Act Thirty-Three: The Ultimate Masquerade
Pokemon Quest Update: Ash finally acquired the last of the six Sebastian Island gym badges. He and the gang will leave for Sinnoh the day after tomorrow.
Ash and the gang traveled to Laguna Island on the southernmost end of the Sebastian Islands to do some fishing and cool off in the pristine inland lake. There, May and Dawn competed in a bikini competition to see who was more attractive between brunette and cerulean hair. While Ash's opinion on Dawn's new swimsuit was very good, he practically trembled before May's prowess. Then, her other persona decided to play a little trick on her by having Gastly use Psychic to somehow ruin her. Surprisingly, May used it to her advantage and forced Dawn to put the entire lake to boil like one giant hot pot! The battle's getting more intense but that kind of ridiculous act is as far as it's going to go.
"Just whose side are you really on?" Dawn asked angrily. 'We're supposed to be a team!"
"Don't blame me. I didn't know she would use my trick to her advantage."
"You know what? I think I should work alone from this point on. You are relieved."
"Well, fine. Suit yourself."
"I'll put May out of the picture myself."
After several failed attempts to break the chain binding Ash and May together, the shadowy alliance has finally been broken. While her former partner-in-crime was still unsure of what to do, Dawn was on her own. If they couldn't topple May down as partners how well would she do alone? Ash and May have grown closer together since May's weight problem. Dawn soon came to a realization that it was impossible up to this point to separate those two. But still she insisted on continuing the fight for reasons she wouldn't tell.
Jonz: Why won't you tell, Dawn?
Dawn: Because I don't want to…leave me alone.
---0---0---0---0---0---
Ash and May are currently in the middle of a random practice battle. It wasn't some sort of need-to-know-who's-stronger type of battle but for both competitors to polish on their skills. But something was missing in the battle. May wasn't her usual self during the practice round.
"Buizel, use Aqua Jet!" Ash's Buizel, originally Dawn's, started running like a comet; its movement covered in running water.
"Glaceon, cover Buziel's path with Ice Beam!" May's Glaceon bombarded the battlefield with arrays of Ice Beam. The entire field became a skating rink as Buizel lost its balance and started sliding across the icy field.
"Buizel, hang in there!"
"Glaceon, let's finish it up with Ice Fang!"
Glaceon bit Buizel with cold fangs. The latter Pokemon was rendered unable to battle in an instant after a devastating finishing blow.
"Buizel is unable to battle!" Brock acted as the judge. "Glaceon wins. Victory goes to May!"
It seemed only like yesterday when she first started on her Pokemon journey. Since then, she has grown stronger, smarter, and not to mention prettier. Somehow, Ash had taken a sudden particular liking to May.
"You've gotten a lot stronger since our last meeting." Ash remarked.
"It wouldn't be possible if you didn't guide me in the first place." May smiled.
"Hey, you hurt yourself." Ash noticed a gash on her right arm probably as a result from Glaceon's Ice Shard that flew out of control during their battle.
---0---FLASHBACK START---0---
"Glaceon, use Ice Shard!" May instructed her Glaceon.
"Buizel, use Aqua Jet! Let's go!" Ash's Buizel, formerly Dawn's, started running like a comet; it's movement covered by running water.
Buizel's attack was successful, throwing Glaceon several feet into the air while its Ice Shard bombarded the battlefield and even the outskirts of the field. The edgy shards of ice hit May particularly in her arm. Glaceon immediately stopped the moment it saw its trainer yelling in excruciating pain.
"May, are you alright?" Ash asked out of concern. "Can you continue?"
"Don't worry; it's only a minor scratch. Let's continue. Glaceon, use Iron Tail!"
---0---FLASHBACK END---0---
"I already told you. It's no big deal. It's just a scratch; nothing serious." The coordinator said calmly.
Then, Brock entered the conversation. "If it's not too burdensome for you, can I ask you two a favor?"
"Not at all, Brock; so what is it?"
"Anything as long as it doesn't involve babysitting Bonsly. I had a hard time with it last time."
"Don't worry; I'm just going to ask the both of you to run some errands in East Sebastian Island today. I was planning to cook up a grand feast for all of us on the eve of our departure. Here's a list on what I need for tomorrow." Brock handed over the long list of groceries both of them must buy. "I've already asked Alex to take you to East Sebastian."
"You can count on us. We'll get the job done." Ash said with the usual confidence.
"But don't you usually do all the errand-running?" asked May curiously.
"I wish I could. But I've been asked by the gym leader here to act as the referee of the battles."
"You just do what you have to do. We'll take care of the rest."
"Good luck on your refereeing."
"Thanks, you guys."
---0---0---0---0---0---
A few hours later, Ash was all set to be Brock for a day. May wasn't.
"Oh, I forgot my purse upstairs. Can you wait for me?" said the coordinator.
"Sure, but don't take too long." Ash replied.
"I won't."
Hurryingly, May ran back into the mansion and climbed upstairs to the girls' quarters. She saw her Pikachu-shaped purse on top of the coffee table; just where she always leaves it. Quickly, she grabbed a hold of the purse and hurried back to the yacht. Eventually, the two met up and boarded the yacht which left at a moment's notice. Upon arriving at East Sebastian Island, they walked inside the grocery store with Brock's list and a shopping basket in hand. With the two of them uninterrupted by any outside forces (Dawn for example), May used this opportunity to ask Ash about something…particularly in the produce aisle.
"Ash, I've been meaning to ask you something for quite some time." She said, gripping the basket handle tightly.
"What is it?" An expected response from the trainer…
"Have you…uh…ever loved somebody in your entire life?"
"Sure I have."
"You do?" May was stunned.
"I love my mom, my friends, and not to mention my buddy Pikachu."
That wasn't the response she had expected. Then again, she didn't make the question very specific. "Why am I not so thrilled anymore?"
At the Pokemon products aisle, she asked another question in relation to the query earlier. This time, it was personal.
"That's not what I meant, Ash. I mean 'the other kind of love'." May snapped.
"The other kind of love…?"
"You know…? You and me…relationship…"
"What are you talking about, May—?"
"Ash Ketchum, do you love me or not?!"
May: Waaaaaah…! I can't believe I said that in public!
Jonz: Finally, we're getting somewhere! Just the way…aha, aha I like it…
The people nearby turned their attention to the blushing young trainers. Ash saved the both of them from further embarrassment by moving to a different aisle. According to the list, they were actually done with the errands but the trainer had one more item that begged to be bought. Ash instructed May to go on ahead with the groceries while he searches for that item begging to be bought. After packing the groceries in bags and Ash had bought the item he sought, they went back to the yacht together to return to Martinez Island; the trainer carrying two bags full of what Brock had listed down. It was getting dark and chilly outside.
"Ash, I feel like a popsicle." May snapped.
"It won't be long now before we reach the dock." Ash replied unaware of the coordinator's next bold move. "Just hang in there—"
In a stunning turn of events and with people around, May hugged Ash as tight as she would hug her plush toys. The trainer, still holding onto the groceries, was startled and dumbfounded. This was one move he didn't anticipate completely.
"Ash…I feel cold and weak." The coordinator's personality suddenly changed completely as well. "I don't feel safe if you're not around."
"May…" He replied softly. "I—"
He noticed someone was looking from a distance—it was another other May. She didn't seem to be very happy to see him considering that his companion was wrapped around him. She began shedding tears and ran as far away from possible. Ash dropped the groceries slowly onto the pavement and tried giving chase to her. But he was prevented from doing so.
"Wait! Don't go! Ash, I need you here…by my side!"
"Let go of me…doppelganger." Ash's anger was starting to well up inside of him.
That accursed word alone tore May apart. But she was still insisting. "Ash, I'm not who you think—"
The trainer had heard enough. He did the most radical thing a male could ever do to a female. The force of his strong slap made May fall. Then, all hell broke loose.
"You've played me for a sucker for too long. This foolishness ends here, May. Goodbye…"
END OF ACT THIRTY-THREE
Jonz: Whoa! May, why are you crying?
May: I couldn't stand Ash and I breaking up. Please pass me a tissue.
Jonz: It's only a fan fiction. It's not like this is going to be animated or something.
May: Still…I want my Ash back to me!
Jonz: Oh boy…some people can be full of it.