"Alder, huh..." the raven-haired trainer smirked, looking toward the large stadium.
"Alder? He beat Cynthia?" Max exclaimed, surprised.
"Max, they're both champions. Not like we could really order the two." Brock told the boy.
"Yeah, but...it's still awesome!" he pumped his fist in the air, smiling.
"But you lost." Iris pointed out, smirking. The boy lowered his head.
"So did you." he retorted.
"But I battled Shadow, we all know he's beyond strong." Iris defended, crossing her arms and turning away.
"I still say he should have lost." the brunette said calmly, frowning. "I mean, look at him! He's almost exactly like Paul!" she nearly shouted.
"Speaking of Paul, you won't believe this." everyone looked over, seeing the blunette approaching them. "I just learned a few things."
"How long are we hiding like this...?" the boy asked.
"Until Hilda decides to let it blow over." the second boy responded, peering around the corner.
"We both know her, Hilbert." the two sighed.
"Yeah, she never lets her targets get away without treatment...But, maybe this time there will be some kind of mercy rule..." Hilbert stated, praying for safety.
"There you are!" the boys' eyes widened, their heads snapping up. Surprised, they saw the victorious expression of the brunette, grinning down on them. "I told you, you can't hide from me!"
"Hilda, can't you let him off with a warning this time around?" the glasses-wearing boy asked. Hilda looked at him, her expression turning to surprise.
"Cheren? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised to see the boy.
"You didn't expect to not see me at this tournament, did you?" he asked, standing from behind the crates.
"Well...I guess I never thought of it..." Hilda scratched the back of her head, embarrassed. "Wait, where's Bianca?"
"Who knows, I could never catch up with her." he shrugged. "Anyway, what exactly did Hilbert do?" Hilda glared back at him.
"Indecency." she responded.
"Oh, come on! Shadow and Zo said that for fun!" he pleaded, jumping behind Cheren. She continued to glare at him.
"All right, I'm out." Cheren stepped aside, gesturing to the man. "I can't help you, sorry. Good luck." Hilbert's jaw dropped as he watched the boy walk away.
"Traitor!" Hilbert waved his fist, then gulped as he heard the familiar sound of cracking knuckles.
"So you're back already..." Zo sighed, watching the trainer move toward the tent. He sat down beside the tent.
"Zo, how would you like to be in the next battle?" she stared at him, surprised. "I feel like I've been too hard on you. Tell you what, I'll let you battle in every match from now on."
"Ash, that's awesome!" she jumped out of the tent, sitting on her legs in front of him. "You don't know how much that means! Thank you so much!"
"Don't mention it, I feel like I owe you that much." then, he smiled. Zo stared at his lips, then her mood lowered. "Wait..."
"Zo, wake up. Come on, don't be stubborn."
"Dammit all..." Zo muttered, opening her eyes as she yawned, seeing Ash looking down at her. "I was having the best, but most unlikely dream."
"Sure." Ash said, sitting down.
"I suppose you're not here to let me battle?" she asked, resting her head back down on her arms.
"No, what gave you that idea? There's no reason I'm really here, it's our campsite." he stated, feeling the mouse crawl onto his legs.
"Point taken...So, where's your girlfriend, Leaf?" she asked, smirking.
"She's not a girlfriend, it's two different facts. Friend, girl, two words." Ash told her, glaring. "Anyway, I don't really know. I haven't seen her since yesterday." he said calmly.
"You don't seem upset or anything." Zo said, eying him suspiciously.
"Why should I be? We're all free to do what and be where we want." he responded, closing his eyes.
"And that's why you're choosing to make enemies with your old friends." Zo retorted, giving a yawn.
"I'm not making enemies."
"Have you seen the that brown-haired girl looks at you? It's like you murdered her family, or robbed her."
"That's exaggerating, Zo. Besides, May was never the most open person."
"I'm sure she was before this tournament. On top of that, she's probably pissed for the whole 'Ash' thing at the center, don't you think?"
"Probably, but she needs reality."
"Like you don't need it..." she muttered, rolling her eyes as her lids closed.
"What's that mean?" he asked, looking at her but no answer. "Fine, be stubborn." he sighed, standing again and leaving the clearing. Zo opened one eye, watching him leave.
"May and Leaf...This is going to be great..."
Ash wandered the large lobby, looking through the crowds of people as they entered and exited the stores. He gave a sigh. "This is going to be a while..." he muttered, shaking his head as he continued searching.
"Leaf, I have to ask you something." May said, putting a shirt on the rack as she looked at the other brunette.
"I don't know how you got here." she responded.
"What? That's not it. I was wondering...Why do you hang around Shadow?" Leaf cringed, looking at the brunette.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Should she tell her?
"Well, he's a total jerk and and only seems to enjoy power over others and in battles. In other words, he's the worst kind of guy." Leaf sweat-dropped.
"You're not shy." she said, giving a nervous laugh.
"Of course not, it's the truth." May crossed her arms, looking adoringly at a nearby pink skirt. "Anyway, you didn't answer."
"Well..." Leaf trailed off, rubbing the fabric of a blue t-shirt. "...He's a good guy, you just have to be patient."
"That's sounds like a pokemon saying." May stated, rolling her eyes.
"That's my answer. He does seem like a jerk and all, at first, but talking to him and getting him to open up..." Leaf trailed off again, looking at the ground.
"That's another thing. How did you get him to open up?" Leaf cringed again, feeling nervous and on-the-spot. "Not to sound hypocritical, but I don't understand it. You met him and talked, like, twice and somehow made him open up, where we still can't. Minus Hilda, Hilbert or Zo, of course." May picked out a red shirt, rubbing it against her face, smiling.
"Well that's not something I can really answer, but I guess even Shadow has weaknesses." Leaf responded, smiling at her.
"We both have brown hair...We're both hot...We're both nice..." Leaf's face turned red, watching her think out loud.
"I wouldn't exactly say 'hot'..." Leaf muttered, giving nervous laughter.
"Come on, it's true. Look at us." May gestured to their bodies, only making Leaf more uncomfortable. "Anyway, I can't really think of a difference between me and you. We both seem physically the same."
"That's strange, must be some weird Shadow thing." Leaf quickly responded, wanting to get off the subject.
"Actually...Have you met Shadow before this? Maybe that's it." Leaf gave a quiet, unnoticeable sigh.
"No, I've never met him before. No one like him, actually." she answered, hoping she would dismiss the topic.
"Are you sure? It could have been an old fling you've forgotten about." Leaf's face heated up again, quickly moving out of the store. "Hey! What is it?" Leaf stopped. If she ran, May would know something's up. She turned around.
"Uh...Sorry. I think I'm done with clothes for a while." she told her, surprised as May moved her hand to her forehead.
"No fever...Are you feeling okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine, I'm just...tired." Leaf said, waving it off as she moved away. May followed.
"How I envy you..." Leaf looked at her, surprised. "You made friends with him so quickly...so easily..." May stared at the ground.
"Wait...You only want to be his friend? Then why do you act like you hate him, always fighting with him?" Leaf asked, confused. May sighed lightly.
"...I don't know myself, I only wonder. I guess...seeing him beat Tobias, four legendary pokemon, so easily...I don't want someone like that as an enemy." May stated, frowning. "It's confusing, but I was thinking during his battle...He is a jerk, but he was only mean to my friends during our first encounters. Now, he's friendly with Max, Dawn and everyone else. And..."
"And?" Leaf inquired, looking at the nervous brunette.
"...And...I can't help but feel he sees me differently." Leaf felt sympathetic. "...Everyone's so nice to him, admiring his pokemon's strength and strategy...Then there's me, cheering for Tobias to win." Leaf frowned, putting her hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I was on the other side of the crowd as you guys, I couldn't seem to move. May, it's not too late to make amends." she told her, giving a sympathetic smile.
"Yes, it is. I've been so mean to him, always fighting...He probably thinks I'm a naturally-angry jerk now." May's voice cracked. "...I just want to go back in time, change how we first met..."
"Finding Celebi or Dialga is hard to do, but that's not even necessary, May. Just find him, talk to him, I'm sure he will understand completely." Leaf told her, smiling. May looked over at her, frowning.
"It's too late for that..." she replied, giving a quiet sigh. "He's going to hate me forever..."
"No, he will not. May, I made friends with him in one simple conversation. You can do the same, if you put your heart to it." Leaf reassured her, smiling. May continued to look at her, surprised.
"...I can't...My heart will only tell me to fight..." May responded weakly, frowning as she felt her chest sink in.
"Funny thing, the heart."
The two brunettes turned around, surprised. Ash stood a few steps away, arms crossed wearing a genuine smile. "No matter how much you think or do, it always manages to stay together."
"What's that supposed to mean?" May asked, giving a slight glare.
"I'm saying, hearts never truly break." he stepped closer. "Breakups, fights, it survives it all." he continued smiling, stopping in front of them.
"Shadow, what are you doing here?" Leaf asked.
"Truth be told, I was looking for you." Leaf's cheeks heated up, looking away. Ash looked at May. "...Seems I found better than I hoped."
"What are you saying?" May asked defensively.
"No need to be defensive, I'm not in the mood for a fight today." May's glare softened. "Zo was asking for Leaf, but you know how lazy she is." Ash stated, giving a sigh.
"A...choo!" Zo cursed quietly, rubbing her nose. "How do you sneeze in your sleep, anyway...?"
"Why did Zo want me?" the brunette asked.
"Don't know." she gave a funny look. "I don't come bearing all answers."
"So you're a messenger, then?" Leaf crossed her arms, smiling. Ash frowned.
"No, I don't understand why others don't seem to like me being hospitable and social." he said.
"You make people feel awkward, that's why." Leaf giggled, moving her hands to her mouth.
"That's nice, I feel so blessed and trouble-free now." Ash said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. May looked back and forth between the two, feeling sad.
"Why does it seem so easy...?" she thought, frowning. "...There's something behind this, it has to be..."
"Why so quiet, May?" she blinked, looking at Ash in surprise. "You seem troubled, I would be a heartless and cold guy to ignore it, wouldn't you say?" he laughed lightly, surprising May further.
"..."
"Do I make you uncomfortable, then? Apparently, I have that effect." he glanced at Leaf, who began laughing again. "May, I know we haven't exactly had the best history..."
"Hey! Shadow, over here!" the trio looked over, recognizing the voice. Beyond surprised, all eyes widened as they saw a different-looking Dawn smiling as she moved toward them. She wore sky-blue shorts ending halfway down her thighs, showing off her slender legs. Her top had changed to a pink tank top with three buttons toward the top, all open to leave little to anyone's imagination. The girls stared in surprise, but Ash had now focused on the ground giving a few fake coughs, quickly wiping his upper lip and rubbing his hand on the side of his pants.
"Dawn?" May finally managed to get out. "What...What are you doing!"
"What?" she asked innocently, moving past them as she stopped in front of Ash. "Hi, Shadow! You were amazing against Tobias, that was the best battle I've ever seen!"
"Uh...yeah..." he responded, giving another cough. Leaf and May noticed this, giving simultaneous sighs. "So, Dawn...You, uh..."
"Look great? Thanks!" she smiled, hopping back and letting her chest freely bounce. Ash felt dizzy, while men around them tripped over benches, others, fountains, etc.
"Dawn, why are you dressed like that?" May asked, grabbing the girl's arm. "I can't let you be seen like this, we're going back to the room."
"No way!" Dawn took her arm back, looking at her. "I'm competing, and I plan on winning!" Dawn's happy expression turned serious as she grinned, her eyes giving off heat.
"Ah...Well, no more competition." May said, giving a sigh.
"No way! Look around, if this happens then I'll definitely win! I just have to find Paul and it'll be over!" Dawn smiled again, walking away.
"Wait, Paul?" May asked in surprise, looking back at her. Dawn looked back, nodding.
"I just have to talk to him, then I'll change back! No need to worry!" she waved, quickly dashing off. As she passed men, their noses oozed red liquid as they fell over.
"Paul...What is she thinking...?" May muttered, staring in the direction she disappeared.
"Lucky son of...What?" Ash stopped his sentence, noticing Leaf look at him.
"What were you saying?" she asked threateningly.
"Nothing, I was just saying...ah..." he put his hands behind his head, looking away as he tried to think of an excuse.
"I'll let you off now, but if you ever finish that sentence, I will know." Ash felt nervous, then sighed as her expression turned to a smile. "Anyway, I'm off to find her. I'll keep her in check, just in case." before May could complain, she dashed off after the blunette, leaving the two in awkward silence.
"Huh..." Ash muttered, shaking his head in amusement. May stood frozen. "...May?"
"Yeah?" she responded, looking at him. Ash noticed her look was different than the regular glare, but it felt...normal.
"Well...What were you talking to Leaf about?" he asked, mentally cursing himself.
"You already know, there's no reason to say it again." Ash smiled.
"...It never hurts, you know." he chuckled, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"...You're lying..." he looked at her, confused. "...You don't mean it, you're just drawing me in to make fun of me..."
"No, I'm only like that to Hilbert and Hilda." she looked at him. "No fights, no teasing, just a conversation. We haven't really talked enough for you to know that, I suppose." he stated, walking past her. May watched him, then he turned around and stopped. "Planning on standing still all day? Come on." he gestured for her to follow, then continued again. May felt her lips perk up, then hurried after him.
"Tell me something." he looked at her. "You act cold to new people you meet, is that some sort of privacy thing?" Ash thought for a few moments, then shrugged.
"I don't know, really, it's sort of instinct for me. I haven't been in real society for a while." Ash told her.
"Where have you been, then?" she looked at him, confused.
"Ah...Around." she stared for a few moments, then began giggling. Ash looked at her funny.
"That seems like a lie." Ash looked away, hoping she would dismiss it. "...But, I guess that's just you."
"I feel insulted." Ash said sarcastically, rolling his eyes as she began laughing again.
"No, you're just different. You're a cold and private guy who doesn't like friends." May told him, Ash sweat-dropped.
"Not sure that makes me feel better..." she laughed more, smiling.
"You know, Shadow...I've been thinking about what you said, if Ash came back..." he looked at her. "...I guess you were right. I would be mad and happy to see him, but after five years, he could have changed drastically or not at all." May explained, closing her eyes. Ash stared at her for a moment, then looked forward again as she opened her eyes, turning toward him with a smile. "...Thank you."
"No problem, glad to help. So, how does this change...us?" he asked uncomfortably, not wanting to sound desperate of creepy. She laughed quietly, still smiling.
"...Friends." Ash gave a nod, holding his hand out to her. She looked at it, shaking her head. Ash was surprised as she put her arms around him, pulling herself closer to him. He felt her move her chest against his, making him look away and think pure thoughts. She pulled back, smiling at him. "Put the past behind us and take life head-on, right?" she gave a wink, walking away happily. Ash watched her, surprised as she had quoted himself.
"How did she hear that...?" he shrugged his shoulders, moving in the opposite direction toward the exit. He thought of Leaf holding Dawn back, then shook his head before it went further. "These people are going to kill me, one way or another..." he muttered, shaking his head. Near the exit, on the platform above, a young man watched down on Ash as he supported himself with a large stick he had coincidentally found.
"I'll get you back, Ash...Now I know just how..." he began laughing, then stopped as he groaned, moving his hand to his badly-bruised cheek. "Ow, it hurts..."
END