An Evening with May

After achieving victory against grass-type specialist Nick Sawyer, Ash found himself outside of the arena approaching May, who had been there for his match. Ash was surprised to see that Paul and Ritchie were not with her.

"Where are the guys?" Ash said to his female friend.

"They were here for the match, but wanted to head into town to grab some grub," May said. "I just wanted to say congrats on your win. Glalie, Muk and especially Typhlosion were all so awesome!"

"Thanks Contest Girl. I'll make sure to tell them that," Ash said. "What are your plans on your day off today?"

"Actually… I'm meeting up with Drew tonight," May said.

"Oh?" Ash replied. "Is he in the tournament?"

"He's sitting out for this one, but still wanted to watch it. I actually bumped into him yesterday before my match and he wanted to hang out and catch up tonight. He was able to recognize me right away…"

"What do you guys plan on doing?" Ash asked inquisitively.

"He just wants to meet up with me and grab a bite to eat. Maybe go out for drinks later."

"Well, for the time being would you like to maybe go shopping in town?" Ash asked in a nervous tone.

May smiled at the trainer, but was almost confused by the question since it was something rather out of character for Ash. "That actually sounds like a lot of fun. Let's do it!"

After hours of shopping, the pair exited a boutique and entered an alleyway behind the Indigo Pub as a shortcut to the field their Pokemon were residing in, smiles plastered on their faces as Ash carried all of May's bags for her. While Ash was wearing his usual blue cloak, his hood was down revealing his face. Then, Ash and May heard a voice ringing out in the alley.

"Hey May!" A green haired man wearing a purple vest and teal pants exclaimed. It was none other than May's biggest rival during her adventures in the Hoenn region, Drew. "I thought we were gonna meet up for drinks at the Pub."

"Oh, sorry Drew, I got sidetracked!" May said. "I was just shopping for the past couple of hours with my friend Sato-"

"Well I'll be damned," Drew said. "If it isn't Ash Ketchum. I almost didn't recognize you behind that doormat on your face. I thought you dropped off the face of the planet and died."

"Look man, it's just a beard. And it's nice to see you too," Ash said, before turning to May. "I can bring all your bags back to your room if you want me to. So you can hang out with Drew."

"Oh…" May said. "Well I'm not ready for our fun to stop just yet. Is it cool if Ash hangs out with us?"

"I mean it would be kind of weird having him on our date." Drew said. Ash turned pale.

"Woah, woah, woah," May said. "Whoever said this was a date! The last time we saw each other we were 10 and all of a sudden this is a date!"

"Or is this all because he is here!" Drew said pointing at Ash. "A second rate trainer like himself that you just feel pitiful for!"

"What the hell is your problem?" Ash said. "You're drunk, man. You don't want to start anything with me."

In an instant, Drew lunged at Ash. Ash dropped all of May's bags on the ground, as he was tackled to the ground. While the two men were wrestling on the ground, May screamed at the two as she attempted to break them apart, but was shoved to the ground by Drew.

Ash watched as May's body hit the ground. In a moment, he went into a fury. With his eyes glowing a brilliant blue, he pushed up on Drew's stomach with his feet, as a pulse of aura shot out from his soles, which sent Drew flying into the side of a dumpster. Ash then ran over to May who was lying on the ground, with a little blood dribbling down from under her white bandana. When Drew got back up and charged at Ash, he formed a long staff of blue aura in his hands, and used it as a weapon to fight off his attacker, first jabbing him in the stomach and then sweeping his legs out from under him.

"What the hell is that!" Drew exclaimed, landing on his rear, before quickly scrambling up to his feet. "We're using weapons now! How about you and I settle this like real men! With a Pokemon battle! Winner gets May's love and affection!"

Before Ash could say anything, a now standing May rushed to Drew and sucker punched him in the face, sending him to the ground. Clutching his nose, Drew sat in defeat.

"That's what you get for treating my love for somebody as an object, you dick," May said, taking the opportunity to spit on the downed person. "Now get the hell out of here and pray that I never see you again."

Drew got up off the ground and ran out of the alley. Ash stood there astonished, realizing that Drew messed with the wrong person. The staff in his hand dissipated into the night air.

May turned back to Ash, shrugged her shoulders and stated, "He's sure changed a lot."

"Is your head alright?" Ash asked with concern in his voice. "You're bleeding."

"Just a little scratch," May said, untying her now bloodstained bandana. "That dumbass ruined my favorite bandana though."

"I didn't know the bandana I gave you was your favorite one," Ash said taking the bloodied cloth from her hands and pocketing it. He then reached out his left hand and covered the wound on her head. May winced at first, but then felt a calming energy which flowed through Ash's fingers to the spot her wound was. After a few seconds, the area was perfectly healed. "There. All better." Ash ran a thumb over the spot and May felt no pain whatsoever.

"Thanks!" May said in gratitude. "You know, Ash, what you did for me was really brave."

"I mean there's nothing really brave about it," Ash said. "It's just accelerated healing with Aura. It's actually a pretty simple trick-"

"I meant helping me out back there with Drew," May said. "Can't believe how much of a creep he turned out to be. At least you know how to treat a lady… It's nice to know that you care about me."

Ash couldn't help but stare into her gorgeous blue eyes as he blushed. At that moment, he had a hard time trying to find out what he was going to say.

"Of course I care about you- I mean, he was messing with one of my friends so…" Ash paused as he was kissed on the cheek by May.

"Wow..."

May playfully punched him on the shoulder. "Wanna hang out or something tomorrow?"

"It's a date," Ash said, collecting May's bags for her. "But only if you want it to be!"

May laughed as the two trainers turned and exited the alley, strolling back to their Pokemon in the cool night air.