Well here's the Second Chapter reposted/edited and all that jazz so…yeah, enjoy!

Picture of Loneliness

By Harmony283

Reviews:

Contestshipping fan-Eh, don't worry about if you've ever heard of Sundaeshipping or not. It doesn't have a huge fan base at all…I just like it cuz they're my two fav guy characters (besides Drew) and for some odd reason I can see them together. And yes, May dumped Drew…you'll find out the details about that later on. I'm also glad you liked the Chapter! That makes me happy! But…I made you cry? Ah, well, I cried too! And I know what happens! Agh! –Cough- yeah, here's the next Chapter--fully edited from the way it was last time, I hope you like it!

Taito-fan-Ah! Hey, I know you! Well…not really, but I've read most of your fics and I really like them! So I'm really glad you reviewed! And yeah…I'm a Sundaeshipper through and through…seriously. When I first saw the episode I was like 'wow…I wonder if there's even a remote chance that those two could get together? They look so cute!' and then, about a year later it was dubbed Sundaeshipping by you—which totally fits it. And, yet again, I'm really REALLY happy you liked this Chapter…and it will get more interesting…so, here's the next Chapter--and it's fully edited an' all that so...I hope ya like it!

Chinbaldo-Well, you ask for an update--so here's the update! Enjoy the chapter!

Karrigenkitsune-Ah, well, it confused you? And scared you at the same time? Um, well...if that confused you then I'm pretty sure this chapter's going to have you confused too...but...well...since you want to know what happens next...here's the next Chapter--enjoy!

gobi05-Eh-heh-heh, wow…you think I'm the best…? And you've been searching for almost an hour and a half for a Drew/May fanfic and nothing that's here satisfied you enough? That's sad, but kinda true all the same (the only place I've ever been able to find really good May/Drew fanfics is on serebii . net--minus the space between the '.' and 'net--that's thanks to my older sister for showing me the site). And -bows-I'm honored to get any sort of review for any of my fanfics (it seems my Pokemon Fanfics don't do nearly as well as my other fanfics so it makes me twice as happy)! And about the updating thing…well I did originally have this chapter up (about two weeks ago) but I didn't like it--and someone flamed me about it--so yeah, here's the re-posting of chapter two--Enjoy!

A/N: Well here it is, the reposting/editing of Chapter Two. I wanted to take my time with this chapter and edited it…but yeah, I was kinda in a rush and wanted to have it up soon. But a certain review for Chapter Two (it was anonymous and I deleted it) decided to be mean and flame me by saying I suck…or something like that…so yeah, I decided that I needed to hurry it up so I deleted Ch.2 and am reposting it now—a few weeks/a month later! Basically the entire chapter has changed. But it still focuses on what Max and Harley are doing--as did the last chapter. And I'm sorry for the shortness, but yeah, I wanted to put in what May's doing in the next chapter.

---------------------------

Chapter Two: Mysterious Letter

Pyrite City, Orre; 10:45 AM:

The fresh morning sunlight beamed through one of the many open windows in the thug turned riotous town of Pyrite.

In this said town, many people were going around doing their every day business as per usual. The night crowd that often crowded the streets, making the town light up with activities from its olden days.

The days when the news of shadow Pokemon, and Cipher--the evil syndicate that was the cause for them--still could be heard, carried like rumors on the winds breath.

But with the very same wind, the seeds of the good were spread. And one particular good landed in this very town, sprouting to create ONBS--the major news casting station for the Orre Region.

But now, during the peace and quiet caused by Ciphers final fall, things like the sunlight and the heat were the only things the citizens had to worry about.

A wild Skarmory flew overhead, crying out in pure pleasure at the ability to fly freely through the morning air.

It, like the townspeople, didn't have much to worry about. The only thing it had to do was deliver a letter.

But as for what the letter contained, no one exactly knew.

After all, who could know? The letter was signed anonymous.

And it was going to Nett--one of the founders of ONBS.

The Skarmory noticed the building immediately for its white walls gleamed in the sunlight, causing it to glow like an angels halo--or something extremely pure and there only for the purpose of denouncing all evil.

The metal bird Pokemon made its landing on the railing surrounding the roof of the building. It watched the doorway like a predator would its prey; waiting for the mechanical doors to slide open.

And indeed they did.

A blond man--around his mid twenties--walked out, staring up at the azure blue sky with a carefree smile on his face.

He then turned his gaze to the Skarmory and gasped.

"Wha--?"

"Skaro!" Skarmory cawed at him, flapping its wings so that it was now hovering in the air, displaying the note--which was attached to its left foot--to the man.

"A…note?"

"What is it?" A mans voice called out from inside the room.

"Oh! Nett! It's a…Skarmory."

"A Skarmory? Now that's rare…" The sliding of a chair and footsteps against tiled flooring could be heard as the man named Nett made his way out the door.

This man--a tall, looking to be around his mid-thirties, with grey-brown hair and grey eyes--walked out. His eyes widened slightly as he saw the Skarmory.

Or rather, the letter bound to the Pokemons leg.

"I…this is…this Pokemon has a note."

"Yeah, you're right. Were you expecting any mail?"

Nett shook his head, "No, actually, I wasn't. Besides, everyone I know knows to contact me via e-mail, not by mail."

"Hmm, well, it looks like whoever sent it sent their Pokemon as well so I guess it'd be rude not to accept the letter."

"Yes, you're right." Nett walked towards the bird. Once he reached it, he bent down and detached the letter from its leg.

He then proceeded to search it over for any type of address.

"So…who's it from?"

"It doesn't say. It just has my name on it in ink."

"Really? Well that's odd. Are you sure you want to read it now? I mean, who knows what might be in it."

Nett sighed, "Yes, you're right…who knows. But at a time of peace I doubt it's anything dangerous--or at least its' nothing so dangerous that I can't handle it on my own."

The blond haired man sighed in relief, "Well that's good because, like I said, I really need to get that present for Kandee. It is her birthday y'know."

Nett smiled, "Yes you're right. Though why you want to try so hard to impress her is beyond me. You know she isn't interested in you that way."

The man shrugged, "Well it's worth a try. Besides, there's not that big of a difference--it's only five years."

"Five years too many in her mothers book."

The blond man grimaced before shaking his head and heading off down the stairs to the main broadcasting area of ONBS.

Nett waited until the said man was out of sight before opening the letter, scanning over its contents.

Midway through the letter he stopped, eyes widening in shock.

"What…? He was…let out of jail? And…it's been eight years? Why wasn't I--?" He jumped and looked up when Skarmory cawed at him.

He then sighed, "I…I'm not going to pretend I don't know who you're from. But I would like you to go back to whoever sent you, okay? I'll send your owner an e-mail."

The Skarmory cocked its head to the side, but seemed to understand, lifting up into the air once more to fly through the air currents back from whence it came.

Nett just watched it for a few minutes, thinking over what he had just read. He then promptly crumpled up the letter, muttering, "Why didn't you tell me this sooner." Before walking back into his officer.

There he tossed the crumpled letter in the garbage can--where it quickly unfolded to reveal the ending salutation to the letter.

A single name:

Harley

-------------------------

Slateport, Hoenn Region; 11:35AM:

The sun was now midway through the sky and the usual bustling crowd of shoppers could be seen coming and going from the many shops surrounding the City Square. This was a day like any other.

The usual rookie trainers could be seen battling sailors and other beach bound individuals on the beachfront, planning on leveling up their Pokemon for either the upcoming Contest, or the Gym in the nearby town of Mauville City.

The crowd, the smell, the very vibe coming from this seaside town was no different from any other time. And yet, all the same, it was. But one had to wonder what it was.

One particular individual, an experienced Pokemon Trainer from the way he held himself, could be seen walking through the cobblestone streets, stopping at the outside grocers and other food specialty shops. This, on any other occasion, would seem quite unusual to someone visiting the town.

But then again, to the townspeople, it was normal.

This trainer was none other than Max Maple; Normans son. He was now in his early twenties and seemed to be shopping for a special occasion.

"Ah! Max, what might you be doing out at this hour? I'd expect that you'd want some sleep after all the traveling you've been doing." An elderly lady with vibrant green eyes and aqua--slightly graying--hair asked with a cheerful smile on her face. She was wearing the signature apron that showed that she worked at the local pharmacy.

Max smiled, and nodded his head, "Yeah I know it seems odd for me to be out at a time like this, but, well," He held up the bag he had been carrying--which was filled with vegitables and other rather nutritious items.

The elderly woman raised an eyebrow, her eyes showing familiar curiosity and yet knowingness at the same time.

"Harley's sick."

"Oh my…again? What is it this time? And can I do anything to help?"

"He caught pneumonia because he was out training late last night during High Tide and he didn't tell me till this morning. And I'm not sure if there's any medicine that can help since he refuses to take any."

"That's true. Well I suppose all I can do is ask you to tell him to get better soon for me." The woman then smiled, "This town just isn't lively enough without him wandering around."

Max laughed, "That's definitely true. I guess I'll be seeing you later then, Rita. I've still got to shop for some other items."

"You're such a good boyfriend. It makes me wonder how Harley got you in the first place." And yet again she had the same curious and yet knowing look in her eyes.

But, all the same it made Max flush and quickly retreat, calling out; "That's for me to know and you to find out."

"But I can't find out if no one tells me."

"What are you mumbling to yourself about this time, grandmother?" A young girl of around ten years of age with the same aqua hair--though this time it was up in pigtails--and green eyes asked, walking up behind her.

"Oh, Cyan darling! It's nothing."

"You never keep your nose out of other peoples business do you?"

"And a young girl like you shouldn't be asking those questions." Rita said, shaking her head and patting the shorter girl on the head.

"Grandma! I'll be turning ten soon! I'll be able to get my own Pokemon so please stop treating me like a kid!"

"Whoever said I was? I just said you shouldn't say things like that to your elders."

The girl pouted but soon shrugged it off, walking/skipping back over to the entrance to the Pharmacy and slipping on her apron, which she had left on a nearby chair.

She then turned back around and motioned to Rita, "Come on already! Grandpa and Mama were wondering where you were! You're supposed to be making lunch today!"

Rita chuckled softly to herself, pleased by her granddaughters cheerfulness, "Yes Cyan, I know, I know."

---------------------

(same time w/Harley)

The same sunlight that cascaded across the seaport town was merely filtering in through the thin fabric covering the windows of one particular home on the eastern side of the city.

And, unlike the town which was bright and lively, this room seemed slightly gloomy. And in this room, which was more like a small apartment, was a man lounging on a dark green sofa--his purple hair tied up in a ponytail and his normally pale complexion flush with fever.

Suddenly the front door to this small apartment opened, causing light to shine in, illuminating the darkened corners that seemed to make the room even more void of the natural beauty of the city that surrounded it.

"I'm back, Harley. How are you feeling?" The intruder asked, placing a bag of groceries on the nearby counter.

The man, now known as Harley, just groaned in response, hefting himself up into a sitting position. He then smiled, "I'm doing better…but what did you buy? You were out for a while, Max."

Max smiled, "Don't worry about me. I was just out buying groceries, as you can see," He pointed to the contents in the bag behind him, and continued to close the distance between him and the older male.

"I…see. You certainly do spoil me sometimes." Harley laughed, though it seemed tired, and lacking humor.

Max flushed lightly, "Ah, yeah, I guess I am. But I wouldn't have to if you didn't get sick all the time…"

"Oh you know me, I'm always busy!" Again the man tried to laugh, though now it seemed that he was breathing heavy, and his smile was only half what a real smile should be.

"You know…I ran into Rita today."

"Really now? What's that old lady up to now…a days…?"

"She still runs the pharmacy, and I think her granddaughter might be old enough to start on her Pokemon journey soon."

"That's good to hear."

"She also asked me what I was doing out this early. And I told her you were sick with pneumonia."

Harley sighed and leaned back against the couch, "Oh really? But I don't have pneumonia."

"then what do you have?"

Harley shook his head, shifting his position so that he could lean back against the couch, "Nothing…it's nothing. I've just got a fever."

"Harley…"

"Soup sounds really good right about now." Now he sounded sleepy, and annoyed. He then proceeded to drape an arm across his face to block out any stray beams of light in the already dimly lit room.

"Harley…ugh, fine. But I am going to ask you about it later."

"Fine by me."

Max stayed silent for a few seconds, eyeing the older man on the couch, thinking over something in his mind.

Then, almost hesitantly, he asked, "By the way, where's your Skarmory?"

----------------------------

And there it is! The end of Chapter Two! And yet again, I'm sorry that this hasn't been up for a while. Seriously though, it needed to be edited the first time around because it was just outright bugging me. But yeah, since I waited this long I got an extra reviewer! And speaking of reviews, if you don't review then I won't update. So yeah, R&R please! The next chapter should be about what May's doing during all of this.