Here's another chapter for my great fans!

Chapter Four – A Conflict of Interests

Ash and Co. have made their plans. With Bianca in the hands of the villainous Team Aqua and Team Magma also after her they have to act quickly. With Ash heading in search of the Team Aqua base and May competing in her contest they have a busy day ahead of them. But will Ash's concerns and anger at always playing the hero affect the day's plan?

The group headed out of the Pokemon Centre and went their separate ways. May headed to the contest hall while Ash, Latias (in human form) and Pikachu were to check out the docks for the Team Aqua base. Ash gave May a quick kiss for good luck and headed down the street to the docks. They made quick progress through the busy streets, not paying any attention to the shops or people in Griffon City.

Approaching the main entrance they noticed a heavy guard. Ash approached the entrance but was immediately stopped.

"Sorry son." The guard said, placing his body in the Ash's way, "Only workers can enter this section. If you wish to use the ferry you have to use the other entrance over there." He pointed towards another gate about five hundred yards further down. Ash knew that they had to enter here but arguing wasn't the best way to get around it,

"So sorry sir." Ash said, nodding an apology, "We must have taken a wrong turn somewhere." He made to turn but the guard placed a hand on his shoulder,

"Just make sure you don't make that mistake again." He said. There was something in the tone of his voice that made Ash's sin crawl. There was something about this man that needed more investigation. Ash nodded and moved away, Latias following. When he was out of the sight of the guard he turned to Latias and spoke,

"We need to get in. That guard knows something." He spoke quietly as he looked between his two companions, "It also wouldn't surprise me if he had some connection with Team Aqua." Both Pikachu and Latias nodded at him, showing in their faces that they agreed with him. "Our best plan is to find another way in. Pikachu, "He looked his old friend straight in the eye, "I want you to scout the fence and find another way in. Your less conspicuous that me or Latias. We'll wait here for you." The electric Pokemon nodded and sprung from Ash's shoulder and darted off in the trees. Latias looked desperately at Ash. "Don't worry Latias we'll get Bianca out of there." As h spoke this, the feeling he had had the night before return. Why did it always have to be him?

May entered the Contest Hall and went to the registration desk. A quick check of her Pokedex and she was entered. Her appeal number would be number 7. She was sitting in the locker room she heard a familiar, and sickening voice,

"Well if it isn't May." A green haired, cocky, coordinator appeared from round the lockers, "Where your precious boyfriend Ash? Left you or something." He laughed he saw anger show on her face,

"It's none of your business but Ash has some stuff to do before he gets here. I don't need him to beat you today." She retorted getting to her feet.

"You have no chance of beating me. Remember all our bouts in Johto. You never beat me. In fact," The grin on his face grew, and a rose appeared in his hand, "Each time we fought I defeated so with no trouble. It still amazes me how you made it through to the Grand Festival." He threw the rose over to May and she instinctively caught it.

"I don't need Ash to be here to win, because he's always with me." She touched the half-ribbon under her shirt, "And as for this." She held the rose up and dropped it on the floor and squashed it under her foot. Drew looked angry at the gesture and turned his back and walked away. May smirked and sat back down. Holding her ribbon in her hand she thought about what Ash would be up to now and whether he had found out any information on Bianca's whereabouts.

Ash sat with his back against a tree, fiddling with his half ribbon in his fingers. His thoughts were all on May and how her contest was going to go. He knew Drew would be there trying to put May off her game. He hoped enough confidence had been placed in her to ignore his comments. He looked up at Latias who was sitting on a branch above him. He was scared. He didn't know what he would have to do but once again, in his young life, it was up to him. He hated this feeling but knew there was no other way. He clenched his hand around the half ribbon and wished May was with him.

May was watching the screen in the locker room seeing what her opponents would be like. She planned to use Wigglytuff in her appeal stage and as usual Blaziken in her battle round. For once she wasn't worried about failing. She knew that if she was beaten Ash would not be disappointed and would help her train to be better and if she won... She blushed at the thought. A loud speaker announcement broke her train of thought,

"TRAINER NUMBER SEVEN TO THE STAGE, THAT'S TRAINER NUMBER SEVEN TO THE STAGE.'

She picked up her Pokeball and made her way to the stage. As she passed Drew she barely acknowledged his presence. She made her way on to the stage and glanced around at the crowd. Not spotting the familiar sight if the boy and his Pikachu she shrugged it from her mind and concentrated on the appeal ahead of her.

"Take the stage, WIGGLYTUFF!" The pink balloon Pokemon came out of her Pokeball and stood in the middle of the stage. Glancing at her trainer she saw a confidence she had never seen before. Both knew this was their day.

"Go Wigglytuff use double slap!" May called the attack and threw one of the discs she had in her pouch up in the air. Wigglytuff jumped and attack the disc. It shattered into pieces but Wigglytuff kept slapping. Soon all that was left was a fine dust that beautifully fell over the stage. Wigglytuff landed and did a quick twirl then prepared herself for her trainer's next command. May had a sudden bout of inspiration, but it was a risk.

"Ok, Wigglytuff. Shoot a metronome up in the air!"

The crowd gasped as the waited for what attack Wigglytuff would use. Wigglytuff moved her hands from side to side for a few moments before they started to glow. Suddenly and beam of white shot out of them and a pillar of ice shot into the air. May had only a few seconds to react to the attack.

"Double slap the Ice and sculpt it!"

Wigglytuff obeyed and slapped the ice. The chunks that flew off fell to the ground and the dust clouded the view. May waited anxiously for the dust to clear. A minute passed and the shapes in the dust became clearer. There stood two Wigglytuffs. May smiled as she saw her Wigglytuff admire her work. Next to her stood a perfect Ice sculpture of a Wigglytuff. The crowd went wild at what they saw. May ran and hugged her Pokemon.

"You were awesome Wigglytuff." They looked over towards the judges.

Mr. Contesa gave her 9.9.

Mr. Sugiara, the Luthian Pokemon Fan Club President, gave her 9.9.

Nurse Joy gave her a perfect 10.

May hugged Wigglytuff harder. A score of 29.8 was impressive and would almost certainly put her through to the final 4. She went back into the locker room and was met with applause. She guessed that was the highest score yet. Blushing she spotted an angry looking Drew. This made her score feel even better. She just wished Ash could have seen her display.

A rustle in the bushes nearby brought Ash to attention. His hand instinctively went to a Pokeball on his belt but relaxed when he saw Pikachu appear looking very smug with himself. He jumped onto Ash's shoulder.

"Pika!" He called, pointing towards the docks. "Pikachu Pika Pika."

"What?!" Ash said in shock. Latias jumped down and looked at Pikachu hopefully,

The three turned and ran back to the town, heading straight for the contest hall.

May sat in the room waiting for the draw to appear. She had a slightly sour look on her face as she watched the eight trainers faces appear on the screen ready for the random shuffle. Drew had not only made into the final eight but had matched her score of 29.8. Although he came into the room looking rather smug there had only been a splatter of applause. The eight trainers that made it through stood and watched the screen and just as the faces appeared a commotion distracted them. May looked to see and out of breath Ash, Pikachu on his shoulder, and Latias just behind. She ran over and took him to one side.

"What did you find out?" she asked quietly,

"The dock entrance we needed to get through was guarded by an Aqua grunt." May scowled but let Ash carry on, "Pikachu not only found a way for us to get in but scouted around inside and found where they were holding Bianca." His face was grim. "We have about an hour before they move her out of town." May gasped but before she could say anything Drew appeared beside them.

"Well May. Looks like we're meeting each other next. We need to head straight to the stage." He smirked as he looked at Ash, who simply scowled, "If you can handle being with out your boyfriend for longer than 5 minutes." Moving away Ash and May looked at each other.

"Ash I can't leave now. If I do we're stuck in Griffin City for a month." Ash gaped at May but his anger got the better of him.

"Fine." May was shocked, but quickly saw how angry he was. His fists were clenched and he was shaking slightly. "Leave to Ash to save her. It always me isn't it. I seem to always have to put MY life on the line! I'm fed up with it!" He turned and stormed out the room. Pikachu and Latias stood there in shock as he left. May collapsed to her knees and a tear left her eye.

"Ash. I didn't mean..." She sobbed uncontrollably. Pikachu tried to comfort her but it was useless.