December 25th (Snowpoint City, Sinnoh)

(May's POV)

I woke up the next morning with eagerness and excitement. I looked at the clock that was next to my bed and saw that it was 8:00 AM. I looked over and saw that Dawn and Misty were still sleeping on their bunk beds. I quietly stood up and turned to look up and saw that Leaf was the same. I smiled and decided to let them sleep in. I quickly changed into dark blue skinny jeans, a sheer red tanktop blouse with a white tanktop underneath, black winter boots, and put my hair was in two low pig tails before sticking my santa hat on curtesy of Dawn in packing me emergency clothes.

I grabbed my red winter coat and quietly snuck out of the room and down the hall for the kitchen. I wanted to make my special Christmas Poffins for my pokemon so I looked to see if they had what I was looking for in the kitchen. They had everything except the two ingredients that make the Poffins special, Sugar Plum Berries, and yes, they do exist, and Peppermint Leaves.

I grabbed a basket that was in the kitchen and left by the back door. If my hunch is right, both ingredients grow at this altitude so they should be here. As I wandered through the outdoors, I took in and admired the scenery. There was a mountain slope behind the chalet and everything was covered in a winter blanket, curtesy of the snowfall last night.

As I was wandering, I heard a small cry nearby that sounded like a pokemon. What was that?

I walked toward the sound, but then discovered a grove of Sugar Plum and Peppermint trees. The cry I heard was soon forgotten and I started collecting the plums and leaves. After I decided I had enough, I walked back to the chalet to find the kitchen still dark and took off my coat. Guess everyone sleeps in late on Christmas.

Then I started making the Peppermint and Sugarplum Poffins for all the pokemon just in case if anyone else wanted some. I felt a little guilty as I was making the Poffins. I hadn't seen my pokemon since I was kidnapped, they probably still thought I was in the hospital. Around 9:30, I was finished completely and the kitchen smelled delightful. I then used my aura abilities to figure out where the pokemon were, grabbed a few Poffins in my hand, and decided to see if the pokemon were awake first before I brought them all the Poffins.

I followed their aura and came to a wooden door. I stepped inside to see all the pokemon sleeping everywhere whether in huge groups or in front of the warm fireplace. As I was about to leave, I saw that Glaceon moved a little from being next to Leafeon and looked around sleepily before she saw me and her eyes widened.

"Glace!" she yelled happily with tears as she bolted forward and ran into my hug as I knelt down.

"It's alright Glaceon, you don't need to cry, I'm fine," I said cheerfully as I saw all the other pokemon start to stir from their sleep.

Soon I was ambushed in a huge group hug by all my pokemon, "Merry Christmas," I said cheerfully as I handed each of my pokemon a poffin.

"Ruh?" Lucario asked. (When did you get back, what happened?)

"Well, it's quite a bit of story so why don't I bring back Poffins for everyone and then explain," I said as I stood up. "Espeon, Umbreon, and Beautifly, wanna help me out by using Psychic?"

They nodded and chirped their name as they followed me to the kitchen. Soon it became an assembly line of me putting Poffins in bowls along with their pokemon food and then having the bowls float back to the room by use of Psychic. After everyone was given their food, I went back to the room and sat by the fireplace and explained what happened leaving out the bit of what Arceus said about me having other powers. I wasn't ready to explain that to anyone and I still didn't really believe it myself.

"Blaze blaziken blaze?" Blaziken asked. (I don't understand why you changed your image. You're tough enough to deal with your problems head on.)

I sighed with a small smile, "It's hard to explain Blaziken, being captured and tortured scared me to death. Normally, I would deal with my problem head on, but that whole experience scared me. I thought my life was over so to protect myself, I decided to hide and create an image where I can be safe from everything," I explained sadly. "At least until I feel comfortable knowing that I'm safe."

"Blaze blaze," he said angrily. (You can still take your problems head on, you always do.)

"Oh Blaziken, we can only take so much. I can only take so much. For the past two weeks, I've been hammered so hard emotionally that I wanted to give up and quit. I was sick of people picking on me, spreading rumors, telling me that I can do it all, that I'm perfect, that I can do anything, but I can't, I'm only human and I can only take so much," I said bitterly as tears began to build up.

I quickly wiped my eyes and forced a smile as I stood up, "Merry Christmas you guys, I hope you enjoyed the Christmas Poffins," I said trying not to cry as I walked to the door.

"Glace?" Glaceon asked. (Are you okay?)

"I'm fine Glaceon, I just need to think for a bit," I said before I opened the door and stepped into the hall.

I thought I heard footsteps but pushed the thought aside as I made my way to a huge sitting room with a grand piano. I sat at the bench after closing the door to prevent myself from waking anyone up and began to play letting all my emotions as I sang.

May: I can hold my breath

I can bite my tongue

I can stay awake for days

If that's what you want

Be your number one

I can fake a smile

I can force a laugh

I can dance and play the part

If that's what you ask

Give you all I am

I can do it

I can do it

I can do it

Tears began to fall down my face as I began to sing the refrain.

But I'm only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I'm only human

And I crash and I break down

Your words in my head, knives in my heart

You build me up and then I fall apart

'Cause I'm only human

I can turn it on

Be a good machine

I can hold the weight of worlds

If that's what you need

Be your everything

I can do it

I can do it

I'll get through it

But I'm only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I'm only human

And I crash and I break down

Your words in my head, knives in my heart

You build me up and then I fall apart

'Cause I'm only human

I'm only human

I'm only human

Just a little human

The last part almost came out as a scream as I sang it for a while and the bridge almost came as a whisper.

I can take so much

'Til I've had enough

Then my energy bounced back and I sang the refrain with all that I had.

'Cause I'm only human

And I bleed when I fall down

I'm only human

And I crash and I break down

Your words in my head, knives in my heart

You build me up and then I fall apart

'Cause I'm only human

I played the last chords and let my hands rest there before they fell to my sides as my head was down with tears running down my face like no tomorrow. As I sat there, I felt the presence of seven auras behind me causing me smile slightly.

I wiped away the tears and put down the cover on the keyboard before I turned around on the bench to see the girls with tears and the guys looking like they were trying to hold back tears.

"Merry Christmas you guys," I said with a small smile as I stood up.

Drew walked up to me and gave me a much needed hug which I gladly accepted.

"Thanks Drew," I whispered with a gentle smile as I kissed his cheek as we broke apart causing him to smile in relief knowing that I was okay.

"That was such a powerful song May," Dawn said as she wiped away her tears.

"I'll say, it almost made the guys cry," Leaf said.

"Give the guys a break Leaf, it's an emotional song," I pointed out.

"I'm gonna take a whack and say that's the song that you were working on before the dance," Misty guessed.

I nodded while sighing, "Brandi's comment was the thing that hurt me the most and it caused me to write the song. I was tired of being called perfect, that I could do anything, that there isn't anything I can't handle, but I can't handle everything especially a few weeks ago, I'm human, or so I think I am," I added quietly though no one heard me.

"We know that May. Heck, the bunch of us sure aren't perfect cause we all have our issues," Leaf said with emphasis. "But you're an amazing person May, I wouldn't let those comments bother you. Besides, you've got a bunch of awesome friends who'll help ya solve your problems."

"Someone's ego's been inflated," Gary teased.

Leaf slapped him on the arm, "Oh shut up, I'm in a good mood. It's Christmas for pete's sake," Leaf retorted.

"Who's Pete?" Ash asked confused causing everyone to sweat-drop while I smiled in amusement.

"It's a figure of speech Ash," I explained with a smile.

"I swear Ashy-boy; you have to be sometimes dumber than a Slowpoke," Gary complained.

"I'm not that stupid, Gary," Ash retorted.

"You're smart Ash, but you lack some common sense," Misty summed up for him.

"Mist, you're supposed to back me up," Ash whined.

"I just did with honesty," she said as she kissed his cheek.

I just watched my friend's antics and smiled, I'm really blessed by the gift of my friends.

Suddenly, Drew had a scared look on his face causing me to look concerned, "Dude, what's wrong?" Gary asked.

"Did we ever clean up from that marshmallow fight we had last night after everyone went to bed?" Drew asked in a panic.

Soon the other guys had looks of panic, more or less everyone but Paul and they quickly ran out of the room.

The girls sighed while I was confused, "Care to fill me in?" I asked.

"Every year, we come here to celebrate the winter holidays and ever since eight years ago when the guys got those marshmallow shooting guns, they always have a shooting war on Christmas Eve after everyone goes to bed," Misty explained.

"Guess they forgot to clean up the marshmallows," Leaf said. "They were right to scram. One year they forgot and got the heck of a punishment from Mrs. Hayden, boy was she mad."

"Huh, you would think the guys would be too old to do something like that, especially Paul," I said surprised.

"We never understood that either," Dawn agreed. "Come on, let's feed the pokemon."

"Actually, I already did," I said as we left the room.

"You fed everyone by yourself?" Leaf asked amazed.

I nodded, "I made my special Christmas Poffins," I said as we walked in to see that the pokemon finished eating. "And it looks like everyone enjoyed them."

"I'll say," Misty commented. "I don't see a spare Poffin in sight."

As the girls wished their pokemon a "Merry Christmas", Blaziken walked up looking somber, "Blaziken," he said remorsefully. (I'm sorry)

I gave him a hug, "I forgive you Blaziken, don't be so hard on yourself. I understand where you're coming from. You're so used to me dealing with everything head on and coming out on top. Please understand though that I can only do that so much and sometimes I can't come out on top, but that's why everyone makes friends in people and in pokemon. They help you out no matter what along with giving you the strength to make it through and keep holding on," I said with a smile.

"You got that right May," Dawn said cheerfully as I was crushed in a hug by all the girls.

"Speaking of that, Kirlia can you grab my song journal if it's not too much of a problem?" I asked.

She smiled before she popped in and out with my lyric journal and my acoustic guitar.

"You didn't need to bring my guitar," I said surprised as I wrote down the lyric that was in my head.

"Kirlia kirlia?" she asked cheerfully. (Please play a song.)

"I don't know….," I said hesitantly as the guys walked in from cleaning up.

"Did you guys finish cleaning up the marshmallows?" Leaf asked.

"Yea, thankfully there weren't a lot," Gary said gratefully.

"Anyways, what'd Kirlia ask May?" Dawn asked.

"She wants me to play a song and I said I don't know," I explained.

"Come on May, since when do you turn down singing. Besides, we know you well enough now to know that your face screams that you want to sing," Dawn scolded.

"Alright, fine," I said knowing that it was pointless to argue before smiling. "I think I've got the perfect song."

I then started to strum before I began to sing causing most of the pokemon to move their heads to the sway of the music.

May: Sometimes you think you'll be fine by yourself

Cause a dream is a wish that you make all alone

It's easy to feel like you don't need help

But it's harder to walk on your own

Then Dawn took my lyric book and sang the next part with me

May and Dawn: You'll change inside

When you realize

Misty and Leaf leaned over Dawn and joined in as well.

Everyone: The world comes to life

And everything's bright

From beginning to end

When you have a friend

By your side

That helps you to find

The beauty you are

When you open your heart

And believe in

May: The gift of a friend

The gift of a friend

Misty: Someone who knows when you're lost and you're scared

Leaf: There through the highs and the lows

Dawn: Someone you can count on, someone who cares

Misty, Leaf, and Dawn: Beside you wherever you go

May: You'll change inside

When you realize

Everyone: The world comes to life

And everything's bright

From beginning to end

When you have a friend

By your side

That helps you to find

The beauty you are

When you open your heart

And believe in

May: The gift of a friend

When your hope crashes down

May and Dawn: Shattering to the ground

You, you feel all alone

Misty and Leaf: When you don't know which way to go

There's no signs leading you home

May: You're not alone

The world comes to life

And everything's bright

From beginning to end

When you have a friend

By your side

Everyone: That helps you to find

The beauty you are

When you open your heart

And believe in

When you believe in

You can believe in

May: The gift of a friend

Oooooo

I strummed the last chord and got tackled into a group hug.

"You never cease to amaze us May. You keep coming up with such good songs and your lyrics apply always speak the truth," Dawn said happily.

Everyone else nodded in agreement, "I'm glad you like it. I actually wrote this song a little while ago due to discovering that I was blessed to become friends with you guys so I consider your friendship as the best gift to me," I explained cheerfully.

"Aww, we're glad to become friends with you to. You sure have made our lives interesting to say the least," Misty said.

"I'll say, missions, school, you bring so much excitement and craziness," Leaf commented.

"Merry Christmas," Maylene said as she walked into the room.

"Merry Christmas," we replied.

"May, do want to spar off for a little bit? I've been wanting to get some practice in," Maylene said.

"Sure, I feel like I've been lazy for the past two weeks," I said annoyed.

"May, you were sick and then kidnapped," Drew said surprised. "How is that being lazy?!"

"I've could have done meditating or something than just sitting around. Speaking of practice, shouldn't you guys be doing that as well since Lance wants you to be more prepared?" I asked curiously.

"Ugh, why did you have to bring that up," Dawn complained.

"As the saying goes Dawn, no pain, no gain," I said knowingly before I became confused. "Is there a place where we can spar off?"

"Yea, there's a huge workout area in the basement," Maylene said.

"Alrighty then," I said as we left to change into workout clothes.

We came back down a few minutes later wearing sweatpants and t-shirts while Maylene was wearing her usual gym leader outfit.

"Blaziken, Lucario, ready to spar off?" I asked as I walked into the room where all the pokemon were.

They nodded and walked out the door after me. Soon I followed everyone as we went down some stairs into a huge open area with a bunch of equipment, even some gymnastic equipment which was surprising.

"Why do you have gymnastic equipment down here?" Max asked since he and Lizzy decided to tag along and watch.

"I did gymnastics for two years before I quit because I lost interest," Lizzy explained. "Hey May, didn't you say that you did gymnastics?"

"I did, but that was a long time ago," I said sadly as I remembered the fun times I had when I was younger.

"Can you show me some moves?" Lizzy asked.

"I'm sorry Lizzy, but no," I said quickly before I went to mat where Maylene was waiting leaving everyone else confused with my answer.

"May, you ready?" Maylene asked.

"Yup," I said determined with a smile before we bowed and started attacking with multiple punches and kicks.

"You've gotten better May," Maylene complimented as she dodged a sweep kick.

"I don't see how, I haven't trained in two weeks," I said tiredly as I blocked her punch and flipped her over.

"You can stop now May, I admit defeat," Maylene said tiredly.

I scoffed as I helped her up, "Since when do you admit defeat," I teased.

Maylene looked at me surprised, "Haven't you paid attention to the time? We've been sparring off for thirty minutes straight!"

"Huh, guess time flies when you're having fun," I said tiredly before turning to Lucario and Blaziken. "You ready to practice?"

"Ruh," he said sternly. (You should rest first.)

I nodded in agreement, "Fine, I'll meditate for a few minutes then we'll spar off."

He nodded as he and Blaziken came to the mat to meditate with me.

After a while, we got up and started to spar off and then Blaziken left so that Lucario and I could work on using our aura in fighting as well.

While I was busy sparring off with Lucario and Blaziken, the gang was split into pairs and were practicing some basic martial arts as well. Misty did some other exercises since she was leveled higher above the others, which in all honesty didn't come as a surprise to me.

"Ruh," Lucario said as we bowed ending our match. (You need to practice more with your aura.)

I sighed tiredly, "I know, I have to keep practicing control and my aim. I'm just happy knowing I can make it appear."

"May, why did say no to Lizzy when she asked you to demonstrate some moves from when you did gymnastics?" Max asked curiously as I walked off the mat.

I sighed, I was hoping that they would appreciate my "no" and be done with it. Leave it to Max to ask and pester me, "I have my reasons," I said tiredly as I took a gulp of water from the water bottle that I brought with me.

Max frowned, "Care to explain, you never say no to anything when it comes to something like this."

"Max, I said no. You're just gonna have to accept that, now drop it," I said annoyed as everyone began to stare at us.

"May, it's been two years. Buck up, you can do it as well as you did in the past, what are you afraid of?" he said angrily.

"You know what I'm afraid of Max, can't you accept my reasons?" I asked angrily.

"No because I see that look on your face, you miss it more than anything. Get over what happened and move on," he retorted.

"I can't, now I said NO so just drop it!" I snapped angrily before I stormed off and went to take a shower to cool down.


(Drew's POV)

Paul and I just finished practicing when I saw that May and Max were having a heated discussion, soon it broke out into an argument causing all of us to look at the arguing duo in confusion and concern. May then stormed out of the room while Max looked ticked.

"What was that about?" Lizzy asked concerned as we walked over to Max.

He sighed in disappointment, "It's something May hasn't come to terms with in a while."

"You said that she had a look when she came down here, what were you talking about?" I asked.

"May had a look of regret, sadness, and longing. She loved gymnastics growing up as much as Misty loves swimming, but she stopped two years ago and hasn't done anything with it since," Max said sadly.

"Why did she stop?" Dawn asked.

Max sighed, "It's not my place to tell. When she comes to terms and feels ready, she'll tell you."


(May's POV)

As I finished my shower and changed into my earlier outfit while my mind kept playing back to what happened two years ago.

"I have to try. I can do it, I have to win."

"Keep the balance, now jump and twist…..AAAHHHH!"

"Someone call a paramedic!"

I snapped out of the thought when I saw that I had a call coming in from my poketch causing me to smile.

"Merry Christmas Annie," I said as I accepted the call but turned off the video so Annie couldn't see me as I saw a mini Nurse Joy of six years old appear.

"Merry Christmas cousin May-may, why can't I see you?" she asked confused.

"My poketch is having a few issues with the video, but I can see and hear you fine," I said.

I was only lying because of my appearance and she was too young to understand what was going on, "How is Christmas going at Aunt Joy's house?"

"Good, but I wish you were here," she said with a pout as I chuckled and made my way downstairs to the couch by the Christmas tree.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there this year, but Max and I were invited to spend Christmas with my friends," I said gently.

"I still wish you were here though," she said with a pout before smiling. "Where are your friends?"

"They're somewhere around here," I said as they came down the stairs after changing from practice.

"So which one's your boyfriend?" Annie asked teasingly.

"What?!" I asked surprised. "How do you know about that?"

"Aunt Joy from Petalburg said so making you the main theme of gossip this Christmas," she reported cheerfully.

"Oh boy," I said with sigh.

"Now I remember, your boyfriend's name is Drew Hayden, the awesome coordinator from home," she said happily.

"Sadly yes and thank you for making his ego bigger," I said annoyed as Drew smirked and flicked his fringe as he sat next to me while everyone else sat on the surrounding furniture and floor.

"I've even heard some talk about mommy and the aunts helping with your wedding. Can I be your flower girl?" she asked.

This caused me to go red in the face and everyone else to snicker, why me, "Leave it to your mother and your aunts to talk about that," I said annoyed.

Her face lit up with a huge smile, "I got it, the perfect shipping name for you guys. You guys are contestshipping," she decided happily. "You two are my favorite OTP."

Everyone burst out laughing, "Oh…my….Mew…, that is the last time you are watching a TV drama until you're older," I said in embarrassment as I placed my head in my hand.

I think my face got redder because everyone was still laughing especially Lizzy, "I love your cousin May. Where does she live, I gotta meet," she said as she regained her composure.

I smirked, "Where do you live?" I asked her.

"Uh….LaRousse City?" she said confused.

"There's your answer," I said.

"Who were you talking to May-may?" Annie asked.

"I was talking to Drew's sister Lizzy," I said. "She wants to meet you."

"Cool," she said happily. "Oh hang on cousin May-may, Aunt Joy wants to speak to you. Oh, thanks for the Christmas present."

I laughed, "You're welcome," I said as she disappeared and I saw Nurse Joy from Petalburg on the screen.

"Merry Christmas May," she said pleasantly.

"Merry Christmas Nurse Joy," I said tiredly. "Did you really blather to everyone there that I have a boyfriend."

"I suppose I did," she admitted. "Everyone was asking about you and they have been wondering if you would ever find a boyfriend."

"Geez," I said annoyed. "It's not like I'm antisocial or something."

"No, but you are a bit shy, not to mention difficult and stubborn at times," she said causing everyone to snicker.

"Oh my Mew," I said again in exasperation. "I give up on you guys. It's enough I get teased from the girl who claims I will be her future sister-in-law and now I have a cousin starting a fan club and a family planning my future wedding. What did I ever do to deserve this?"

"It's family dear, teasing comes with it," she said with a smile.

"I know it does, but this is getting really uncomfortable and I hope you're telling everyone not to blab. Drew is dating Lin, not May," I said tiredly.

"Yes, I explained, though it might be a little more difficult for Annie to accept since she's so young," Nurse Joy said.

"She's not so young if she already has a shipping name for my relationship," I said annoyed.

"Honey, you know she loves you. You're her role model ever since she could talk. She looks up to you and she also likes Drew. Let her have her fun. Besides, she was really saddened to hear that you wouldn't be able to celebrate Christmas with us this year," she said gently.

I smiled softly, "I know, but certain events caused a change in plans. I'll surprise visit her one of these days."

"I'll sure she'll enjoy it. Oh, I almost forgot. Can you do a quick favor for the Nurse Joy in Snowpoint City?" she asked.

"Yea, what's the favor?" I asked.

"One of the cameras for helping keep eyes on the wild pokemon has been unresponsive and she can't fix it due to being away for today and with you being so close…," she said.

"I can check it out. Just send me the coordinates of where the camera is," I said.

"Thanks so much," she said.

"Joy, we're ready to have Christmas dinner," another Nurse Joy said in the background.

"Coming," Nurse Joy hollered, "I'll let you go and send the coordinates, have a good time."

"Thanks, bye," I said as I ended the call and sighed. "Why me?"

"Aww, does May-may not like being teased," Lizzy teased in a baby voice.

"Yea May, speaking of your wedding, I'd be happy to design your wedding dress," Dawn teased.

"Shut up," I mumbled as I chucked a pillow at Dawn who caught it.

Leaf was about to say something but I cut her off, "The next person who opens their mouth to tease me is going to get the pranking of a life time," I threatened.

She immediately shut her mouth causing me to smile, "You know teasing comes with the territory of having friends May," Misty said.

"I know that, but right now, I've had enough teasing for a life time," I complained.

"No one ever gets enough teasing. It's a sign that shows people care. So with the amount of teasing you put up with today, I say you have a lot of people that care for ya," Leaf said.

I smiled, "You have a point and it's Christmas so I'll let it slide."

My poketch then lit up to show the coordinates of where the camera was located, "Huh, looks like the camera is up farther than I thought," I said surprised.

"Is it on the mountain," Max asked.

"Yup, about a couple thousand feet or so from what I thought," I said.

Max nodded and then Kirlia appeared, "Here's your winter mission outfit along with some gadgets," Max said as Kirlia gave me my winter clothes and a small backpack. "Also, Kirlia can drop you off near the area where the coordinates are."

"Thanks Max," I said as I put the coat red and black coat and winter cargo pants on along with my shoes.

"I'm sorry," he said.

I smiled gently, "I know, I'm sorry too, but you're gonna have to give me some space on the issue for a while. I'll come back to it when I'm ready."

He smiled as I gave him a hug, "Don't forget the earbud communicator," he said as he handed it to me.

"I won't, I'll keep in touch and I'm sure you'll keep track of me on your computer," I said as I put the earbud communicator in my ear and put my hair in a ponytail before putting my helmet on.

"Kirlia, use Teleport," Max commanded.

Soon I saw white everywhere as I stood on a ledge with the wind blowing causing me to shiver from the sudden change in temperature. Alright, let's see how far I am from the camera. I pushed some buttons on my poketch to show that I was a few hundred few below. I took the grappling gun that was in my backpack and shot it up to catch onto something. Once I felt that it was secure, I attached the gun to my waist and started to climb up.

Suddenly, another grappling hook shot up and I looked down to see that it was Drew in a similar getup as me, but his coat was lime green and black, "What are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?" I asked in annoyance.

"No, I'm here because everyone else didn't like the idea of you coming up here by yourself so Max geared me up and had Kirlia teleport me here," he said as he started to climb up.

"I figured as much, but I appreciate it," I said with a smile as we continued to climb up.

"You guys near the camera?" Max asked.

"We're a couple feet away," Drew reported as we got onto the edge and walked towards a cave that was straight ahead.

We got to the entrance and I saw a small camera that looked like the ones that were used by the Nurse Joy's to help keep an eye out on the wild pokemon in the area. The camera looked okay at a distance, but I decided to take a closer look to see that the lens was painted black and the wires were cut.

"It looks like the camera's been sabotaged Max. Nurse Joy is going to have to replace it," I said.

"Bring the camera with you. Maybe I can pull video feed from it still that can help show us what happened to it," Max said.

Drew then started to take the camera off its stand when I heard a cry coming from the cave similar to the one I heard this morning.

"What was that?" Drew asked.

I looked in the cave curiously, "I don't know, I heard a similar cry this morning when I was out earlier. You continue to detach the camera, I'll take a look."

"Alright May," Drew said hesitantly.

I smiled softly knowing he was still iffy about me being alone since I was kidnapped, "I'll holler if there's trouble, I promise."

He relaxed a little before I grabbed a small light from my backpack and made my way inside the cave. I walked a couple hundred feet before I saw the outline of a pokemon. I quickly ran up to it and from the light I saw that it was a shiny Gardevoir and it was badly hurt.

"Garde," it said weakly before passing out. (Help)

"Drew, can you help you out?" I asked through the earbud communicator.

Soon I heard footsteps coming up closer to where I was, "What's wrong?" he asked concerned as he reached me.

"This Gardevoir is hurt badly. We need to take her back to the chalet and heal her," I said quickly.

Drew then lifted her up and we brought her outside where we could inspect her better. I gasped at the sight of her. She was beaten, bruised, scarred, and cut all over.

"Who would do this?" I asked sadly as we turned her over causing both me and Drew to look in shock. Attached to her back were a few sticks of dynamite and a timer saying ten seconds.

"Oh my Mew!" I gasped as I quickly took the bomb off her and threw it up before I did a back flip to kick it up higher.

"We need to get out of here," I said in a panic while grabbing a keychain that looked like a snowboard from both our backpacks.

While doing so, I caught a glimpse of someone in the distance before they disappeared. It can't be, what are they doing here?!

"May, snap out of it! How are we getting out of here!" Drew shouted as the bomb went off above our heads as we ducked down towards the ground.

I quickly pressed a button on both key chains allowing them to become life sized.

"We're gonna have to ride out of here!" I shouted as I heard a sicken sound and looked up to see that the bomb started an avalanche.

"Guys, what's going on?!" Max shouted in concern as Drew carried Gardevoir and we both started snowboarding down the mountain.

"We found an injured Gardevoir with a bomb attached to it. I got rid of the bomb by throwing it up in the air causing an avalanche which we are trying to snowboard away from," I said frustrated. "Max, do a topographical scan of the mountain and locate a point for us to get away from the avalanche."

"May, it's getting closer! We can't keep out running it!" Drew shouted.

"We're gonna have to try, we don't have any other options," I said frustrated.

"Guys, good news and bad news. Good news, there's a way to get away from the avalanche. Bad news, you have to jump a ravine," Max said tiredly.

"Where's the ravine?" I asked quickly.

"It's coming straight up, but you won't have enough momentum to jump it at the rate you're going," he said.

"Did you add rocket capability to the snowboards," I asked.

"Yea, but that's really risky May," he said concerned.

"We're gonna have to do it if Drew and I don't want to be buried alive," I retorted.

"Drew, when we get close to the ravine, I'll active the rockets that are attached so be ready for a thrust," I said.

"Got it," he said tiredly as we continued to race down the mountain, the avalanche itself was gaining speed and it was a couple hundred feet behind us.

A few seconds later we came a couple hundred feet away from the ravine, "You ready Drew?" I asked.

"Go for it," he said determined.

I quickly pressed a button on my poketch to have small rockets appear on both our snowboards that thrust us down the mountain. I braced myself as we flew across the ravine for the impact as I quickly shut off the rockets before we crashed in the snow on the other side and watched as the avalanche went into the ravine.

"May, you okay?" Drew asked as he came to my side.

"I'm a bit shaken up and angry, but I'm fine," I said tiredly as Drew gave me a quick hug.

"Where's Gardevoir?" I asked as we both stood up.

"I laid her down before I came over to find you," he said as we carried our snowboards to where she was.

"We should keep riding down. Gardevoir shouldn't be out in this condition," I said concerned.

Drew nodded in agreement before he picked her up and we continued to snowboard down the mountain back to the chalet.

"Max, set up a small place where I can attend to Gardevoir in treating her wounds and also run a scan for any detection of human life on the mountain," I said as Drew and I continued to ride down.

"Sure thing May. The girls left to set up your small medical area and the guys are starting to run scans now. Why do you want scans for human life on the mountain?" he asked curiously.

"I just have a very bad feeling we stumbled onto something big and dangerous," I said concerned as Drew and I continued to snowboard down.

"Okay May, see you in a few," he said before he signed off.

I became worried and hoped my hunch was wrong. I hope I'm wrong. Otherwise, we are in for so much trouble and a huge problem that might be impossible to stop.