Hi guys,

this might seem a little abrupt, but this is going to be the final chapter of Uprising.

I was thinking about writing a chapter on Drew, but after this chapter I didn't feel he really needed it. In the future I might write a sequel for this, if anyone is interested.

Anyway, thanks to anyone who gave this a read! Onto the next story!

She wasn't sure she'd be enough to stop them all. She'd acted confident for Dawn and the others, but her chances were slim. There had to be over a hundred guards waiting for them on the other side of the door, all with guns. Paul would do his best to wipe out as many as he could, and send the others running, but his powers were new and untrained. There was even a chance he might knock out one of their own, and everyone was valuable. She wished she had Ash.

"Are you ready?" It was Drew, who had positioned himself by the door. Paul would take the front, to wipe out as many he could to stop their guns firing before May struck. Drew and Serena flanked the door, ready to stop anyone that got past. May hoped that eventually they would surrender. If this worked. The silence that followed was tense as everyone put on a brave face for one another. Little did they know that if they let down their masks, they'd all fall apart. She sucked in a breath. She wasn't ready, but she had to be.

"I guess so." She smiled weakly at Drew, who didn't bother trying to return it. Instead, he stepped further back, and May began to gather her powers. She felt freer than she ever had with her powers back. Although it hadn't been that long, she felt as though she had been beginning to forget how it felt. It was like a piece of her had fallen out, and it had just been put back into place.

Her chest didn't hurt this time when she pulled her fire power forward. But, like a slight spark underneath, she felt something else too. She hoped her face wouldn't give it away. She smiled and tucked the little secret into the back of her mind and pushed.

The fireball easily blew the door away. Everything turned into a blur of smoke and colour as Paul roared and threw his power out blindly ahead of him. Some guards had collapsed in a heap and others had begun to flee, but his powers weren't strong enough to reach the back wave in the long corridor. Some began to flee in panic when the manipulated guards ran past them, but May barely knocked Paul to the side before the gunshots began. They landed heavily on the ground, but she had no time to check if he was okay.

"May!" Drew called, firing out all the razor leaves he could. His powers had never properly matured, and while Serena was strong, they couldn't do much without her. So, she stood. Her powers were bubbling close to the surface; she could feel the fire at her core. It only took a second to power up the flamethrower. With a push of her hands, she sent it down the corridor, taking at least a dozen guards with it. The panic and smoke temporarily halted the gunfire. She seized her opportunity, launching herself further forward and firing smaller, more precise fireballs and any movement she could see. Over the shouting of her guards, she couldn't hear if her friends were behind her. As she pressed into the corridor, her mind almost shut off, and she no longer feared the guns in the hands of the remaining guards. Many of them had started running.

She realised her friends had stopped attacking because they were afraid they'd hit her. Only Dawn would likely be precise enough, but May was willing to bet that she considered her too valuable to even try. May was alone. Her friends would follow up behind her, but in the commotion a few seconds felt like a lifetime. She wasted no time, quickly firing up another flamethrower. She began to throw it forward.

A sharp pain shot through her arm. She pulled it back quickly, sending the flamethrower jutting to the side, causing a chorus of screams. The pain was so blinding her stomach turned, sending her to her knees. Dawn rushed up behind her as Serena continued firing moonbeams ahead of them, sending the remaining guards scattering. May fought to keep her hand steady, but the pain had caused her breathing to falter and her mind was fogged. Dawn said something beside her, and when she pulled her hand away, it was slick with blood. The sight almost made her retch.

"Shit!" Paul cursed, catching up. May barely noticed how his hand rested on her shoulder, the touch new and foreign. She couldn't move. She could hardly breathe.

"Don't panic, May." Drew. "It's not that bad, it just skimmed your arm so there's no bullet lodged in there." He feebly tried to make her feel better. Bullet or no bullet, her arm was bleeding profusely, making her head spin. He began ripping the bottom of his shirt and tied it around her arm. The contact made her wince, but it was undoubtedly better.

"We need to get you out of here." Dawn stood. "The entrance is on the other side of the building where my cell was. It's only a five-minute walk, do you think you can make it?"

It took May a moment to realise Dawn was speaking to her. She blinked, shaking her head. "No. I'm not leaving without Ash."

"We'll find him and get him out, we promise," Drew argued gently. May took a deep breath, calming herself and fighting the pain in her arm.

"No." She began to stand and failed to hide the wobble in her legs. "He might need me. I have to be here. I have to know he's safe."

They looked amongst themselves, silently debating whether they'd let her stay. As if they had a choice. Eventually, Dawn sighed in defeat. "Okay. We'll have to hurry."

May nodded and clutched the wound on her arm as they began to throw open the doors, or force open the locked ones. Drew's green shirt had turned crimson with her blood, but she wouldn't leave until she found him. She'd silently promised him that.

It didn't take them long to locate him. There were only a few interrogation rooms littered along the corridor, and he was in one of the first ones. The guards had cuffed him to the table, and the guard that was interrogating him had clearly ran off with the others when the alarm was sounded. May's knees wobbled at the sight of him, his face bloodied and bruised slightly and his limp stature. She didn't care if it hurt when she threw her arms around her neck and cried silently onto his neck. He reached up with the hand that wasn't cuffed and placed it on the back of her neck, kissing the top of her head gently.

"How?" Was all he said.

Dawn pointed to Paul. "I think he deserves most of the credit. And May."

The rest of the group gave May a moment to cry on Ash's shoulder before Paul stepped forward to look for the key that would set him free. He gently eased May up. She was always the strong one, but when it came to Ash she really was weak. She didn't care who saw anymore. She felt, for the first time since she'd changed her type, connected to him again. The way she'd felt before it all went wrong. She wondered if he felt the same.

When he stood, he took her face in his hands, wiping her tears away. She recognised the look in his eyes. It was the way he'd looked at her every time they'd snuck into each other's rooms, every time they'd snuck around a corner to sneak a kiss. He looked at her for a long moment as though he would kiss her, but then remembered who was watching. Only Dawn knew they'd been seeing each other before all of this. While the others knew why'd she'd changed her type, they didn't know how intimate they'd been. She would have to explain later.

It suddenly occurred to her that she'd never had the chance to tell Ash she loved him too, even when he'd told her. She added that to her list of things to do once they escaped.

Paul explained quietly to Ash while they headed back towards the entrance. May followed behind, wishing he would hold her hand to help distract her from the pain. They faced a new problem now- once they got outside they'd have no idea where they were. They could be in any part of Hoenn, or perhaps another region entirely.

Luckily, Dawn remembered every turn she and Paul had taken on the way to her. At the main entrance, the doors were locked, but the key was easily distinguishable amongst the many Paul stole from the guards. Desperate to leave, May bounced on her heels as he unlocked the door, but once he and Dawn pushed it open May lifted a hand to cover her eyes. It was the middle of the day, and the sun was almost unbearable, even if she had only been locked in the dark box for a short time. There were long concrete steps leading up from the bunker they'd been staying in, but it was hard to tell what was above that.

Dawn and Paul raced ahead, gripping one another's hands for comfort. It was all happening too fast for any of them to say a word but May reached for his hand still. The moment they brushed together, Ash took hold of it, lacing his fingers between hers. Though she couldn't hold her injured arm, she felt as though the pain was slightly alleviated, just from his touch.

The stairs led to a field that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. The only noticeable features were the bunker and the small, temporary building that had been set up beside it. In the distance, May spotted a single Miltank farm.

She'd barely been looking around for a minute when she felt Ash's hand rip away from hers. She turned and reached for where he'd been, but Dawn was crying out, and Paul was reaching for Ash, in the grip of Milotic.

Milotic had wrapped its tail roughly around Ash. He was weak and limp in its grip as it towered over him. May immediately drew her power together, flames gathering in her palms. Despite his situation, she saw Ash's eyes light up like he finally understood. She was herself again.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Cynthia strode over from the temporary building as though she were walking into a group of friends. She gestured to Milotic, who had built up a Dragon Pulse in its mouth and was directing it towards Ash. At any moment it could fire, and May knew the direct impact would kill him. She heard Giovanni cackle from beside Cynthia and bristled.

"You are one tough puzzle, May." Giovanni addressed her, but she kept her eyes on Ash. She hardly dared to blink. If that Dragon Pulse fired, she had to try anything. Perhaps if her reaction was fast enough…

"But, you had to have a weakness, like everyone else," Giovanni still spoke to her, and seemed to get closer. May barely heard him; her mind was racing. She had to think of a way to get Ash out of his situation. "If any of you move, Milotic will destroy him."

An idea came to her mind. It was risky, and could end with Ash being struck with the Dragon Pulse, but what other choice did she have? She'd have to act instantly and be confident in her powers. She'd have to act quicker than Cynthia and Giovanni. She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, calming her racing heart.

She turned to face Giovanni, memorising his position exactly, her eyes flicking over him. He gave her a sickly grin, and she swallowed hard, closing her eyes. Before they could react, she raised her hands up quickly, commanding a wall of fire to circle Giovanni. Milotic flinched, but Cynthia cried out for it to wait. May was completely banking on the fact that Cynthia must care for Giovanni somewhat. The ring of fire gave him enough space to move his arms, but the heat would be unbearable.

"Let him go," May hissed at Cynthia. They could barely hear Giovanni shouting over the crackling of her flames. Cynthia grimaced at her, then at the circle of fire. Snarling, May moved her hands slightly, pushing the fire closer to Giovanni. From the other side, he started begging.

Reluctantly, Cynthia flicked her hand at Milotic. The Pokemon dropped Ash, who fell limp to the ground, trying to rise on his knees. May kept holding the wall of fire in place. Briefly, she glanced at Drew, who stood closest to Cynthia. She'd almost forgotten the pain in her arm, but it still throbbed.

"Remove that now," Cynthia demanded, pointing at Giovanni's cage.

"Go!" May shouted suddenly, flinging herself towards Drew. He threw himself at Cynthia, knocking her to the ground and holding her down. Her bag fell open, the Pokeballs inside scattering out onto the grass. May reached for the one she knew was hers, but as she grabbed for it, it flew from her. She looked up. Giovanni scattered the balls, his eyes glowing a hue of pink.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Serena jump up and catch one. Before Giovanni could react, she threw it, releasing a Rapidash that must have belonged to someone inside. It reared up. Cynthia was crawling up, but Dawn had charged a thunderbolt and positioned it at her. She froze on the spot.

"Take him!" May called to Serena, gesturing to Ash and the Rapidash. Serena nodded, reaching for Ash as May turned away. Giovanni pressed something on his watch and grinned. May turned to call to Dawn, but she was too late. Giovanni threw up his arms, producing his own wave of fire that swirled towards her. Dawn turned too late, dropping the thunderbolt, and May fell to her knees, crying out.

Paul was roaring, walking quickly towards Giovanni, throwing out dark pulses quicker and quicker as Giovanni struggled to dodge them, too pverwhelmed to fight back. One hit the mark, sending him crashing to the floor, but Paul didn't stop. He raised a hand, cursing as he fired up a larger dark pulse than she'd ever seen any Pokemon use, and brought it down upon him. May closed her eyes before the impact, tears streaming freely down her cheeks.

When she opened her eyes again, Paul was kneeling over Dawn, blocking her from May's view. Ash was pushing away Serena, who hadn't managed to force him to ride Rapidash. May doubled over on the grass, almost throwing up. Serena was racing towards Dawn, screaming her name, but Dawn didn't respond. May struggled to stand, forcing herself forward, but stars were floating in her vision, and black was gathering around the corners.

Dawn was lifeless on the grass. When May threw herself down on her knees beside her friend, she grabbed her wrist, feeling for a pulse, but felt nothing. Her stomach sank completely. She wasn't even sure if she was still breathing. This couldn't be real. Forgetting about Cynthia, May began to wail, shaking Dawn's arm frantically.

"Dawn! Wake up!"

Nothing. The sobs were racking her body. She felt a pair of strong arms lift her and she gave in, sobbing into Ash's chest and he pulled her too him and away from Dawn. He placed his hand on the back of her head, stroking her hair.

"Get away!" Paul was shouting angrily, swatting away Drew, who hadn't said a word yet.

Drew snarled at Paul aggressively. "Get out of the way, let me try something."

At the assertion in his voice, Paul backed off a little. Drew leaned beside Dawn gently, then placed his hands on her stomach. Paul opened his mouth to shout again, but Drew's hands began to emit an emerald glow that spread throughout Dawn. May peeled away from Ash, taking a step towards them. The energy continued to flow through Dawn, reaching every point in her body. He continued with his eyes closed for a few seconds that seemed to last a lifetime. May held her breath as he pulled his hands away gently and waited.

Dawn coughed suddenly.

May sobbed again with relief. Before Dawn's eyes had fully fluttered open, Paul had knelt, pulling her limp body into his chest tightly. That was it. That was Drew's powers. He looked as shocked at himself as everyone else. May threw her arms around his neck.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she said onto him. She heard him chuckle sheepishly as he gently rubbed her back. When she pulled away, Paul had released Dawn, who rubbed her eyes.

"What happened?"

"Well," Drew rubbed the back of his head. "I think Giovanni killed you."

Dawn blinked quickly. "What?"

Serena pointed to Drew. "Drew healed you."

Dawn looked to Drew. He nodded. She rose to her feet slowly, holding onto Paul. "Thank you so much, Drew. I owe you my life."

Although Drew's powers may not have proved helpful in the fighting, May was proud of her best friend. She'd known his powers must be different somehow when the training hadn't worked, but she never expected this. She couldn't have been more thankful. Dawn was alive. The heartbreak she'd felt when she'd felt for her pulse was all-consuming, and May knew she would never fully recover.

May glanced around suddenly. Cynthia was gone, but Giovanni's lifeless body was still where Paul had left it. "I guess we need to sort out this mess."

It had taken them over an hour to release everybody. Luckily, one girl recognised where they were, and left to find help. Another hour later, police started to arrive in too many cars for May to count. She'd spent the whole time comforting people or helping people and hadn't spent a single second with Ash since Drew had healed Dawn.

Her friends were escorted back to May's home, which was ruined slightly from the battles. Once they arrived and May's arm had been properly bandaged by a guard, her mother rushed to her, holding her tight and asking so many questions that May's head began to spin. May only had one.

"Is it over now?" She asked, pulling away from her mom. Her mom nodded, wiping away her tears. May found herself crying too. She'd been waiting her whole life for this. Once everything was rebuilt, everything would be perfect. Well, besides one thing.

"Mom."

"Yes, May?" Her mom still held her shoulders. May swallowed hard.

"I don't want to marry Gary. I don't want to be stuck here from the moment I turn eighteen. I want the chance to find someone for myself. I want to be able to travel like everyone else. It's the only thing I want."

Her mom sighed. May stole a glance at Ash and her friends, who were laughing for the first time in days. "Alright."

May's heart soared as she looked back at her mom. "Really?"

"Of course. It'll take some time to convince your father, but you can go. It should be safe for you now, and you've proved you can look after yourself. I trust you to make good decisions."

May was crying again. She looked to Ash. "I will."

Her mom left her with her friends in the courtyard, but as soon as she approached, her friends backed off, saying they would catch her and Ash inside. She smiled sheepishly at him, and he gestured for her to sit on the wall. Despite the fighting, all the rosebushes remained intact and bloomed around them. For once, May felt at peace. She threw her head back and loosed a breath.

"Honestly, after everything, I don't even know where to start. I don't know what to say," May sighed. Ash reached out for her face and held it in his hands, sending her heart into a pounding mess.

"Then don't say anything," he muttered, pulling her towards him. His kiss was soft but desperate. She melted into him, running one hand up the back of his messy hair. She never wanted him to let go, but had something to say, so she pulled away.

"Ash, I love you." She smiled up at him. "I never got the chance to say that to you."

"I love you, May." He smiled back, and she kissed him again, savouring every moment. She felt her life click into place. "Be my girlfriend. Travel with me." He held both her hands and squeezed them.

She nodded, unable to contain her grin. He grinned a goofy grin too, and she pulled him into a tight hug. "We'll start with Kanto."

Ash nodded. "And travel the whole world together eventually."

May cried silently and happily onto his shoulder.

"You better call me as soon as you get there."

Dawn was clutching a sun hat to her head and holding a suitcase in the other. May had let her keep the clothes she liked best, and Dawn had packed them for her journey. She'd decided to travel home to see her mom, and Paul would go with her. Paul had his arm draped lazily around her shoulder, and even grinned at May.

They'd already hugged a million times since this morning, but Dawn hugged her again, letting her case drop and trusting Paul to catch it. May held onto her friend for as long as she could.

"Me too." Drew grinned, his hands stuck in his pockets. Drew was going home too, then planned to travel Hoenn and hopefully find a travelling partner. May gave him a wink.

"Don't worry, I won't let you forget about me."

Serena jumped into her arms without giving her any warning. She looked so beautiful in the pink dress she'd picked out, May was almost jealous. She'd fit right in in fashionable Kalos, where she was planning on meeting with an old friend from the arena that she knew would be there too. She'd told May that she knew Clemont would be there and would find him somewhere. May prayed that she did.

Once Serena pulled away, rubbing her eyes to hide the tears, her friends began to depart. May waved them away, feeling part of her heart break off and go with each of them. It would be the first time she was ever without them. She reached out her hand and took Ash's. He gave her a reassuring squeeze. As long as he was there, she knew she'd be just fine.

As soon as she stepped one foot off the ferry, she knew she'd made the right decision- even if the blinding sun made the heat almost unbearable. All around, people were hurrying about. Some were saying farewell to friends that were catching ferries, but others were performing, singing and dancing about the street. A number of food stalls and market stalls lined the street which was flooding with incredible smells. May sucked in a deep breath as Ash appeared beside her.

"Ready?"

"Are you kidding?" May grabbed his hand, dragging him into the fray. "I've been ready for this since we met."

As she and Ash rushed into the busy street together, hand in hand, she knew they'd never be apart again.

Again, thank you so much for reading!