Sorry for the update being so late. My life has just been a little more hectic than I would prefer. But, I am back and truly sorry. On another note, thanks to Yami no Silvar, LuciferIX, 'Jhooney-The-Loverboy', MannyJr and Bongojack for reviewing the last chapter. It make me happy. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 14

Ash and May, after leaving the group, quickly departed to their seperate hotels. Ash agreed to meet May at her hotel as soon as he was dressed.

"Ok Pikachu." Ash said as he walked out of the bathroom after two minutes of being in the hotel. "How do I look for my date with May?"

Pikachu blinked at Ash's choice of regular clothing. He hadn't even taken the time to change. Pikachu got up, crossed the room, and promptly lit Ash up like a christmas tree with electricity.

"So, I take it you think I should change...?" Ash said, extra crispy.

"Pika! Pikachu chu chupi kachu!" Pikachu lectured as it pointed to a suit that was hanging in Ash's closet.

"But, that suit is all itchy and stuffy and I don't like it!" Ash complained. Pikachu glared at Ash, giving him a menacing look. Ash, out of terror, took the suit and entered the bathroom once more.

After another ten minutes, Ash exited the bathroom. This time, however, Ash was dressed in a sharp looking suit. He was wearing a gray button-down shirt, a pair of black slacks, a pair of black dress shoes that looked highly uncomfortable, and a black overcoat to finish off the suit.

"Pika..." Pikachu sighed as it threw Ash's dark gray tie at him. Ash sighed as he relented to put the tie on.

"This is for May, after all.." he said as he tied the tie.

"Pika!" Pikachu cheered as it looked at its trainer.

"So you approve?" Ash asked. Pikachu nodded. "Well then, I'm off to pick up May." Ash then quickly left the room.

After fifteen minutes of walking, Ash reached May's hotel. And, after another five minutes he was standing outside her door.

"Ok can do this." Ash said, psyching himself up.

Ash knocked. It was a few seconds before Ash heard movement on the other side of the door. The door slowly opened to reveal May. However, May was not dressed normally. She was wearing a light blue dress that reached her ankles, the dress complimented May's figure nicely. Also, she was wearing the same shade of blue open-toed heels, a gold bracelet, and modest diamond ear rings. Her hair was not up in its usual look, but loose and flowing down her back. She had make-up on, but not so much as to hide her own natural beauty, the beauty that Ash had come to love. In short, she looked gorgeous.

Ash stood there, his mouth gaping. May giggled at his response.

"I take it that you like what you see?" May giggled. Ash blushed.

"Y-you look beautiful." Ash stuttered.

"Thanks Ash." she said before looking him up and down. "You look pretty good yourself."

"The suit was Pikachu's doing." Ash mumbled.

"Oh," she said. "Well, then remind me to thank him."

"Anyways, let's go." Ash said as he offered May his hand, which she happily took. They then set off.

Ash and May happily made their way down the street. As they walked, Ash seemed to be preoccupied looking for something.

"So Ash, where are we going?" May asked as she and Ash turned a corner.

"Well, May." he said. "I promised you we would go somewhere nice, so that's where I'm taking you."

"Ok..." May said, still confused. The two continued walking for a few more minutes before a restaraunt came into view.

"There it is!" Ash exclaimed. May took a good look at the restaraunt.

It was a rose red color with white edges surrounding its doors and windows. At its top was fancy writing that spelt out the words 'Dark Rose'. All in all, May was impressed by Ash's choice of restaraunt.

"Wow Ash!" she exclaimed. "I think you made a great choice for our evening together."

"Thanks!" he said. They then entered said restaraunt.

(With Max)

"Are you sure you don't mind helping me?" Max yelled across the field. "I mean if you hurry then you might be able to catch up to Misty and the others with their spying mission."

"Naw, I can always watch the video later." Lindsey called back. "Besides you want to be prepared for your battle tomorrow right?"

"Yeah, especially since it's against Tyson." Max told her. "Ok."

Lindsey reached for a pokeball and threw it. "Go Pinsir!"

"Go Sandslash!" Max called as he too released his pokemon.

"Pinsir use Brick Break!"

"Sandslash use Slash!"

(With Ash)

"May I take your order?" a young waitress asked the pair.

"Um yes." Ash said looking at the menu. "Um... I'll have the steak and a salad."

"How would you like it?" she asked.

"Um.. cooked?" Ash replied. At that May nearly fell out of her seat from laughter.

"Um... ok..." the waitress said giving Ash a funny look. "I'll say well done." she then turned to May. "And what would you like?"

"Um...." May said, finally slowing down her laughter. "I think I'll have the same thing, but make mine medium rare if you don't mind."

"Not a problem." the waitress assured her. "Your meals will be out shortly." With that, the waitress departed in the direction of the kitchen.

Ash looked over at May. "So um... " Ash said, trying to get a conversation going. "How ya been?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Ash mentally kicked himself for being so lame. May giggled.

"Ash," she said in a warm voice as she gently touched his hand. "Why are you so nervous all of the sudden?"

"Well," Ash said quietly. "If you must know. I've never been on a date before..."

"You don't need to be so nervous. Just talk to me like you normally do." May told him. "But, why have you never been on a date before? I mean, you're nineteen. Didn't you date while you were away?"

Ash stared at her, very confused. "Um.. no." was his only reply.

"Why?" May asked. Surely he had the chance May thought I find it hard to believe that no one wanted to date Ash.

"I was way too busy thinking about you to even consider dating anyone else." Ash told her matter-of-factly.

"Did you guys here what he just said?!" Dawn squeeled as she peered through the plant she was currently hiding behind.

"Yeah, who'd have thought Ash was so intimate..." Ritchie replied from behind a statue. "Right Brock?" Ritchie looked over at Brock only to regret it. Brock was currently furiously writing down notes of what Ash was doing, with the thought of a certain nurse and police woman in mind.

"So what?" Morrison huffed. "I could do that too, if I wanted to."

"Morrison, is there anything that you don't compete with Ash in?" Misty asked as Morrison attempted to swoon a passing waitress.

Morrison thought for a moment. "Nope. Nothing comes to mind." Morrison informed her before attempting with another passing waitress.

"Will you two shut-up?!" Dawn exclaimed in a low voice. "I'm trying to eavesdrop here."

"Sorry."

"Really?" May asked, deeply touched.

"Yeah, May. I really missed you." Ash said. "That's not to say that I didn't miss everyone else. Because I did. I mean not as much as you. I mean, i missed you a lot, but I missed them too. I mean-"

"Hey hey." May said cutting in to Ash's rant. "I know what you mean."

"Really?" Ash asked. May nodded. "That makes one of us." May giggled.

After that, May and Ash's food arrived.

"Enjoy your meal." the waitress said as she departed.

Ash eyed the green salad in front of him wearily, considering whether or not it was safe to eat. Then, Ash averted his gaze to the several forks lined up to his left. He took several moments deciding which fork to use before finally making a choice. May started to giggle as Ash attempted to eat his salad with an extremely large fork.

"What?" he asked.

"Ash," May said in between laughs. "Try eating with a smaller fork."

Ash blushed before setting the fork down and grabbing another. "This one?" he asked stupidly.

"Close enough." May giggled.

Over the course of the entire meal May continued to giggle at Ash's attempt's to eat in a respectful manor instead of sucking every edible item that is put in front of him like a vaccume, like he normally does. Ash would continually struggle to keep his elbows off of the table while, at the same time, trying to refrain from getting food all over his clothes. May, however, somehow managed to eat her own food, even though she spent a good amount of time laughing. By the time that the meal had ended, Ash had lightened up and began to laugh at his own ignorance.

As May and Ash left the restaraunt, and started to walk together they began to talk again.

"So Ash, where are we off to next?" May asked.

Ash looked away out of embarassment. "Well, to be honest I really don't have anywhere in mind... Wherever you want to go is fine with me."

"Hmmm.... How about we just walk through the park." May suggested to which Ash only agreed.

"Well, how do you like the competition so far?" Ash asked, his brain not being able to come up with a better conversation.

"Well," May replied. "I happen to know a few of the trainers competing." May told Ash playfully.

"Really?" Ash asked, playing along. The young couple had begun to walk slower as they reached a beautifully lit area of the park. "Who's your favorite competitor?"

"That would be my brother." May grinned. Ash agreed. "But, there is this other trainer that I really like."

"Is it someone I know?" Ash asked, still going with the charade.

"Maybe." May answered. "He's kinda tall, catches all sorts of pokemon, his first pokemon, which happens to be a Pikachu, rides on his shoulder. And he's recently started dating the most talented coordinator in the entire world." she finished with a triumphant pose.

"Really?" Ash asked, faking confusion. "Doesn't sound like anyone I know." By the look on May's face, Ash could tell that she was not amused. So, Ash opted to change the conversation. "So, May. I recall you agreeing to show me your pokemon. What I don't recall is ever seeing them."

May smiled as she stopped by a lamp post. "Ok" May agreed. Ash nodded. "Well then, how about we make this a double-date?" May said as she threw a pokeball into the air.

"Venaaa!" Venasaur called as it was released from its ball. Ash caught on fairly quick.

"Go!" Ash said as he released his own Venasaur. Upon seeing each other, the two plant pokemon quickly sprang together, not wanting to be apart apparently.

"Ok, now that that's over... Go Blaziken! Glaceon!" May said as she released the next two pokemon. Blaziken opted to merely stand where it had been released, while Glaceon walked over to Ash and May to greet them. May then selected the last three pokeballs out of her fanny pack and threw them into the air.

"Altaria!" called the first pokemon after release. "Clefable!" shouted the next. "Golduck!" the last pokemon called upon its own realease.

(With Max)

Sandslash and Pinsir collided directly in the middle of the field, both their attacks appearing to be even.

"Sandslash, Crush Claw!" Max called.

"Pinsir use another Brick Break!" Lindsey countered.

Sandslashs' claws began to glow as it stored energy in them, preparing to strike its foe. Pinsirs' arms glowed white as well, preparing its counter-attack. Thje two pokemon met at the same place as before, canceling out each others attacks.

"Ok Sandslash, use your Hidden Power!" Max called.

"Pinsir, dodge it and use Guillitine!" Lindsey called.

Sandslash quickly released several small, glowing orbs at Pinsir. Pinsir ducked under the attack before catching Sandslash in its' pinsirs. Pinsir then used all its' strength to deliver a finishing blow to Sandslash.

Sandslash tumbled to the ground, fainted due to Pinsirs' Guillitine. Max was dumbfounded at the way that Lindsey had taken out his Sandslash.

"Wow!" Max exclaimed as he recalled Sandslash. "No offense Lindsey, but I didn't really expect you to be this good."

"None taken Max." she assured him as she recalled Pinsir. "So I take it that you're impressed."

"You bet!" Max exclaimed. "You think you would be willing to help me train more often? Believe me, with Tyson as my next opponent... I could use the help."

Lindsey blushed slightly. "Yeah, sure Max. But, can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, what?" Max asked.

"Why are you so concerned about battling this Tyson guy?" Lindsey asked the trainer.

"Because...." Max sighed. "Tyson is the trainer that knocked Ash out of the Hoenn League when he competed. And his pokemon are all unbelievably strong."

"That doesn't mean that he's going to win." Lindsey told him. "Anyways, have you even decided on your pokemon for the next round yet?"

"Not quite..." Max replied sheepishly. Lindsey sighed.

"Max don't you think before you start training that you should decide on your pokemon for the next round...?" Lindsey asked.

"Um yeah.." Max said scratching the back of his head. "Why don't you go with me and help me choose?"

"Yeah, sure."

(With Ash)

"Wow May!" Ash exclaimed. "You caught some cool pokemon."

"Thanks Ash." May said. May then looked over at Altaria. "Hey, Altaria. Do you remember Ash?"

Ash looked confused as Altaria glided over nodding its head.

"Now that you mention it... Altaria does look kinda familiar." Ash said, taking a closer look. Altaria landed in front of Ash. Ash, wanting to be friendly, started to stroke the cloud-like feathers on Altaria's body.

"Well Ash, that's because this is the Swablu that we made friends with, back when you first traveled through Hoenn." May told him. Ash looked at May, astounded.

"Really?!" Ash asked, shocked at this revelation. May nodded. Ash turned to Altaria. "Wow, it looks like you got pretty powerful. When did you evolve?"

"Well, Swablu evolved just a few weeks before you came back, Ash." May informed the trainer. "During a contest, against Harley. Altaria really put Harley in his place."

(Flashback)

"Swablu!" May screamed as Swablu was sent crashing into the ground. Swablu was badly damaged, but May's points on the screen were still more than half.

Harley's Cacturne spun and delivered another devastating Drain Punch on Swablu, draining more of its energy.

"Sorry May, darling. But I think is the end of your coordinating winning streak. And, I think I'll end the battle with a Bang!" Harley sneered. "Now Cacturne use Dark Pulse! End that darling little bird."

"Swablu you gotta move!" May yelled. But, it was too late.

Cacturne released the dark energy on Swablu, encasing Swablu in dark matter. A few seconds later, the dark energy dissipated, leaving a badly injured Swablu lying on the ground.

"Swablu! Are you ok!?" May called, scared. Swablu slowly stood back up on its now wobbily legs.

"Well, one more strike should do it." Harley smirked. "Cacturne use Needle Arm!"

The spikes on Cacturne's arms started to glow as Cacturne prepared to strike Swablu again. Swablu, however, stared at Cacturne, determination in its eyes. Cacturne started to run, its arms prepared to strike. Just as Cacturne reached Swablu, Swablu began to glow. Swablu's body continued to glow as its body started to change and transform. Soon, the light began to fade, revealing Swablu's evolved form, Altaria.

The newly evolved Altaria quickly took to the air before releasing a green blast at Cacturne. Cacturne cried out in pain as it was struck by the blast. May looked on with astonishment.

"That was a Dragonbreath!" she exclaimed as she pulled out her pokedex.

"Altaria." the pokedex rang out in its electronic voice. "The Humming pokemon and the evolved form of Swablu. If it bonds with a person, it will gently envelop the friend with its soft wings, then hum."

"Ok Altaria, use Aerial Ace!" May called.

Altaria launched high above the stage and quickly dived at Cacturne. Cacturne shrieked in pain as it was struck by the super-effective attack.

"Nooo, my precious Cacturne!" Harley squeeled in outrage.

May glanced at the clock and noticed she only had ten seconds to end this battle.

"Caturne use Pin Missle!" Harley yelled after noticing that May was distracted.

"Altaria use Air Cutter!" May called out.

Cacturne fired several spikes from its body, trying to strike down Altaria. Altaria slashed its wings in the air, not aiming at Cacturne, but its spikes. The blast of air, created by Altaria, struck the spikes and sent them soaring with twice the force back at Cacturne. Cacturne was caught offgaurd as it was struck by the spikes quickly followed by the powerful blast of wind. After the super-powerful assault, Cacturne collapsed.

All three judges panels lit up with red X's to signify that Harley had lost.

"And May Maple takes another contest victory with her newly evolved Altaria!"

May's Altaria glided over to where she stood. May wasted no time before launching into a big hug with her new pokemon. "You did great!" she cheered. "And, together we'll become an unbeatable team!"

(End Flashback)

"Wow!" Ash exclaimed after May finished her story. "You and Altaria must have had a lot of fun."

"Oh yeah!" May laughed. Ash looked around at May's other new pokemon. Golduck had was currently trying to strike up a conversation with Blaziken, who was ignoring the duck. Clefable was staring at the full moon.

"So, how about a battle?" Ash suggested.

"No way!" May exclaimed.

"Why?" Ash asked, a little surprised by May's outburst.

"Because," May said, her temper slowly rising due to Ash's stupidity. "We are on a DATE! And I am not going to battle with you on our date!"

"Fine.." Ash huffed.

"Now, can we please continue our date?" May asked as she recalled her pokemon to their balls. All except Venasaur. "I know this cool place that you and I can go from here."

"Alright, then lead the way my lady!" Ash said with enthusiasm as he made a bow. May giggled at his antics.

"Ooh, they're going somewhere special." Misty grinned.

"What do you say we follow them?" Dawn asked with the same grin.

"No!" Ritchie exclaimed. "Come on guys, that's too much. It's bad enough that we're spying on them on their date, but do we really have to follow them to such a private place?"

"Yes!" Misty, Dawn and Morrison exclaimed.

"Well, I'm not going with you!" Ritchie yelled back.

Misty, Dawn and Morrison all looked at each other and shrugged.

"Then you leave us no choice.." Dawn sighed as she, Misty and Morrison all charged Ritchie. Seconds later, the trio retreated from Ritchie to reveal him to tied to a lamppost.

"Hey!" Ritchie shouted. "Why did you guys tie me to a pole?!"

"Because, we can't have you going and tipping off Ash and May. Duh!" Morrison told him as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. After that, Misty, Morrison and Dawn swiftly headed off in the direction Ash and May went.

"Brock!" Ritchie called catching the breeder's attention. "Help me!"

"I would," said Brock. "But, I would just be tied to the lamppost next to you if Misty, Dawn or Morrison caught me. So I think I'll just follow them."

"Brock! Don't leave me here!" Ritchie yelled frantically.

"I'll be back to let you down later!" Brock called back as he disappeared in to the darkness.

"Great..." Ritchie sighed before he looked up to the lit light to which he was tied. "Well, at least there's light." The lightbulb burned out. "Crap."

(With Max)

Max and Lindsey didn't take long to get to the pokemon center. And as soon as they were inside, Max went to the p.c. and contacted Petalburg.

"Wow..." Lindsey said looking at the list of Max's pokemon on the screen..

"What?" Max asked.

"Well, it's just that, seeing as you're an experienced trainer, I expected you to have more than eleven pokemon." Lindsey told him.

Max got an embarassed look on his face. "Yeah, well. Instead of catching every pokemon I see, I like to train the ones that I do have to be the greatest." Max said proudly.

"Ok, so then you're confident in all of your pokemon's abilities?" she asked.

"Of course I am!" Max exclaimed.

"Then it really shouldn't matter which pokemon Tyson uses. And you shouldn't have much difficulty choosing your own pokemon either." Lindsey told him.

"I'm not entirely sure how you got that logic..." Max told her. Lindsey sweatdropped. "But, I think I know which pokemon I'm going to use."

"Good! Now all you have to do is register them." Lindsey said.

(With Ash)

Ash and May continued to walk in the direction that May had pointed them in. After about five minutes of silent walking, May stopped.

"What is it, May?" Ash asked confused as to why she had stopped.

"We're here." May told him simply as she pointed to a small hill. "Let's go!" she said as she grabbed his hand and led him up to the top of the hill. The Venasaur couple slowly made their way up the hill after their trainers.

"What is so special about this place?" Ash asked as he and May reached the top of the small incline.

"I came here the last time I was in Evergrand." May began to explain as she slowly sat down on the grass. "It was during a Grand Festival. I was walking around looking for a quiet place to think when I came upon this small hill. It seemed so quiet that I thought I could just relax here. And I did. What makes this hill so special is that, on the night that I was sitting on this hill, I found myself thinking of you a lot. And it was here, two-and-a-half years ago that I made a promise to myself to never stop looking for you." May told Ash in a small voice. "I promised myself that, if I ever got the chance, I would tell you how much I missed you and how much you mean to me. It was at that moment that I realized that I was unmistakably in love with you." May finished with a blush.

Ash sat in silence as he watched May shift uncomfortably. Finally, after several minutes Ash spoke. "I'm glad I came back." Ash told her. "If I hadn't then I wouldn't be with you right here, right now, telling you that I love you too." Ash told May with his trademark boyish grin.

"Thanks Ash." May sighed as they both leaned in closer for a kiss. Ash and May stayed on the hilltop for a long while longer, just enjoying each other's company. Their Venasaur's the only thing keeping them company.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the first match of the second round of the Victory Tournament! Today we have one hot battle after another in store so don't go anywhere! I'm you're announcer Tom!" Tom blaired into the mic. "Now, our first battle pits a reknowned league competitor against a trainer who has recently devoted his life to pokemon research! So, without further ado, I give you our competitors!"

Gary slowly walked on to the field, and entered the red trainer's box. His opponent, a tall young woman with purple flowing hair entered the green trainer's box.

"In the green box we have Amelia Thomas from Cianwood Island!" Tom yelled. "Amelia is well known because of her recent runner-up position at the Evergrand Championship last year. Amelia has only competed in regional tournaments twice since she became a trainer five years ago. And, on both of those occasions she has placed in an outstandingly high place. So, we should expect great things from her today. Her opponent is Gary Oak of Pallet Town who, for the better part of the last few years has dedicated his life to following in his granfather's footsteps. Like his famous grandfather, Prof. Oak, Gary took up pokemon research. However, he has also competed in numerous tournaments and should definitely not be underestimated. With these two on the field, we should be more than guaranteed an exciting battle!"

The field split to reveal a grassy meadow. "And the first half of this battle wil be fought on a grass field!" Tom shouted as if everyone he couldn't contain his excitement, which he probably couldn't.

"This is a full six-on-six pokemon battle with no time limit." the ref announced as the computer randomly selected the first to release their pokemon. "Substitutions are allowed. The winner will be decided when either trainer has lost all six pokemon or forfeits." he finished as the red panel lit up. "Red will choose their pokemon first."

"I choose you, Scizor!" Gary called as he released the bug/steel-type.

"Go Camerupt!" Amelia said as she called the fire/ground-type.

"Camerupt vs. Scizor. Begin!"

"So, what exactly do you want me to do?" the figure asked.

"Simple." Drew replied handing a picture of a certain raven haired boy to the mysterious person. "I want you to make sure that the boy in that photo never sees my darling May ever again!"

"How would you like me to do that?" the person asked.

"I don't care how you do it, just do it!" Drew yelled.

"And the payment?" the person asked.

"As soon as the job is completed, you can have that pitiful yellow rat of his, along with any other pokemon he has." Drew smirked. "That should please your boss."

"Very well." the person said in a cold voice. "Consider it done."

"Don't worry May." Drew whispered in a dark voice as the figure disappeared. "Soon you and I will be together."

So Misty, Dawn and Morrison are apparently psychotic. Who knew?

And just look at the cute little Ash and May moment. I tell ya, that couple is meant to be.

Anyways, I hope you guys all enjoyed the chapter. And I hope you aren't too mad about the wait. But, I can promise the next one will not be as long.

Don't forget to R&R! Keep reading!

Thanks!