Wartortle spin and use Bubble to act as spherical mirrors for the light coming from the spotlights, which caused them to sparkle.
Everyone in the crowd was watching in awe as May and Wartortle kept their performance going. Next, May had Wartortle stand on its front arms and use an Aqua Tail. The sparkling lights from the bubbles shinned down on Wartortle's tail, as well as the water coming out from it, causing Wartortle, and its tail, to shine and sparkle, too.
"Finish!" May shouted, as Wartortle slammed its tail on the stage, spreading the water, and then it stood on its tail while smiling, as did May.
"Excellent!" Vivian said. "Notice how May used some of the outside environment to her advantage in her appeal by using the lights from the stage to enhance Wartortle's Bubble, and used that enhancement to overall improve her appeal? That is a perfect example of being able to use your limited environment with split-second timing and lack of constant exposure to that scenery!"
Everyone started murmuring and taking notes as May and Wartortle took a bow and then May put her Pokémon back in its ball.
"Okay, everyone, let's take five." Vivian said, as she clapped her hands.
"Hey, May!" A voice said, as May turned to the side of the stage and saw some of her friends. They were all waiting for her off stage, and were waving her over.
"Hey, guys!" May said, as she ran offstage and met up with her pals.
There was Timmy Grimm from Verdanturf Town, Kelly from Lilycove City, Grace from Fallarbor Town, Misty, the Gym Leader from Cerulean City, and Zoey from Snowpoint City.
"We're going to go out to a dance hall tonight for some Spanish dancing! Care to join us?" Kelly asked.
"Yeah, come on! Live a little!" Timmy said. "It's the Petalburg Festival!"
"Besides, I'm sure your Pokémon would love it; they work so hard, they need a break." Grace said.
"Come on, guys, you know how I am with crowds," May said, waving her hands. "Besides, I'm working a double shift tonight so…"
"So you can help make money to renovate the Gym, I get it…" Zoey said, putting her hand to her forehead. "May, working is all you ever do!"
"May!" Vivian said.
"I'll try next time… Maybe…" May said, as she headed back to the stage.
"I knew she'd decline…" Kelly said.
May regretfully looked back to them, and then Vivian interrupted May's thoughts by asking, "Talking about the Petalburg Gym again?"
May merely nodded.
"May, I know you'll be able to save enough money to renovate that Gym! With your hardworking determination and your entire family pitching in, it will happen!" Vivian said.
"Thanks, Vivian," May said. "Ever since Max took over as Gym Leader, sure, the Gym has still gotten rave reviews for being a challenge to defeat, but interior design and safety is a tad questionable…"
"Ever since Norman…" Vivian said, but she dropped the subject. She knew May well enough not to bring up her father.
Norman, May's father, was the former Petalburg Gym Leader, prior to her brother, Max. Norman was diagnosed with Leukemia, and the medical bills took up so much of their Gym savings, that May, Max, and Caroline each had to take at least one job just to pay them.
Norman died around five years ago, forcing her brother to take on the role of Gym Leader. Luckily, Max was being trained to be Gym Leader long before Norman's diagnosis. Caroline also gave Max helpful hints regarding how to properly raise Norman's Pokémon, who also grieved heavily over the loss of their Trainer.
Both Caroline and Max tried encouraging May to just leave on her journey, but May, not wanting her father's dream to either become real or die without her present, decided to leave when the Gym was renovated. When she told Dawn of her choice, her best friend also decided to stay behind so as to offer any and all help she could, financially or otherwise.
Just as the conversation turned sad, Johanna, Dawn's mother, then came in, and took a seat in the audience.
"Morning, Johanna!" May said, happily, as she got back on stage, and prepared to let out another one of her Pokémon.
"Morning, May!" Johanna said.
"Congrats on being crowned Queen of the Petalburg Festival parade!" May said, as she let out her Glaceon for the next demo.
"Caught me completely off-guard… For the sixth year in a row!" Johanna said, jokingly, as she laughed. "Now, shall I celebrate with…"
"Muffins?" May said, as she ran up to Johanna's seat, and gave her some of her homemade muffins. "Just made a fresh batch!"
"Keep them coming until I fall asleep with a stomachache, then!" Johanna said, as she started to eat one.
Dawn then came in, as happy as possible, and shouted, "Oh, May!"
"Hey, Dawn!" May said, as Dawn circled around her happily.
"Oh, May, did you hear the news?! Tell her, mom!" Dawn said, going over to her mother.
"Oh, Prince Andrew is coming to Petalburg, and…" Johanna said.
"Prince Drew, of LaRousse is coming to Petalburg City! Woo-hoo!" Dawn said. "Tell her what else you did, mom!"
"We're holding a Masquerade Ball in his honor, and he's staying at the villa as a personal guest of mine." Johanna said.
Dawn took a muffin, and started to eat one.
"Dawn, I thought you weren't interested in royalty and their affairs?" May inquired.
"I'm not, to be honest," Dawn said, as she swallowed her muffin bit. "I'm just excited for the party tonight; Mom says because we're the wealthiest family in Petalburg, we should accommodate Prince Drew by housing him for a while and putting on this gala."
"Wait, it's tonight?!" May said.
"Sorry about this…" Dawn said. "I'm hoping to find the right guy at the party. I just don't want to approach someone because of their status."
"That makes sense," May said. "And you're telling me because…?"
"Do you think that you can bake up a few dozen or more of these muffins of yours for the party tonight?" Dawn asked. "And put on a Contest Appeal, too?"
"Wait, for tonight?! That's short notice…" May said, concerned.
"I can come by to help out later," Dawn said. "And besides, I'm sure we can get our Pokémon to help, too."
Dawn then snatched her mother's wallet, took out a wad of cash, and then handed it to May, and asked, "Will this cover it?"
Looking over the money amount, May smiled widely, and then said, "This should cover it perfectly, Dawn… This is it! The Gym's going to be fixed!"
"Woo-hoo!" Dawn shouted, as she jumped for joy. "The Gym's going to be fixed, and I might find Prince Charming tonight! And whoever he is, I'm not letting him go!"
Dawn then hugged May before running out of the hall, screaming happily.
Vivian then gave May a thumbs' up and then said, "Go get em', girl! Since you've gotten that commission, take off early today! I can handle the rest."
"Thanks, Vivian! See you next week!" May said, as she soon left the Contest Hall to get started on the muffins.
However, no one noticed that the purple-haired man and his independent shadow overheard the whole thing and started smiling evilly, as he hatched a plan…
Alright, that's a wrap for this chapter! It took a while, but I finally got this chapter done. I hope you all read, review, and enjoy. As you can see, May's main goal is to help fix up the Petalburg Gym prior to leaving to become a Top Coordinator, and Dawn is the wealthiest girl in town, albeit she likes doing things herself. And since Tiana's father's death was due to dying in combat during World War I, I thought I'd change it up to something different. Besides, you don't see wars happening that often in the Pokémon universe, do you?
Now, in case you haven't already figured it out, the main villain in this story is going to be Harley. I decided to put Harley in as Facilier for this story due to the fact that Harley's always out to get May and either humiliate her, defeat her in Contests with foul play, or even both at once.
And if you haven't already guessed this, too, Lawrence will be played by Butch. You know, as in Butch and Cassidy, from Team Rocket, who are Jessie and James' main rivals?