Hi all,

Here's the latest update. I'm sorry it's a little late. Thank you so much for all of the reviews, follows and favourites.

Chapter 33

Hearing the deafening roars around her, the young woman couldn't help but face the stadium with a disbelieving smile. Glancing at the stunning brunette beauty opposite her, who had so graciously accepted her defeat, the young red haired woman let out a light laugh before jumping on her exhausted pokémon.

'Staryu, you did it! You're the best!' Misty grinned as she clung onto her golden-brown sea star pokémon, its golden ring which surrounded its pink life force gem was glowing dully, but she could sense its joy at having been her final pokémon.

'Rest up, you deserve it,' Misty winked before returning her pokémon and walking up to her friend, who looked only slightly dejected.

'Misty, good battle,' Leaf grinned as she held out a civilised hand, her brown eyes flickering around the crowded stadium.

'Screw public correctness, come over here and give me a hug!' Misty grinned before pulling the brunette into her arms, letting out an overjoyed squeal.

'So, it'll be you versing Ash after all. I'm kind of relieved—he's always managed to undermine any of my battle strategies and come out on top. I would have been slaughtered, so you did me a favour,' the brunette mused, her brown eyes sparkling as her long hair fell over her ear.

'And I can't wait to see his face when he finds out,' Misty grinned, her cerulean eyes brightening at the prospect of seeing her best friend's shock.

'Are you going to tell him yourself or do you want the public to do that for you?' Leaf mused, her expression showing none of the dejection defeat so often left on her.

'Want to come with me?' Misty grinned at her friend, knowing her answer.

'Sure, let's just get the formalities out of the way first,' Leaf couldn't help but grin back as she led Misty to the back room in which all Champion data was retained.

'Place your pokéballs here and wait for the magic,' Leaf winked at Misty, who apprehensively placed her pokéballs there, seeing their data coming up on a screen. There was Gyarados, Psyduck, Corsola, Seel, Dragonair and Staryu, their statistics and health filling the screen.

'Now, here's the paperwork we covered before the battle. All you need to do is sign here and here,' Leaf smiled at the woman who she considered one of her oldest friends.

Grinning as she took the black pen, Misty quickly scribbled her signature in the places assigned, her eyes sparkling with restrained tears.

'You ready to give Ash hell?' Leaf grinned once she handed it to one of the nearby assistants.

'Like you wouldn't believe,' Misty grinned as they rushed out of the door, taking the brunette's arm in her own.

'I just hope Gary isn't there again,' Leaf grimaced, though Misty nudged her, 'you know he's just there so often because Delia's cooking is so good. Oh, and of course because he knows you'd rather spend time with Ash than him.'

'It would be fine if he wasn't so insistent on flirting with me. I'm just happy Daisy-May is there to defend me half the time,' Leaf groaned as she climbed into a pristine car, the leather seats a comfort she had not yet become accustomed to.

'Please, you love his attention,' Misty scoffed as she crossed her arms and looked out of the window.

'Like you love Ash spending time with Serena!' Leaf retorted, an angry flush filling her cheeks.

'Then I must love it when those two spend time together, reminiscing time in their stupid kid's camp!' Misty snapped back, her earlier cheer lost thanks to Leaf's teasing.

'Sorry, but you know how I feel about Oak,' Leaf grimaced at her friend, who knew of her struggles as surely as she knew her own.

'And you know how I feel about that sly Gothita,' Misty shrugged before grinning at her friend. With a sly smile, she grinned, 'if I ever need a replacement member for the Elite Four, your name's going down on that list, by the way.'

'Really?' Leaf beamed, unable to believe her ears. She'd always wanted to be a Champion, but knew that she'd have a hard time defeating Ash Ketchum. The man defied logic, and that was something she couldn't comprehend in battling him. If she'd had to verse him, she would probably have had a spectacular loss. At least Misty could give him a run for his money.

'Of course,' Misty winked back, returning her attention to the scenery outside.

Considering the location of the League's headquarters in Indigo Plateau, it didn't take too long to reach Pallet Town in Kanto. The extravagant vehicle attracted a lot of attention, but Misty didn't care when it stopped outside the familiar abode of Ash and Delia Ketchum.

Stepping out of the luxury vehicle, Misty walked with a determined step to the front door, which slammed open to reveal Mr Mime shoving none other than Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak out of the house. The large clown like pokémon, with a white body, pink puffy sleeves on his shoulders and legs, rosy cheeks and gloved hands continued to push them with a straw broomstick, appearing more angered than the young red head had ever seen him.

'Hey, Mr Mime, cut it out! We didn't mean to get the chips and popcorn all over the floor! Cut it out, it's just a little mess!' Ash cried as it continued to push them out, the broomstick hitting him successfully on the head.

With a light laugh, Leaf teased, 'Ash Ketchum, aspiring Champion, defeated by Mr Mime, pokémon of his mother!'

'Hey, who do you think you're laughing at?' Ash retorted, turning to face them before stopping dead in his tracks.

'Oi, Mimey, cut it out! It was Ash that threw most of it, not me!' Gary yelped as he continued to fend off the pokémon's attacks on his own.

'Ash, help me!' Gary continued as Ash cleared his throat and muttered, 'Gary. Gary. Gary!'

'What?' Gary roared as Mr Mime thwarted him with a broom against his head, causing both young women to once again fall into a fit of giggles.

'Ash, you certainly know how to make us feel welcome,' Misty winked at the man, who gaped at her sudden appearance.

'Misty, you just won against Leaf and you thought you'd come see me first?' Ash questioned, his eyes widening in shock as Misty's face flushed.

'Hey Leaf, you're looking as gorgeous as ever, I see,' Gary winked as he moved to place an arm around her shoulders.

With an eye roll, Leaf shoved the man away, heading into the home, 'is Delia home?'

'No, she had an errand with gramps,' Gary responded as he tried, and failed, to pass the psychic type.

'Are you sure there's nothing going on between those two?' Leaf frowned as her gaze flickered around the pristine home, focusing on the mess in the living room. There was popcorn and chocolate everywhere, the coffee table was pushed out of the way and a glass with water was spilled on the ground.

Turning back to Ash, she frowned, 'you call this a little mess?'

Misty, upon having followed the brunette, whistled. Turning an angry glare upon the black haired man, she snarled, 'Ash Ketchum, your mother and Mr Mime work hard to keep this house in order! You're home for a little training and it looks like this room has been trashed!'

'Hey, it wasn't just me!' Ash retorted, his own temper flaring up.

'Are you kidding me? It's always just you! Trouble follows you like Team Rocket love a bad smell!' Misty glared back, taking an angered step towards the man.

'Gary was in on it too!' Ash snarled as he stormed past Mr Mime to get into her face, the psychic type warily watching the two, having had many an encounter with their explosive arguments.

'Yes, but he's not the one living here with his single mother, is he? Besides, I'd expect that much from a pignite like him, but you? I expected more from you!' Misty yelled back, ignoring Gary's indignant squawk at her insult.

'She's got a point, you know. You're terrible,' Leaf frowned at the man, who pouted at the news.

'May doesn't think I'm terrible, nor do Brendan and Max,' Gary sulked, crossing his arms childishly as Ash whispered in a small voice, 'why wouldn't you expect more from Gary than me? Is it because he's a professor's son who's had a mother and father? Does that excuse his behaviour?'

'Ash, I'm sorry, you know I didn't mean it like that,' Misty frowned at her friend, touching his shoulder hesitantly.

'Who's May?' Leaf frowned at the brunet nearby, feeling a sense of unease enter her stomach. She'd just lost her title, was she going to discover that Gary had a secret too, another woman, at that?

'I think it would be best if you both left,' Ash said, hiding his eyes with his hair, his voice unusually solemn.

'Wait, Ash, you don't mean that!' Misty said, a slight panic filling her voice as she gazed at Leaf's stunned expression, barely registering that her friend might need assistance.

'Gary, who is she? Don't tell me you've got that pathetic cheering squad back,' Leaf glowered as Gary's Xtransceiver rang.

'Of course she's not! She's so much more than a silly cheerleader. Hang on, I've got to take this call,' Gary frowned at Leaf before pressing the device to his ear. In a cheerful voice, he greeted, 'hey Max, miss me already?'

There was a moment of silence as Misty tried and failed to gain Ash's attention, though it was focused intensely on the man beside him.

'You're joking, right?' Gary laughed into the device before his face became filled with panic. In an unsteady voice, he frowned, 'Max, what's happened? Please tell me she's ok.'

Hearing this, Ash turned his gaze onto his childhood friend, Pikachu racing into the room, his mouth covered in ketchup, skidding to a halt upon registering the serious mood.

'But I was just with them, Drew was fine, so was May!' Gary panicked into the device, his dark eyes meeting Ash's.

'What do you mean they're not sure if he's going to be ok? I was just with them! He was fine, he was walking and talking!' Gary scowled into the device as Ash swore under his breath, running out of the room.

'Gary, who are Max, May and Drew?' Misty questioned as a sense of apprehension filled her, but the man wasn't listening to her.

'How's that possible? Where are they?' Gary frowned as he saw Ash return with his jacket and backpack.

'I'm on my way,' he scowled before ending the call. Flicking his eyes to Leaf, he said, 'Leaf, here's my Xtransceiver; call Brendan Birch and tell him May's in trouble. Max told me that she's got a family friend with a helicopter and I need him to send one to Pallet Town. Ash, I need you to call gramps and tell him we need to get to Almia. He'll know what for, just tell him I don't know why yet.'

'Where are you going?' Misty called as the brunet turned to the door, in which Mr Mime still stood, enraged by the men's presence.

'I'm getting a razz berry cake,' the man smirked as his eyes flickered to Leaf, who was on the phone to the Hoenn professor's apprentice.

'Pikachu, I think I'm missing something very important,' Misty frowned as Pikachu scratched his head uncertainly.

Ending the call, Leaf looked as confused as Misty felt whilst Ash spoke to his mother on his Xtransceiver.

'No, mum, Gary is fine. It's Drew that's been hurt, I told you about him, remember? Yes, May is fine, I hope. I don't know. She'll be distraught, though, she always takes these things so hard. No, I definitely have to go. My challenge can wait, May comes first. Of course I'm sure!' Ash was stating into the device, pacing the hallway anxiously.

'Mum, put Professor Oak on, please. He'll want to hear this,' Ash groaned as he rolled his eyes aton the extremely perplexed Misty and Leaf.

There was a pause in which, Misty assumed, the device was passed onto the older man.

'Hi Professor, I take it my mum told you about May?' Ash frowned as he scratched the back of his head nervously.

Seeing this action, Misty felt her eyes narrow. Ash was never this apprehensive when he spoke to the pokémon professor, so he must be hiding something from otherwise her or him. Either option wasn't good, especially since she considered them both good friends.

'Yeah, I'm not sure if she'll be all right. She takes these things so personally, you know May. I don't think you should contact her just yet, but as soon as I have any further information, I'll let you know. Yeah, you can contact Max if you want, though he'll be just as upset. He's never said as much, but I always guessed he approved of Drew,' Ash grimaced into the device, eying the two women cautiously.

Once he'd hung up, Misty arched a cool eyebrow at the man, who busied himself with picking Pikachu up and placing him on his shoulder.

'Well?' Leaf snapped, as irritated at being out of the loop as Misty was.

'What?' Ash grimaced at them, unable to meet either of their eyes.

'Don't what me, tell us what's going on!' Misty snarled as she felt the urge to hit the man increase. Mew, of all the men to love, why did it have to be someone as thick as Ash bloody Ketchum?

'Look, I can't tell you much, but yes, it's our May. Gary's sworn me to secrecy!' Ash yelped as Misty grabbed the front of his shirt.

'What's that infuriating Oddish brain done now?' Misty snarled as she turned her attention to see Gary rushing back to them, Leaf staring from one friend to the next, her expression guarded.

'I don't know, I was here with Gary, wasn't I?' Ash glared back at her as Leaf arched an eyebrow at Gary, who placed the cake box in her hands.

'Right, I need you to come with me, Leaf,' Gary said, forcing himself to meet her eyes.

'Why?' Leaf questioned, her lips pulled up in disgust.

'Because it's crazy and stupid, but I need to be there for her. I've been such an unbelievable arse and she once asked me to introduce you with razz berry cake. Please, Leaf,' Gary pleaded, his eyebrows knitting together as he looked at her.

Misty was unable to believe her ears as she watched the exchange, not daring to believe that Gary was actually sacrificing his pride for anyone, especially May, who'd sworn to hate him in their last conversation together.

'I'll beg if I have to,' Gary threatened, his hands clenched as his eyes shone with determination.

'What?' Leaf gasped, her eyes the size of saucers, and Misty could imagine why. If Ash acted so uncharacteristically for a woman she'd never met, she wasn't too sure how she'd react herself. Even just seeing her friend behave like this, it made her feel slightly light headed.

Grimacing, Gary dropped to his knees, looking up at her. In a clear voice, which only shook in the slightest bit, he said, 'please help me, Leaf. May means so much to me, and I've been terrible to her. She needs me now, and I know that you'll be able to cheer up by just bringing her this cake.'

'What?' Leaf questioned again, blinking as Misty felt herself lean into the nearby wall with disbelief. Arceus help her, but if she walked outside she was terrified to be hit with judgment. Surely the legendary pokémon had to be waiting outside for Gary Oak to swallow his pride and behave like this. What had May done to the man? Misty couldn't help but wonder how Leaf would react to it.

'You heard me. Help me cheer her up, Leaf. Drew means the world to her, I've seen it in the way she looks at him, and the way he looks at her. She's had enough shit happen to her and if I can bring that cheerful smile back to her face, I will, no matter what the cost. Please,' Gary continued, clasping his hands before his face as Misty saw Leaf's hands shake.

Stepping forward, she quickly took the cake from her friend who fell into the wall, causing some of the portraits of Ash behind her to move slightly.

'Leaf?' Misty whispered as she stepped closer to her friend, feeling a sense of foreboding fill her. Leaf was usually the more level-headed of the two, and to see her lose her self-control was quite alarming for the young Cerulean woman.

'All right, I'll do it,' Leaf responded, though her voice sounded strained. Glancing at Misty, she obviously gulped before continuing in a slightly stronger voice, 'but you owe me, Oak!'

'Thank you, Leaf, I could kiss you!' Gary grinned, lunging forward to pull her into a tight hug.

All Misty could feel was a wave of gratitude that she had taken the cake out of Leaf's hands.

'If you so much as bring your Durant infested mouth near me, I will personally ensure that my trusty Arcanine rips your face off!' Leaf snarled at the man, though it lacked its usual venom.

'Don't worry, I won't try to kiss you for years if it means you cheer May up,' Gary grinned as his eyes flickered to Ash, whose mouth was agape.

'What?' Gary frowned at his childhood friend.

'You just promised not to kiss Leaf for years,' Ash choked out, causing Gary to frown, apparently realising his mistake.

'We'll see how long it lasts,' Misty grinned as Leaf scowled at her.

'Right, where's May at?' Ash grinned, rubbing his hands together.

'Almia,' Gary responded as his eyes flickered to the sky outside.

'Why are you looking outside?' Misty frowned as she saw a speck in the distance.

'May and Brendan just happen to be good friends with Wattson. If Brendan got the message Leaf told him, he's probably coming from Hoenn to give us a ride,' Gary grinned as he winked at the two beside him.

'How'd you convince him to come here of all places? We're a detour,' Leaf frowned as Ash grinned at the prospect of being reunited with the electric Gym Leader.

'Ash happens to be his friend, and he's helped May's family quite a bit in the past. When he hears what's happened from Brendan, he'd probably be only too happy to assist,' Gary shrugged, appearing oblivious of Leaf's increasing jealously.

Misty frowned, 'will Steven be there if this Wattson is a Hoenn Gym Leader?'

'I don't know. From what Brendan's told me he's apparently good friends with May,' Gary shrugged, appearing indifferent.

'Apparently good friends? Arceus! He's her ex, Gary!' Misty groaned, wondering if the man was as oblivious as he was pretending to be.

'That would explain why Brendan said he'd jump at the prospect of helping Max,' Gary chuckled. Scratching his hair, he wiggled his eyebrows, 'clearly he still wants her.'

'I thought he was still interested in Cynthia? From what May's told me that was one of the reasons they split up,' Misty scowled at the man, not appreciating his tone.

'If he's interested in that Sinnoh woman, what's he doing being prepared to drop everything to chase May in Almia?' Gary shrugged as he placed an arm around Leaf's shoulders, appearing perfectly at ease with the woman's Venipede glower.

'And why are you so happy about it?' Misty retorted, not appreciating the smug look which filled his eyes.

'It just means she's one hell of a babe, even with that innocent crap she's got going on. The sexiness genes are strong in her after all,' Gary winked, a mischievous smile filling his face as Ash began to cough, his black eyes wide.

'You'd better not be trying anything on with her! That babe happens to be legitimately innocent and I won't tolerate you toying with her after everything she's been through, Oak!' Misty snarled, silently wishing she could trust Ash with the cake so she could pummel the infuriating man into the ground.

'Who, me?' Gary gasped with faux shock before Leaf elbowed him sharply in the gut.

'Leaf, have I ever said how amazing you are?' the man wheezed between groans.

'All the time. Clearly that tactic is working for you,' Leaf snorted, rolling her eyes as Gary continued to rub his stomach.

'I don't know why he always does it to Leaf,' Ash frowned at Misty, who considered their interactions with obvious disdain.

'Doesn't it worry you that he might try something with May?' the woman from Cerulean City frowned at the black haired man, tactfully choosing to ignore advising the man of Gary's flirting rituals.

'Nah, I'd trust Gary with her life. He wouldn't harm a hair on her head, trust me,' Ash chuckled as he ushered them out of his house, seeing the familiar helicopter of Wattson landing on the nearby oval.

Hearing this, Misty frowned, wondering what Gary had said to convince Ash of this statement. From his own speech, she couldn't help but question if Gary was going to end up hurting one, if not both, of her close friends. She hesitated only slightly before heading to the chopper, not once considering contacting her sisters to let them know where she'd be.

I hope it wasn't too left of field. I felt Misty wouldn't be happy with staying a Gym Leader forever, I always thought of her as ambitious, especially with her frequent fights with Ash :)