Chapter 2
Rated G

Later that morning, May awoke around noon. She felt a little better and decided to stretch her legs before she ate her breakfast, which would actually be her lunch. May slipped on her tennis shoes and left her backpack in her room, only taking her fanny pack with her to the deck.

"Come out, everyone!" she commanded, throwing four Poké balls in the air.

First came out her Blaziken, her starter and strongest Pokémon. A fierce fighting fire chicken. It's body was mostly red, except it's hair which was white. "Blaze!"

Then a blue and white teddy bear like Pokémon came out. "Munchlax!" it said hungrily, looking up at May.

"Squirt!" cried the small turtle Pokémon. It was cute water Pokémon she had obtained from Professor Oak. Squirtle's shell was an orange-red color, contrasting to the turtle's blue skin.

"Vee!" said a brown, dog-like Pokémon. Eevee was May's youngest Pokémon, and among one of the mischievous.

"Hey guys," she said sadly as she sat down on the deck of the ship. "You hungry?"

The Pokémon nodded their heads in acknowledgement.

May smiled and fed the Pokémon their breakfast she had packed earlier in her fanny pack and watched them play. Surprisingly, May wasn't hungry. She was still a little depressed at the thought of traveling alone. Sure, she had her Pokémon, but she wished she had some human company.

"Blaze!" said Blaziken worriedly, interrupting May's thoughts.

"Oh, Blaziken, it's you," said the startled May. Blaziken sensed it's trainer's distress and decided to keep her company while the younger Pokémon played together. "You're worried about me, right? Thanks."

Blaziken sat down next to her and watched the waves splash onto the ship's steel side.

"Passengers of the S. Lapras, lunch will start being served in thirty minutes and will be closed in two hours time. Repeat: Passengers of the S. Lapras, lunch will start being served in fifteen minutes and will be closed in two hours time," said the Captain over the loudspeaker.

"S. Lapras?" That's a funny name for a boat. But it fits it all the same. Wait, didn't Soledad have a Lapras? Her appeal in the Grand Festival was gorgeous. I can see why she won the Ribbon Cup. I just hope I've gotten stronger. I want to beat her this time! And Drew too! Drew…I wonder if he'll be at the Goldenrod Contest.

After a few minutes of silence, May told her Pokémon, "I'm gonna go get some breakfast, okay? You guys stay here. Blaziken, you're in charge. Listen to Blaziken or you'll get a talking to later!"

The young Pokémon nodded their heads in agreement and then resumed with their game.

"Make sure they don't get into any mischief, Blaziken."

"Blaze," it reassured.

"Okay, I'll be back as soon as I can!" she called. Only Blaziken acknowledged, as the young ones were too busy playing.

After a thirty minute "breakfast", May walked back onto the deck to find her Pokémon just where she'd left them. She hadn't been very hungry but decided it was best to eat so she wouldn't pass out or anything.

Squirtle, Eevee and Munchlax seemed to be playing some form of tag while Blaziken watched from the corner of it's eye.

"All right! I'm back!" called May, running towards them.

Blaziken breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed. May giggled at the thought of her oldest Pokémon Poké-sitting.

The young ones cheered and ran up to greet their owner, wondering if they bought anything for them.

"Sorry guys. They were pretty strict about leaving with food from the dining room," she apologized. They were a bit disappointed but cheered up when May said, "Let's train for our next contest! Which one of you should I use?"

"Vee!" volunteered Eevee, jumping onto May's lap. Young as it may be, it loved being the center of attention.

"Eevee, you want to be in the contest?"

"Vee!"

"Okay! Since you haven't been in a contest in a while, then I'll use you. Sorry guys."

The others shook their heads. It was only fair for Eevee to partipate.

"Thanks guys. You're the best!"

They smiled happily and decided to find a new game to play as Eevee had some training to do.

"What should we do for our appeal, Eevee?" asked May, scratching the top of Eevee's head thoughtfully.

"Vee?" it answered cluelessly.

After a few minutes of thought, she exclaimed, "I know! Dig and Shadowball!"

"Vee?" asked Eevee confused.

"You dig some holes and shoot Shadowballs from different holes!"

"Vee, vee!" said Eevee excitedly.

"We can't practice Dig here, so let's practice Shadowball!" she suggested, carrying Eevee to the farthest edge of the deck where they faced the sea. May put Eevee on the edge. "See those rocks over there?" asked May, pointing to the row of jagged rocks nearby. Eevee nodded. "Aim a Shadowball over there. Go!"

At May's command, Eevee sent a Shadowball towards the rocks, but it missed and crashed into the water, spending droplets into the air.

Eevee looked down disappointed but May encouraged it by saying, "It's okay, Eevee. We haven't practiced in a while so it's okay if you miss. Practice makes perfect so let's get practicing."

Eevee smiled and sent another Shadowball towards the rocks. This time, it didn't miss and sent bits of rock flying.

"Good job, Eevee. See, that's what happens when you believe in yourself!" she congratulated.

"Vee, Vee!" it cheered happily.

After a few hours of training and perfecting Shadowball, the sun was starting to set.

"Return, everyone!" she commanded as Eevee, Blaziken, Munchlax and Squirtle returned to their Poké balls. Better get some dinner. I'm arriving tomorrow afternoon so I have to sleep a little early.

May managed to sneak some food into her cabin by hiding it in her fanny pack. "Come out!" On her words, her traveling companions came out of their Poké balls and towards May eagerly.

May had bought enough noodles with her, enough for everyone. The Pokémon ate the food gratefully, tired of eating nothing but Poké block and Poké food for a while.

When the Pokémon finished, she let them play quietly while she read her guidebook. Max had bought it for her as a going away present. It was indeed a very handy book to have around. She understood why Brock always had one.

After an hour of interesting reading, May returned her Pokémon to their Poké balls for a good night sleep. May kicked off shoes and took off her red bandana, folding neatly by her nightstand. Then she slipped into a black spaghetti strap tank top, only keeping her biker shorts on and climbed into her bed.

She was excited that she was going to land soon that she could barely sleep. One more month until the Pokémon Contest! I'm so happy. I have to finish perfecting Eevee's appeal so it could be ready. I think I might have to train Eevee a bit. It's Shadowball seemed a bit weak and I haven't trained with it in a while.

May closed her eyes sleepily and dozed off into a deep sleep.

May yawned as she woke up the next morning. It was 10 a.m. and in about three hours, she would arrive in Vermillion City. Gathering her clothes, she walked into the bathroom to take a quick shower so she could be ready for the adventures to come.

Luckily for May, her parents got her a room with a shower. May was grateful as she adjusted the water's temperature to her liking. She took of her clothes and dumped in a pile as she climbed inside. May lathered up her brown hair until it was white and bubbly with her favorite shampoo and conditioner. She closed her eyes as the water ran down and rinsed her hair. Just a few more hours! I can't wait to arrive! I'm so excited! But…it's not like I'm gonna see anyone yet…May opened her blue eyes sadly as she continued with her shower. Ten more minutes passed and May was finished with her shower.

She dried her body and put on fresh underclothes. Then May dried her hair, which had repositioned itself in two sides as usual. Before she put on her usual attire, she rubbed a sweet scented lotion on her body. I'm glad Mom bought this for me. It smells so good…like…roses…Roses! May felt a chill run up her spine. It's just a coincidence. She reassured herself as she put on her red blouse, adjusting the collar. Her blouse had a thick black lining underneath the collar, which was why she wore her black biker shorts with it. May slipped on her white skirt over the biker shorts and pulled up her black socks. She brushed her hair and tied her bandana on top of her head. Once she was satisfied with her look in the mirror, she walked back into her bedroom.

May tied on her tennis shoes she left by her bedside the previous night and snapped the yellow fanny pack around her waist. As she was headed out the door, she said aloud, "Oh, I almost forgot!" She ran back inside and picked up her black and white gloves. They were more a necessity than a fashion statement. She was used to having them on her hands, protecting her from cuts and such. "Better go call Mom."

"May! I missed you so much! Are you all right?" asked Caroline over the phone. She was wearing her usually clothes, except she wore an apron over them.

"Mom, I just left yesterday," reminded May.

"That doesn't stop me from missing my favorite daughter!" responded Caroline, purple eyes twinkling in amusement.

"I'm your only daughter," she replied flatly.

"And that's why you're my favorite! But, are you really okay? I mean, you're going to be alone. Anytime you want to come home, I'll come for you!"

"Thanks Mom, but I'm fine. I can handle it," she said, half lying.

"Well, if you're sure…" replied Caroline hesitantly.

"Yes Mom, I'm sure. Oh, Mom, I'm sorry but someone else has to use the phone. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, dear. Good luck and take care, May. I love you!"

"I love you too, Mom. Tell Dad and Max I said, 'Hi!'"

"I will. Bye, honey."

"Bye, Mom," she said as she hung up the phone. Her stomach grumbled hungrily. She laughed nervously as the next person in line looked at her curiously. Better get some something to eat before I arrive.

May walked out the dining hall, her belly full and satisfied. She figured she should eat a good meal before she resumed eating nothing but fast cooked for a while. May glanced at the clock over her head. 12:24…12:45! I'm going to reach shore in fifteen minutes! Forgetting she was full, May ran into her cabin and quickly packed her things, which wasn't much anyways.

"Attention all passengers, we will be arriving at the Vermillion City hHarbor in ten minutes. Please gather your belongings and wait patiently in your cabins. We will release you section by section. Make sure you do not forget any belongings. S. Lapras will not be held responsible for any lost or missing items," announced the Captain on his loudspeaker.

Section by section? I'm in Section B so I'll be released second. That's good so I can hurry and meet up with Professor Oak's colleague. Then I can head to Saffron and finally Goldenrod!

May tried to sit as still as possible, hugging her knees patiently as she waited for the ship to arrive at the Vermillion City Harbor.

May jumped off the stairs of the ship happily. She spun around once, glad to do anything she pleased now that she was back on land.

"May!" yelled a familiar voice from the distance.

Is that...? May could barely make out the voice's owner but as it came closer, she recognized it and gasped in surprise.

sorry if you hate cliffhangers. i do 2 so i guess i'm being a hypocrite. oh well. and who could it be? find out next chap!