This will be a short chapter concerning the others in the story, seeing as there should be another break from the main story. By others, I mean a little bit of quality time between Drew and Zoey. I've already established them as a couple in the prequel and I should continue their relationship, even if it is somewhat of a love-hate relationship. I must say, though, that this chapter maybe mostly "fluff," and I guess kind of a one-shot.

I also wish to give the proper name of the ShuuNozo pairing as "MotivationShipping." Why? I believe it's because when they both came to mind initially, I know that they helped May and Dawn respectively in becoming successful Coordinators through their own methods. Drew was arrogant and critical, prodding May to improve herself as a Coordinator since he saw his earlier self in her. Zoey acted as the "best female friend" role for Dawn instead of the usual arrogant rival behavior. It made sense to me to give the pairing the name and I haven't seen any official declaration of the fan pairing from Bulbapedia yet. "LeafRedShipping" would just be another name to the pairing. But I digress.

So now, please enjoy…

Things have started to become easier to handle.

The Kanto region was nearing its completion. The eradication of the ShadowPokérus was more than halfway finished for their part. Gary, Brock, Zoey, and Drew were very active for the past seven months. They stopped the artificial virus in its tracks before it got to spread to far places, which was a smart tactic for sure. With only the water routes south of Kanto, Seafoam Islands, and Cinnabar Island left to cover, the loyal group of friends was sure to finish within the last three months of their year limit.

Of course, now that things have calmed for the better, the four of them deserved some relaxation time for themselves. They all unanimously agreed on the motion so they temporarily split off for their own needs. Brock went back to Fuchsia City to pick up supplies. Gary was off training his Pokémon. Finally, Drew and Zoey were left to themselves at the beach south of Fuchsia. The beaches were still populated. Just because there was a threat to mankind on the loose didn't mean that they should spend the supposed last months of their lives living in fear.

After all, the greatest Pokémon trainer of his time was out there with two of his strongest friends to handle the problem. The term, friend, in this case would refer to his empathetic, telepathic lover and serious, callous rival.

Regardless of everything else, Drew and Zoey decided to spend their free time together to get to know each other more. Their relationship would possibly go from a comical love-hate connection to a more serious one like Ash and Anabel's relationship. Such a puzzling thought remained in their minds as they dressed appropriately for the beach for their day off.

Waiting outside the women's dressing room in purple trunks, Drew laid on the wall casually. He attracted several female admirers that emerged from the room to keep himself occupied, whether it would be listening to them go on and on about his looks and Coordinator skills or trying to kiss him. Of course, the latter choice would probably lead to unnecessary and expensive plastic surgery.

This is not a Contest she's dressing up for, Drew thought, growing more impatient by the minute and irritated by the fan girls. How hard can it be to put on a bikini?

At last, she came out of the small dressing hut. Her soft barefoot steps were heard echoing the grains of crushed sand upon quietly exiting. Drew looked up in her direction with the sun's mild rays illuminating his pale face and his widen emerald eyes. The fan girls had dispersed, seeing as the charming Coordinator no longer had any interest in them. There by the doorway entered his fair Zoey, clad in only a two-piece maroon bikini. Her sunglasses only added extra appeal, to which Drew didn't mind at all.

"Hey there, handsome," Zoey said nonchalantly, giving him a quick pose of her thin, alluring body. "Still waiting for me, I see?"

"You sure know what to give a guy," Drew chuckled with a satisfied grin. "What say you we get started?" Zoey briefly giggled, hooking her arm with Drew's.

"I'd say, 'What took you so long to ask?'"

"Oh, touché," Drew replied with enunciation of his last word.

The two Coordinators began their long, scenic walk down to the warm and sandy beach. The beach was not populated with many people and Pokémon, but it was not considered to be deserted either. The small group of beachgoers was playing in the sand, surfing, enjoying a game of volleyball, or just simply sunbathing. With both of them being rather laidback and somewhat mature for their age, Zoey and Drew agreed on relaxing on a large towel in the bright sun. In these late days, the sun was considered a blessing and the last symbol of hope before eventual darkness would consume the sky.

The Coordinators' stylish Pokémon also had the chance to play around by the push and pull of the ocean's coastal waves. Drew's Butterfree and Zoey's Mismagius hovered together over the sun's reflection on the ocean in a somewhat hypnotic dance. Flygon and Altaria flew across the beach in a race at a high altitude as to not whip up sandstorms. Drew's Houndoom was stuffing its face with fresh barbeque food. Zoey's Lumineon swam underwater and played with several kids and their Pokémon as well. Enjoying the ocean above the surface with the salty sea winds touching their faces lightly were Roserade and Gastrodon, acting as the captain and sailboat respectively. This finally left Absol and Glameow sleeping in the shade of the umbrella near their human partners.

"Wow! It's been a while since I last saw my Pokémon so happy and relaxed," Zoey commented, lying upon Drew's shoulder. They were sitting up with Drew's arm around her firm body, watching their Pokémon spend their free time in creative and basic activities.

"I guess carrying less than six Pokémon did help out, in your case at least, Zoey," Drew said, looking up to see his Flygon and her Altaria taking another aerial lap around. "Altaria needed your guidance and warmth after everything it's been through."

"It was the youngest out of its flock and was attacked by Shadow Ice Pokémon in those frigid mountains," Zoey added, seeing the carefree smile formed on Altaria's beak. The Humming Pokémon enjoyed its leisurely flight in the skies, whether it would be enjoying the breeze against its cloud-like wings or matching competitive velocities with Flygon. "Its separation from the other Altaria was really traumatizing to it. I couldn't just leave it there in the mountains."

"I was freezing my posterior out there!"

"Well, you should have dressed warmer, Drew. Brock did warn us that he and Misty were separated from Ash during their earliest journey through Kanto."

"So a wicked blizzard separated them because of Ash's immaturity. Even I can see a maturity milestone in that kid's life now. Besides, staying in those mountains did have its benefits."

"Oh, Drew," Zoey sighed amiably. "If you're referring to the discovered hot springs, then I'm glad that the exploration wasn't a total loss for you."

"No… it wasn't."

"Drew?"

"Discovering the hot springs was one thing…," Drew began, a warm grin creeping on his face, "but being able to share them with you made suffering the cold climate all worth it."

He least expected a sentimental gratitude from his down-to-earth girlfriend, but what Drew did not expect was Zoey seizing his green-haired head into her hands and planting a wet, passionate kiss on his lips. It lasted for a good ten seconds, during which Drew released his initial confusion and enjoyed the smooch. Once it had ended, both Coordinators where left gasping for breath.

"That… was the sweetest thing you've ever said to me, Drew," Zoey said, her voice breaking and her ruby eyes sparkling like pure gems.

"Uh, no problem…?"

"I'm sorry if I sound really girly, but you've finally learned how to treat a woman correctly. I'm so proud of you!"

"I see," Drew sighed, closing his eyes contemplatively. "I have to say, Zoey, that before we met, I thought you were an uptight prick for always having to look after Dawn."

"And I originally thought you were an obnoxious, womanizing git with bad lines," Zoey replied in the same tone.

"Okay, let's not get carried away," Drew said with a hint of embarrassment in his tone. "You did help become a better person since we met, you know. Dawn was lucky to have you as a friend and rival in Contests."

"Well, allowing people to see beyond their own limitations has been challenging for me," Zoey concurred. "Besides that, you've gotten to me through your own twisted ways."

"Eh?"

"I guess, in a way, changed as well thanks to you," Zoey began, spinning her fingers together. "I've became more in touch with my sensitive side, considering that I'm a bit tomboyish."

"A bit tomboyish?" Drew repeated with a raised eyebrow. Zoey gave him a look; she did not need the extra and slightly condescending confirmation from him.

"Hey, I'm wearing a two-piece just for you, Drew," Zoey reasoned, regaining control over the conversation. "I believe that's just one of the things that resulted from meeting you. But honestly, I wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for him." Drew got the idea and snickered quietly to himself.

"Really, how many lives has he touched upon and made for the better?" Drew queried lightheartedly. "After all, he got you to see that a person is capable of both Gym and Contest battles. Want living proof? Just find that musical bard I first battled upon returning to Kanto after the Johto Grand Festival. I think he was also convinced by him."

"Oh, yeah… I wonder how Nando is these days. I hope he's safe, wherever he is now."

"Gave him hard time too?"

"Mmm-hmm," Zoey nodded in a downcast way. She felt something furry brush past her arm on the side opposite from Drew. She turned her head and found Glameow awake and staring at her. "What is it?"

"Nya-ru…," Glameow purred. Its eyes narrowed slyly and its wide grin giving off a snicker.

… Uh, oh boy, Zoey thought, taken back by Glameow's look. Its hypnotic yellow eyes taunted her of her true feelings for the Coordinator next to her. "… Scat."

"Pardon?" Drew asked, having heard an inaudible sound from Zoey.

"Oh, it's nothing, Drew," Zoey said, waving her hands in denial next to an innocent-looking Glameow. Drew shrugged it off and lied on his back to sunbathe. Zoey looked back at Glameow with a slightly irritated look; the latter had a devious smirk. "I'll deal with you later, Glameow."

"So just to repeat, I guess we both became better when we started hanging out more often," Drew surmised, his eyes closed from the sunlight. "You showed me that if I wanted to be with you, I really had to act like a proper gentleman to other ladies."

"And your advances actually made me soften up a bit," Zoey added, lying down next to him. She placed her arm across his bare chest and relaxed. "You know, I was originally into Ash before I discovered that he and Anabel hooked up back at the Battle Tower long time ago. What made you decide to come after me despite getting off at a rocky start?"

"Eh, you were on the rebound with May and Dawn after getting your butts kicked by Anabel in that Pokémon brawl of yours," Drew shrugged indifferently. Zoey sat up, incredulous at his answer. "I'm kidding! Sheesh…"

"Then tell me the real answer, dear," Zoey threatened mildly.

"Well, you were different than the other women I've met, Zoey," Drew explained, looking into her eyes with sincerity. "I could immediately tell that you've had a strong, serious passion about being a Top Coordinator." Zoey cocked her head to the side with a bit of disbelief. "Your attitude was definitely different from May's. Instead of struggling to stay alive like a daffodil, you had the sharpness and beauty of a rose. But in reality, I never thought I would actually end up in a relationship with you. Not even in my dreams that I considered the possibility. But now, we're together and that's that."

"… And you're still attracted to me even though I've soften up?" Zoey asked.

"Hey, you're still who you are as far as anyone's concerned. I've only seen you act girly with me and your closest girl friends. Plus, I'm held responsible for your slight personality change."

"I've had some adjustments," Zoey said, returning to her previous position next to Drew. She snuggled up to him, the warmth enhanced by the sun. "Drew?"

"Yes, Zoey?"

"Thanks for motivating me to be the best. May was so lucky to have you as a rival. And… I love you."

"Yeah, same here; I love you too," Drew's soft voice chuckled.

The crooning tones of his chuckle soothed Zoey, erasing her anxieties and worries of their fairly strong relationship. While they have achieved a higher level of love, devotion, and trust, their bond was still not a match for another couple. Ash and Anabel may have had a head start in learning how to read each other's hearts, but Drew and Zoey were much more thorough in their approaches. Much like Contests, neither one gave up on the miniscule possibility that they would wind up together beyond their wildest dreams. They were their own witnesses to their bright, blossoming love. However, two more witnesses looked on from the distance of the road above the beach, amused and satisfied.

"You know, taking a break today from saving wild Pokémon was totally worth it," Gary said, drinking the remaining soda in the can.

"It was about time that Drew and Zoey shared a real romantic moment," Brock added with Happiny sleeping in his arms. "Now would be a good time to let them go off on their own, Gary. That is unless you still want them to travel with us."

"Nah! I don't think it'll be worth trying to lug those love birds around for a few days," Gary said, turning his back to the beach. "We've already got one couple with an icy straight man to save us all. We need to ensure Kanto's safety before anything else, even if Zoey and Drew won't cooperate any more. As the wiser and older of the group, we must preserve the younger generation."

"Hmm… You know, Dawn did have a point about you the last time I talked to her."

"Hmm?"

"You definitely resemble your grandfather more now than you were in Sinnoh."

"Eh… okay. So I am."

"Here's your Charizard back, Ash," the Nurse Joy of Phenac City said, handing the young Aura Guardian back the Poké Ball. "Here's a bit of advice before you leave."

"What's that, Nurse Joy?" Ash queried.

"I wouldn't use Charizard immediately if I were you. The Water attack on his tail's flame wasn't fatal, but it's just a safety precaution."

"Charizard seemed okay after the battle, but I'll take your word for it," Ash said, minimizing the Poké Ball. "I should probably swap Pokémon and give Charizard a break. Plus, the others can also get to see Orre for themselves."

"Now that's a good idea! Take care, Ash!" Nurse Joy replied with a wave.

As Ash left the reception counter, he noticed from the corner of his eye that Paul was in the row of videophones talking to Reggie. From what he could gather before walking to a videophone next to him, Paul had exchanged a Pokémon for another as seen with a new Poké Ball in its transporter. Reggie was also laughing rather loudly for a reason.

"Wow, Paul! Looks like battles are not the only things you excel at!" Reggie exclaimed, calming down. "Your adventures sound entertaining, right up to the part where you tackled Anabel into the… oasis water!" His uproar of laughter rose again with Paul's impatience dropping dangerously into the red.

"I only called for Pokémon exchanges, not for your insipid laughter over trivial matters," Paul stated, his angered voice strained. "Good-bye." He abruptly ended the call and stood up. He found Ash sitting in the videophone next to him with a dumbfounded expression. "Not a word to anyone." Ash's response was a slow, robotic nod. "Hmph."

"Hey, Ash!" Anabel's voice called out with her coming from the bathroom. Her silk blouse was still not dry so she was reduced to wearing a button lavender tee with frilly curves on the bottom end and her sleeve ends. The tee was rather revealing if one should happen to think about it. Her expression froze and glowered when she saw Paul nearby, coming to a slow stop behind Ash. "What are you doing here?"

"Like that matters to anyone else," Paul muttered coldly. Their earlier incident back at the Oasis PokéSpot created quite a rift between the two Trainers of opposite personalities. Not even Ash could mediate this fight for long. "Why don't you go stick your feet in someone's drink?"

"Why don't you remove the poor creature stuck up your butt?"

"Guys, enough of this!" Ash spoke out, having to come between Paul and Anabel for the seventh time in a row today. Their glaring sparks of anger still pierced though the mediator despite his best attempts. He glanced at Paul. "We're here at Phenac City and didn't bother to sightsee." He shifted his gaze on Anabel. "We're here at the Pokémon Center, free from the desert wilderness. So please relax."

A few seconds had passed and so far, there was still no progress of the incident being left in the past as it should. Ash looked at both sides, their grim expressions remained. It was only until Anabel broke the silence with a deep breath. She walked past Ash and closer to Paul until their faces were a few centimeters away.

"This isn't over yet," Anabel whispered rather vehemently at his face. Paul's expression remained bitter. "I love Ash too much to make him worry like this. I'll let you win this once only if you swear not to push me like that in the oasis."

"I don't make promises I want to keep," Paul said in a level tone. He faced away from her and went to the Center's exit in his usual even pace. Anabel was flustered for a second before brushing it off with another deep breath.

"Let it go, Anabel," Ash said, coming to her aid. Anabel slightly relaxed in his touch. "You know you're the better person out of all of this. Just let Paul be whatever he wants to be and you be you. Got it?"

"I understand," Anabel sighed, allowing Ash's warmth to eradicate her hate of Paul.

Quite an eventful chapter, wouldn't you agree? While I did mean to focus mainly upon Zoey and Drew, I guess I needed to add a small part of the main story along with it. Though this ending does not exactly progress through the story, it does show quite the character development. Ah, yes, character development is what I feel I still need to work on.

If you would please review, it will be appreciated. I want to listen to your thoughts about this chapter.

Ciao!