Hi all,
I'm so sorry this is late, and I'm so, so thankful for everyone who reads this and who reviews, follows and favourites. It does mean a lot to me.
This chapter was rushed, but I hope it was worth it :)
Chapter 23Rushing into their clothing, May had fumbled to return all of her pokémon before glancing shyly at Drew. They were just about to move out from their camp when unfamiliar steps could be heard.
Blinking as a familiar Plusle and Minun started to play with the Riolu and Zorua before her, May frowned as she searched for the trainer with the two newcomers.
'Hey, May, what're you doing here?' Solana's voice beamed as she glanced at the two Coordinators, though her lips pursed with a strain that didn't go past May.
'We're just packing our camp,' Drew stated, standing before May slightly, though May couldn't help but smile at the young Ranger before her, hoping to appease her concerns.
'Oh, right. Well I've been told to check out yet another disturbance near the outskirts of the beach. I'm not sure what's going on out on the ocean, but whatever it is, I think it'll be pretty big,' Solana responded, glancing at May, who blanched at this news.
'We're going to investigate. If it's big, you can't expect Jackie and Max to handle it on their own. Who knows how many people they'll be up against,' Brendan snarled, glowering at the woman's surprised expression.
'Under normal circumstances I'd stop you. However, I've met Ash, Brock, Max and May before, so in this instance, I'll turn a blind eye. Besides, I have to investigate a disturbance with the pokémon near the Marine Cave,' Solana offered a small smile before focusing her red eyes in the direction the cave must have been.
'We'll go with you, there's no point in us all going to help Max and Jackie,' Solidad offered, not so subtly nudging Harley, who begrudgingly nodded his head in agreement. May knew that wherever Solidad went, the man would follow. After all, they complimented each other perfectly, in every platonic sense of the word.
'I'd like to help too. The poor pokémon must be terrified if they're up there all by themselves,' Dawn voiced, her lips set in a determined line. She was as confident as any sidekick of Ash, ready to fight for whatever cause required assistance.
Beside her, Paul rolled his eyes once before growling, 'I suppose I'm up for helping too.'
'I would be grateful. From what I've heard, I'll be facing multiple opponents, and no other Ranger could be spared,' Solana grimaced before leading the way to the cave.
'Wait, Solana?' May called, stepping away from Drew slightly after sending him a sheepish smile.
'Yeah?' The woman with teal coloured hair frowned as she glanced back at the sapphire eyed woman.
'Be careful. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to any of you,' May whispered, surprising most of her companions.
'Don't worry, we'll be fine,' Solana winked one of her red eyes at the woman as Plusle and Minun danced on her shoulders, reiterating the sentiment.
'Right, how many of you have a flying type?' Gary frowned, glancing at the three others who remained as their companions ran across the sand to the area of the second disturbance.
'Well, you know I have Latios,' Brendan muttered, glancing at May apprehensively.
'I've got Flygon,' Drew responded, flicking his hair confidently out of his eyes.
'I'll have to Xtransceive a friend,' May muttered sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck anxiously.
'What do you mean? Do you need to borrow one from Ash?' Gary frowned as Brendan's face blanched.
'May, are you sure? I mean, Latios can carry you, if you need it,' Brendan hissed, ignoring Drew's suspicious glance as May began to rummage through her bag, reaching past her Xtransceiver.
'I can't just do that to Latios, he's my friend too, and he's got to be exhausted after flying your heavy behind over here!' May chastised before walking towards the blue legendary who nuzzled her hand affectionately.
'We didn't travel that far, don't worry about it. And besides, I'm not that heavy, you know! Just because you're the weakest little girl I've ever known! I can't believe I'm being told by you of all people that I need to lose weight. You eat more than a Donphan! Besides, what about the things you told me about Steven—' Brendan whispered, ignoring the curious glances he received from the other two men.
'That was then, this is now, Brendan. She will answer my call and Steven will understand the circumstances. If he can't, then that's of no concern to me. Times have changed, besides, I trust Drew, and I suppose if Ash, Brock, Dawn and Misty trust Gary, I should too,' May admonished, barely glancing at her ruby eyed friend as she pulled an Eon Flute out of her bag, much like the one Brendan had used, and brought it to her lips.
Playing a sweet, soft melody, May waited, her sapphire orbs intent upon the sky above. They didn't have to wait long before a red pokémon appeared in the distance, barely visible to the naked eye.
Hearing the familiar cry of Latias, the sister of Latios, May let out an eager call of her own, jumping forward as she searched the sky for her friend.
'May, how did you possibly get into contact with Manaphy, Latias and Latios?' Drew growled, his expression filled with disbelief.
'Drew, when you travel with Ash, legendaries swarm to you, trust me on that. I have no idea how that bumbling bafoon does it, but he does,' Gary muttered, placing a reassuring hand on the chartreuse haired man's shoulders.
'I suppose, I mean you have a living fossil flying you around,' Drew mumbled, placing his hands back in his pocket, his act of nonchalance returning.
Seeing the red, and much smaller, version of Latios fly towards her, May couldn't help but grin as she rushed forward, Brendan hot on her heels.
'Latias, girl, it's so good to see you! I'm so sorry it's been so long!' May grinned as she hugged the pokémon's neck, burying her face in its white feathers.
'She must have followed her brother,' Brendan chuckled as he petted the pokémon's side affectionately.
'I'd imagine it would get lonely without him,' May whispered as she saw Drew release his Flygon.
At a nod from the man, she turned to her friend, 'Latias, under normal circumstances I wouldn't ask you to travel so far from Hoenn, but I need your help. Some bad people are after a good friend of mine, who is like my own flesh and blood, a son to me. My brother and another friend are trying to protect him, but I'm worried they'll be out numbered.'
Latias called her name once before lifting May onto her back, calling softly to reassure her.
'You're the best, Latias!' May grinned, hugging the pokémon tightly. Having Steven introduce her to the pokémon after having been reacquainted with the man in Hoenn had definitely been incredible.
'Ready?' Brendan's voice called, perched from Latios' back.
'As ready as we'll ever be,' Gary murmured before taking the lead on his Aerodactyl.
'Drew, you'd better lead so Flygon breaks the wind for the others,' May called, silencing Brendan's protests with a glare.
'You've got it,' Drew nodded back, smugly smirking at Gary, who scowled in response. The two men seemed to have a rivalry going on, and May knew better than to question it.
In a V formation, the group flew on, with Drew showing the way.
'Hey, I think I see something down there,' Drew called, pointing to an isolated island, on which a submarine was beached, its steel exterior striking a chord with May.
'Oh no, any submarine but that one!' May gasped as she stared down at it. She recognised its slim, metal body, coloured brown with prolonged exposure to the sea.
'You know that boat?' Brendan questioned as Latias began to cry in distress, sensing May's concern.
'It's ok, girl, we'll get Max out of there, don't worry,' May reassured her, sending a worried glance to Gary, who frowned.
'What's so significant about that one beached monstrosity?' Gary frowned as Drew glanced back at him.
'That's the same submarine that we struggled with for Samiya and Manaphy last time. It was run by a pirate called the Phantom, and he's a greedy so-and-so. If he's back, he'll do anything to get his hands on the jewels in that temple, even if the water type pokémon have to suffer,' May responded as she nudged Latias to land on the beach.
'Wait for us!' Brendan yelped as the three men followed her, watching May jump off Latias' back with well-practiced ease.
Having landed the traditional way, Drew frowned, 'so, what's Samaya?'
'Samiya,' Brendan corrected as he removed his beanie, petting Latios in an appreciative manner.
'So you know about this place?' Drew frowned, arching a cool eyebrow at the man as Gary rolled his eyes at them, petting Aerodactyl's nose affectionately.
'May mentioned it once to me after telling me about a dream. She seemed flustered afterwards, so I thought I'd look into it,' Brendan shrugged, ignoring the indignant squawk which came from his childhood friend.
'Well, are you going to tell us or do I have to call your dear uncle?' Gary snapped, crossing his arms irritably. Clearly he resented learning from the black haired male, who sent him a gloating smile.
'There won't be any need for that, Samiya is an underwater temple which roams with the world's currents. It was the home of the People of the Water, but I'm not too sure where they've gone since it was, well, abandoned,' Brendan muttered, making May flush.
'Look, what matters is that the Phantom is after the Sea Crown which isn't his. Now, the Sea King can't be here, so I have to defend it for my son,' May glowered, sending her friend a glare to silence him.
'Sea Crown? Sea King? Your son? I think she's lost it,' Gary mumbled, shaking his head in disbelief.
'Well then hurry up and contact Ash to get him on your Xtransceiver! He's the Sea King, I'm telling you that now!' May glared at the man, who raised his hands in acquiescence at her fury.
'May, are you sure about this?' Drew frowned as the brunette rolled her eyes.
'We're running out of time, but fine, I'll just go by myself,' May glared before rushing into the sea. She only had one shot at this, and she wasn't even sure it would work.
Her thoughts consumed with her brother, Jackie and Manaphy, May placed the hand wearing the mark of the People of the Water on her chest before she sang the very song that had brought Manaphy to her. She had to hope that someone would come back for them, to lead her to the underwater temple.
Closing her eyes as she focused on Manaphy, wondering where he was, she desperately hoped that he would use heart swap on any of them and Jackie so she would be with him again. If any Ranger could find Samiya without Manaphy as a guide, it would be Jackie.
Hearing the gasps of her companions, May continued to sing the song that had haunted her dreams, returning her to the temple which she'd only had the chance of visiting once. Opening her eyes, she was surprised to see various water types before her, ranging from Milotic, Lumineon, Wailord and Octillery.
Blinking, May's eyes focused on one familiar face in the centre of the group.
'Don't tell me you know him too!' Gary groaned as he saw May grin.
'Well, if you don't want me to tell you, then I won't!' The woman retorted, poking her tongue out at him childishly before rushing into the water.
'Does this woman just attract legendaries, or what? I don't think even Ash has managed to group this many to him in such a short space of time! We're not even in Hoenn, for Mew's sake!' Gary scoffed, his tone incredibly jealous.
'Trust me, you don't want to know half of the stuff that happened in Hoenn whilst she was Gym Leader. I think I only know half of it and I'm not sure I believe it, even if May's never been able to lie successfully in her life,' Brendan muttered, his shoulders sagging in defeat whilst Drew just stared at her in shock.
'Kyogre, it's so good to see you again. Quite a few years ago, you came to pay your respects to the Prince of the Sea, and we would be very grateful if you could find a way to detect Samiya for us. I fear the danger from those years ago has returned,' May smiled sadly as she suppressed memories of her last encounter with the legendary pokémon. After all, that had been a horrific experience, and one she didn't care to repeat any time soon, if ever.
The deep blue pokémon, with its white belly and red patterns which extended to its finger like fins, growled in response.
'All right, pick a pokémon, guys! We're going for a dive,' May called before taking her diving device from her bag.
'May, we can't all go down like that. Drew doesn't have the gear,' Brendan growled, glaring at his friend in anger.
'Well isn't that a shame. That means that someone's going to have to stay behind to keep Latios and Latias company,' May sighed, winking subtly at the chartreuse haired man.
'Hang on a minute, I'm not just sitting on the side lines while you're risking your neck!' Drew glowered, taking a menacing step towards May.
Hearing Kyogre growl behind her, May let out a light laugh, 'relax, Kyogre, Drew's a friend of mine. I know, he's got a funny way of showing it, but he's almost always been there for me when he knew I needed it most. Assuming, of course, that we're talking to each other.'
Wincing at the obvious dig at their years of separation, Drew scratched the back of his head nervously as Gary glowered, 'well I'm not letting her go off by herself either! And what about Max, I can't just forget about him, either!'
Hearing this, Brendan groaned wordlessly as May's eyes flickered towards his.
Upon noticing her friend's distress, May skipped forward and kissed his cheek lightly, offering him a bright smile that she knew was a little too bright.
The man, in response, sighed, 'why is it that I always have to sit out of your adventures? Professor Oak Junior wants to tag along for reasons I can't say and Mister Drew the Coordinator Extraordinaire is also demanding to go along, despite lacking the required equipment! Does that really mean I have to be left behind because someone else forgot to be prepared?'
'Brendan, have I ever said I love you?' May giggled, unaware of the heated glare Drew was sending her childhood friend, as well as the bemused smirk on the Kanto native's face.
'Yes, often, usually followed by a request that leaves me grounded for months, or leaves me terrified for your safety! Far out, May, how much more of this stuff will I have to miss? First Latios and Latias, then Kyogre and Groudon, then there was Rayquaza, when will it end?' Brendan ranted, throwing his beanie on the ground in anger as the young woman watched him scowl at her.
Giggling, May picked up his beanie and placed it once again on his head, whispering, 'don't be so angry, Brendan, what will your future wife say?'
'She's not here, unless it's Gary-etta!' Brendan roared, causing May to outright laugh with glee.
'Oi, I'm spoken for, Birch! And by a woman, no less!' Gary retorted heatedly, his face flushing at Brendan's comment.
'Oh, I'm sorry, did you confess to her in my brief lapse of enraged rambling? No? She's not here? Then zip it, Oak!' Brendan growled back, though May knew he wouldn't have picked this fight if he wasn't so frustrated by her request.
'In case I need to remind you, she's in Kanto, possibly Johto—I can honestly never keep up with her—and not here!' Gary scowled back, crossing his arms like a young child.
Giggling, May leaned over to an extremely displeased Drew, 'isn't young love adorable?'
'I don't know, you tell me. You were, after all, professing your love for one of them two seconds ago,' Drew retorted, glowering at May, who flushed at the statement.
'Oh, did I? Sorry, I guess I forgot there were onlookers. It's just how I ask him for favours,' May chuckled nervously as she returned her attention to Kyogre.
'Right,' Drew snorted, refusing to even look at her as she petted one of the legendary pokémon of Hoenn.
'Drew, if I get it back with a single scratch, you're paying for a new pair. Furthermore, if I so much as hear that anything has happened to May, I'll hunt you down myself. Gary, the same goes for you, but with Max too,' Brendan snarled before Gary chose to sit on one of the Wailord, its large blue body floating above the water.
'What? Why don't I hear you preaching about your concern for Jackie?' Gary chuckled, winking subtly as Drew, who rolled his eyes.
'Because I know May and Max would do something stupid for that fool man. They should never have left her behind. They've got to be mental to think she'd just stay back like a good little wife and daughter! Ha, I've yet to hear anything funnier than her being a good wife or daughter!' Brendan ranted again, causing May to poke her tongue out in response.
'There you go, now at least we know which one of you is the boss in your relationship,' she giggled further as she winked at Gary, who grimaced at the joke. With a slight wink at her childhood friend, she hopped onto the Hoenn legendary's back with ease, managing to ignore her friend's glare after the obvious revenge at his previous dig at her.
'Come back here and say that!' Brendan roared as Kyogre began to swim away from the island. The brunette didn't see the man's face pale, growing tenser with worry. After all, May was as much like a sister to him, as he was a brother to her.