A/NVotes are in and the pole is closed. Thank you for the votes and let me say it was very close. Only one vote separates the winner from its closest rival. The winner is...well you'll see at the end of the chapter =p.

Thank you for reading the previous chapter and extra thanks to those few who left a review:

-Kazama the shell bullet

-Lucifer (sorry about the errors, I try to catch them all but some do slip through)

-gerbilftw (sorry about the inclusion of Team Rocket. They are a key device in the plot of the story. I hope my use of them doesn't put you off reading)

-ShadowKing1988

Please enjoy the next instalment of Pokémon: True Feeling's will Overcome

Chapter Three – Delays

Ash got up, cursing himself. The boat was now clear of the dock and with that his hopes of seeing May soon. He turned to see the others and was very shocked to see them laughing. He scowled at them but before he could comment Brock spoke up,

"We assumed you would be delayed somehow so gave you the time of the first boat to Staleport that left. The boat we are booked on is in fact not leaving for another thirty minutes so we have time to walk there." He pointed to a boat on the other side of the dock, safely tied up.

"Gits." Ash mumbled, scowling at the now laughing form of Pikachu on the floor. "Keep laughing and I'll take that bottle away from you." He threatened. Pikachu pulled the bottle close to him and gave an equally threatening glare, complete with cheek sparks. This only caused the group to laugh harder as Brock pulled Ash towards the other door.

The one problem with going to the other door would be the crowd of people already there, and in the room itself. Usually this would have only taken a few minutes and not been a problem. But that was before Ash had been Sinnoh Champion. Because of this little change it took nearly fifteen minutes to get to the other side. The crowd once again were patting Ash on the pack. The boys wanted to battle him, here and now, to prove themselves against the champ and the girls wanted to take him into the toilets for a few minutes. Ash easily shrugged off the girls knowing no-one would be able to take his mind from seeing May again and he told the boys the same as he had told the earlier group, we would love to battle but he would miss the ferry if he did and promised to do a few battles on the ferry is people were interested. Brock smiled as Ash turned away girl after girl knowing only one was on his mid. He had expected this, what he, and the rest of the group, hadn't expected was Misty.

"Will you glory-hunters leave him alone?" She screamed as yet another group of giggling girls came over to try their luck,

"Why should you care?" They retorted, "It's not like he's your boyfriend?"

Ash quickly took Misty's arm and dragged her away from the girls, giving them a look that clearly read 'get lost'. She was fuming and blushing at the same time. This gave her face a horrible colour that clashed with her hair. Azuril chirped happily from Misty's arms, completely ignorant of the situation, as she looked at her trainer and found the colour amusing.

"Mist, you need to calm down." Ash said, sitting her down by the door as Brock and Dawn went to get their tickets stamped saying they would meet at the boat in ten minutes to leave, "Those girls weren't bothering me. You didn't need to snap." His words were said in a calming voice but even Misty could hear the curiosity screaming 'Why did she act like that?'

"I dunno Ash." She said glumly, poking Azuril's tail making her giggle, "It was just seeing all those girls after you annoyed me. I dunno why?" A tear form in her eye as she stopped talking. Even Ash, who was normally as dense as any tree knew now why she had done it.

"Mist..." He said softly putting his hands on hers, "It's over between us. It was been for a long time. You need to move on. I know it hurts but it has to be done."

"I'm sorry Ash." She started sobbing now. Ash motioned for Pikachu to take Azuril away for the minute so they could talk, Pikachu nodded and scooping up Azuril bounced down to Brock and Dawn with the baby on his back. "I know I should have moved on by now. It's been over two years but my heart keeps holding me back. I know you like May and I'm sure she likes you so I promise not to interfere. My heart just needs more time to mend." Ash placed his arm round her and she sobbed into his shoulder,

"It's ok Mist," Ash whispered in her ear, "I know you'll find someone to love. It just can't be me. I..." He stopped for a second before saying something he never said before, "I love May more than anything." For reason this caused Misty to give off a small giggle, "What?"

"Ash Ketchum. Never in my life did I think I hear you admit you love someone or something above Pokemon and food." She said with a sad smile. She loved Ash more than anything and almost thought that he loved her back. But fate cruelly ripped them apart before the feelings could grow, and threw him into May's path.

"At least I can still surprise the person who thinks I'm an open book."

"Oh we know you love her. We just never thought you'd admit it."

They looked at each other before a voice sounded behind them.

"Well look here. Isn't May going to be crushed. The boy she waited for so long for has crawled back to the scrawny ex."

Ash leapt out the chair growling staring at the voice. He looked straight into the eyes of Drew. The co-ordinator Ash despised because of his romantic nature towards May. The sight of Drew angered Ash so much it never occurred to him to ask why he was there in the first place.

"Stay out of this Drew."

"I wouldn't want to interrupt. Maybe I'll just call May and see what she says." Drew was teasing Ash now. And Ash was falling head first into it.

"You're only bitter 'cos she left you hanging out to dry." He spat, enjoying the anger spreading across his rival's face,

"I made a mistake. Why would I want to go anywhere near that slut?" he drooled,

Several people grabbed Ash before he could do anything. He desperately tried to get over to Drew so he could pound him. Pikachu had overheard the comment and was being held back by Dawn who looked stunned at what had just been said.

"Never... speak... of... her... like... that... again!" He growled, struggling against the five people holding him back. Brock and Misty where joined by Charlie, Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny as they tried to hold him back.

"You young man," Jenny looked at Drew, "I suggest you get the next ferry before I have to book both of you for disturbing the peace." She said with a stern look on her face.

"I was going to." Drew smiled sickly, "I wouldn't be seen dead on a boat with a two-timing low-life like him."

Ash gave an extra hard struggle but the people holding back were doing their job well. Misty risked letting go and quickly stood nose to nose with Drew. She brought her hand across his face so hard he nearly fell backwards.

"You jealous, scheming, cowardly scum." Misty snarled but before she could do anything Drew turned and left. It was only when he was outside the building did Ash calm down enough to risk letting him go.

"Next time I see him I'll going to..." He showed everyone quite clearly what he would do if Drew showed his face by punching the nearest wall hard. His knuckles were now bleeding as he scowled at the offending wall.

A toot of a whistle caught his attention as he saw, for the second time in an hour, the boat he was meant to be on sail away. He cursed loudly earning the glare of several people. Brock and Dawn groaned as they saw this, while Misty was lost in her anger glaring at the door Drew had just left through.

"Now see what happens when you cause trouble." Jenny said quite sternly towards Ash."You miss your boat." Ash had no time to respond as Joy came over to him and began to see to his hand, which stung like hell. "There is another boat but it takes two weeks to get there as it goes right round Sinnoh before heading to Staleport."

"When the next direct service?" Brock asked. You might wonder at this time why Brock wasn't going gaga at the sight of Jenny and Joy. This was simply because he could sense the presence of a certain frog-like Pokémon standing right behind him, paw at the ready.

"Four weeks time. This was the last of the season now the championship is over."

"Look's like we have no choice." Brock sighed, but Dawn spoke up,

"Brock. There is a direct one to Pallet Town. Why did we need to go...?" She stopped what she was saying as she caught a look in Brock, Misty and Pikachu's eye. "Sorry."

"We're going to Petulburg because I have a promise to keep with a special friend. I'm going to call her and let her know we'll be late back." Ash got up and left, hand now wrapped in a bandage. Joy took this time to head over to Misty and see to hers. Pikachu finally got free from Dawn's grip and followed his trainer. Brock looked at Dawn as the trio sat down.

"What this promise?" She asked Brock. Misty wasn't paying attention but just staring out the window. Joy had returned to the desk, as she was helping with the boat loading while Jenny resumed her patrol of the room. Azuril was now playing chase with Pachirisu, who had been called on to entertain the baby Pokémon.

"Just before Ash came here to Sinnoh we travelled with a group in the Hoenn region, south of here. He became really close to one of the group a girl named May." Brock explained,

"You mentioned her before."

"Yeah, as they were about to split up, possibly for good, Ash asked me for advice. He told me he had strong feelings for her. My advice was to tell her and make a promise. Keep that promise and see her when we finished here. He never said what the promise was and it never came up in conversation again. I know they traded e-mails a lot but apart from that the rarely spoke, until he won yesterday. He said the victory wasn't going to be complete until she was there with him."

"It sounds a lot like love to me" Dawn said smiling dreamily,

"It is." Misty said sadly. But before they could question her Ash reappeared. He seemed to have calmed down and his anger had lessened. Pikachu also looked a lot happier. 'What had they talked about?' Misty thought.

"The boat leaves in half an hour." Ash said pointing to a small cruise ship in the harbour. I suggest we get on now so not to get distracted and miss that one as well." They all nodded sand gathered their things. Dawn returned Pachirisu to her Pokeball while Misty gathered the baby Azuril into her arms.

They boarded the boat, this time without trouble, and Ash headed straight for his cabin to drop his bag off before he could release his Pokemon. The others did the same and they were soon lounging by the pool. Their Pokemon were enjoying the break as well. Prinplup and Buizel were in the water alongside Azuril, who was bouncing on Totodile's head (Ash had called on Totodile for a match on the finals and still kept the Pokémon on him). Pachirisu was chasing Pikachu and Cyndaquil (also called upon) around the pool. Buneary was hiding behind her ears watching Pikachu. Torterra was sunbathing alongside Staravia while Aipom sat on the roof of the changing rooms sleeping under Ash's hat. Misty let her Pokemon out into the pool, Staryu and Horsea swam around while Psyduck began to drown, as usual, until a life ring was thrown to him. After that Brock released his. Sudowoodo slept as far away from the water as he could while Happiny began to paddle her feet as she sat on the edge of the pool. Brock's Toxicroak followed him around keeping him form getting into to much trouble with the girls.

Ash swam in the pool amongst the Pokemon, while Dawn and Misty chatted while sunbathing. As for Brock he was, more often than not, in a heap being dragged back to the group by Toxicroak.

'This is going to be a nice journey.' Ash though as he raced Totodile around the pool being cheered on by Pikachu and Azuril, 'But I can't..." His thought where interrupted by a cloud of smoke coming from above. Ash coughed as he tried to see what was calling. He couldn't quite make out the shape but he knew at once who it was from the voice,

"Prepare for trouble, while out by the pool"

Here we go, another chapter done and edited. There are many new devices in this one. In the original the Ash/Drew confrontation took place in a cafe and he didn't miss the first boat, only the second. It also seems my addiction for cliff-hangers is back, so expect many *evil laugh* as I plan to use them a lot *prepares bunker*.

Anyway enough of my insane rambling, please take time to read and review. Every hit means a lot to me, but every review, no matter how big or small means so much more.

Your words feed me.

Tim