Hi all,

I'm so sorry that I've disappeared for a month, but I promise you I am making changes. I will do my very best to update more often and to get on top of writing too :) Thank you all so much for your support in your continued reading of this, you're all amazing! :D

Chapter 42

Eating waffles for lunch, May glanced up at Daisy and Brendan, both seeming distracted at the café they'd stumbled into.

'May, what in the name of sweet Arceus are you doing?' A loud voice yelled, surprising May by the sheer ferocity of the anger.

Seeing none other than Iris and Cilan, May poked her fingers together anxiously, knowing she'd been caught red handed, ditching Dawn.

'Well? You're missing Dawn's big debut! You can't tell me that it's just Drew—I saw that conversation you were having with the Champions. What's the deal?' Iris scowled, tapping an impatient foot on the floor.

She hesitated once before seeing Daisy nod her head, 'you can't tell anyone. Not under any circumstances, ok?'

Hearing this, Iris blinked in disbelief. May rarely pulled lines like this, so it must have been serious.

'Is it that bad?' She frowned as Cilan ushered her into a seat, muttering, 'this sounds like it could take a while, like baking a good cake. The flavours should be just right and might take a bit of time to come out and be fully appreciated.'

'Remember, you can't tell anyone,' May reiterated, seeing the duo nod in unison.

With a heavy sigh, May began, 'remember how Steven really helped me out when dad was sick? He had me going everywhere for errands and stuff, fighting Team Aqua and Magma?'

'Yeah, I remember thinking you were crazy for doing it too. Alder never pulled anything like that on me or the Striathon brothers, nor did Lance do that to Misty,' Iris nodded her head slowly as Daisy and Cilan leaned forward, unaware of May's history with Steven.

'Well, he set me up. It was one of the reasons why our relationship would never have lasted,' May grimaced as she eyed the other patrons in the café.

'Go on,' Cilan frowned, leaning forward with intense interest.

'I was battling other Gym Leaders to show him I would make a worthwile Gym Leader. I didn't see what was happening, but each Leader would send him the badge I'd earned,' May grimaced as Brendan began playing with the straw in his lemonade.

'Then what happened?' Iris whispered, her maroon eyes wide.

'He made me battle him… and I won,' May grimaced into her plate, not seeing the blood drain from Iris' face, nor Cilan's uncharacteristic gape.

'You did what?' Iris squealed, her pitch so high it could almost shatter glass.

'Quiet, will you! It's not something I want broadcast! Cynthia hates me for a reason, and it's not just because Steven and I shared a bed. Well, no, that probably has something to do with it too, but still!' May scowled at the woman, her face flushing as she sent the patrons apologetic glances.

'Well why weren't you ordained?' Iris frowned at her brunette friend, her jealousy evident in her impatience.

'Because I refused to accept it. I've never wanted to be a Champion, just a Top Coordinator. It's like making Cilan Champion, or Brendan a Top Coordinator. They're not interested in that, so why would you force them to accept both titles?' May responded with a sheepish glance at her companions.

'I see, so you feel like a cake that's been baked with salt instead of egg. I understand, the aroma will just not be there,' Cilan mused as he placed a tentative hand on her own.

'There's something more,' May said, her eyes glancing at Daisy, who nodded.

'What is it?' Iris frowned, her eyes narrowing at May's obvious hesitance.

'Again, you have to promise not to tell anyone. This doesn't just affect me, but it affects my whole family,' May said as Brendan squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

'May, what's so important?' Iris frowned as she hid her hands under the table, hoping the brunette didn't notice how much they were shaking.

Not noticing her friend's concern, May continued, 'I understand if you don't believe me, I don't think I believe it myself, or if you judge me and don't think of me the same way. I mean, I'm still the same person, and nothing really has changed, but I've just—'

'May, you're rambling,' Brendan muttered into her ear, making her shake her head.

'You're right, sorry,' May mumbled as she once again glanced at Daisy.

'May, are you trying to tell me that you're in a relationship with Daisy? I mean, I know that Drew being in hospital stresses you, and it might finally have given you the awakening you need, but we're not going to laugh at you about it, nor will we reject you,' Iris frowned, causing Brendan to chortle, trying to smother his mouth with his hands.

'What? No, I'm not a lesbian, not that there's anything wrong with that,' May gasped as her face flushed.

'I'm a lesbian,' Daisy shrugged, appearing completely at ease with the admission.

'You are? Does Gary know?' May blinked at her cousin, her mind processing the statement at a sluggish pace.

'No, he doesn't know, and I'd rather he doesn't know until he's matured a little. Leaf knows, but other than that, not many people do. Who I am interested in has nothing to do with others, unless I'm interested in them. Besides, Gary is a big boy, he'll understand,' Daisy shrugged as she watched May's actions closely.

'Well thank you for trusting me with this, it means a lot to me,' May smiled at her cousin before pulling her into a hug.

'No worries, what are cousins for?' Daisy grinned back, returning the hug.

'Wait, what? Did she just say you're cousins?' Iris yelped as Cilan blinked at the admission.

'Oh, yeah, that was what I was trying to tell you before we got a little side tracked. You see, I'm actually a granddaughter of Professor Oak, though I only just found out,' May mumbled, poking her fingers together slightly, glancing at her companions uncertainly.

'And we'd judge you about this why?' Cilan frowned at her in a neutral tone.

'I don't know, I just feel that everyone judges me. First for staying to look after my father's duties, then for not wanting to leave Hoenn, and now for wanting to spend time with my cousins. Do you know how many times people think I'm seeing Gary? It's incest! That's disgusting, and illegal!' May ranted, glowering at each of her companions for effect.

'You do realise that not one of those people are in this room, right?' Brendan chided drily, watching May poke her tongue out at him in a childish retort.

'Now that we've established that May is the least mature Oak to ever set foot on Kalos,' Iris chuckled, winking as her friend pouted.

'So why haven't you told anyone about this? Is it that bad?' Cilan frowned at the young woman who he'd only just been acquainted to.

'Well, Professor Oak is an internationally reknowned and respected researcher, Gary is known for his battling prowess, as well as his own research. Daisy is an aspiring Top Coordinator like me, my father is the Gym Leader of Petalburg and then you have Max, one of the newest Top Rangers. I think we're just avoiding the storm that's going to come,' May shrugged as Daisy frowned at the news.

'I've yet to meet Max, what's he like?' The Kanto woman frowned, playing with a loose strand of hair.

With a smile, May responded, 'he's got brains, and guts. You'd totally see how he and Gary are related when you meet him. He can recite pokédex entries and lecture me about all kinds of type advantages. I learnt a lot from him, which you don't get too often with a younger sibling. Now he goes on insanely dangerous missions, but he's happy, and that's enough for me.'

'Sounds like you and I had a very similar relationship with the younger siblings,' Daisy giggled, causing May to laugh as well.

'I've always wanted a younger brother,' Iris pouted, not noticing the disbelieving stares from the others.

'What?' She scowled upon noticing Cilan's disbelieving headshake.

'Younger brothers are a pain! You have to look after them, make sure they're not hurt. Far out, what I wouldn't give to have Orlando be the older one sometimes!' Brendan glowered into his drink.

With a grin, May teased, 'but you wouldn't have him any other way, like I wouldn't change Maxie-waxie, or Daisy wouldn't change Gareth!'

'Gareth?' Daisy blinked at her cousin.

'I wouldn't change anything about Chili or Cres, either. They're my younger brothers by a smaller margin than yours, but we've all been created by the recipe of life, cooking us into the people we are now. We've got three very different flavours, but we compliment each other perfectly,' Cilan mused as Brendan blinked at him.

'Is he always like this?' The Hoenn man scowled at the Unovan woman.

'Unfortunately. Normally he's worse, though,' Iris sighed as she hid her head in her arms on the table.

'All this talk about food makes me even more hungry,' May grimaced as her stomach growled hungrily.

'Wow, no kidding,' Daisy chuckled as May's face flushed.

'Well, Cilan should be able to help you with that,' Iris grinned as she nudged her fellow Unovan in the ribs.

'I'd really prefer not to impose,' May blushed as Daisy's Xtransceiver rang.

'Hello brother, dearest,' Daisy mused as she answered the phone.

Hearing the angered voice of Gary Oak, Daisy surprised the others by laughing amiably, 'I love you too. Don't worry, I'm fine. I can put Brendan or May on the phone, if you prefer?'

Gary said something else to which Daisy mockingly retorted, 'how touching, he does care after all! If only I had a recording of that—oh wait, I do!'

'Don't worry, we'll be back at the hotel by midnight,' Daisy teased before hanging up, laughing at Cilan's anxious expression.

'Don't worry so much, it's bad for your skin,' the Kanto woman giggled, winking at May's small smile.

'You're not actually planning on being out that late, are you?' Iris frowned at the two women.

'Of course not, but he doesn't need to know that. Younger brothers, you can have all the revenge on them by pulling these pranks,' Daisy winked as May's Xtransceiver rang.

'I hear you Daisy!' Brendan chuckled as he high-fived her over May's head.

Immediately, the younger brunette opened the device, not at all perturbed by her companion's behaviour.

'If it's Gary, don't answer,' Daisy chuckled as she picked up her oran berry juice.

'It's Brock,' May whispered before answering the call. In a strangled voice, she whispered, 'Brock?'

'May, I'm not calling with good news. Wallace told me to make all direct contact with you first, so here it is. We've changed his medication but there's no improvement in the vital signs to his legs. At the rate we're looking at, he'll be paralysed,' Brock's voice spoke into her ear, the slightest hint of remorse evident.

'Oh Arceus, Brock, don't tell me that! Isn't there anything you can do? There has to be something!' May whispered as her hands shook, almost dropping the device as Brendan took it from her, continuing whatever conversation Brock had to have. She felt her vision blur as Daisy wrapped her arms tightly around her.

'May?' Iris whispered as the brunette's shoulders shook.

'I want him back, I want him better I don't want this to go on!' May sobbed as two pokéballs shook at her belt, releasing Blaziken and Roserade. The brunette didn't notice, though, he breath catching in her throat, causing her to choke up.

'Blaze!' Blaziken called, though May was too distraught to hear her friend's voice.

'Roserade,' the grass and poison type said before releasing a powerful pink dust on the group, an aromatherapy attack.

Breathing in the relaxing fumes, May felt herself return to a semblance of self-control before glancing at the two pokémon. With a soft sob, she muttered, 'he could be paralysed.'

'Oh no, May!' Iris gasped as Brendan hung up, watching May with evident disgust.

'What am I going to do? He's always pushed me on, and he's always been there, since before my first contest. I can't just imagine the coordinating world without him, I'd rather not do it anymore,' May questioned as her eyes once again began to tear up.

'You could do it for both of you?' Cilan offered as Daisy grimaced uncertainly.

'Are you kidding me?' Brendan scoffed angrily, surprising the others by the sheer disgust in his tone.

'What?' Iris glowered, her voice filled with a dangerous edge that the man ignored.

'May, are you fucking joking? You're going to just pack your dream in because Drew from LaRousse isn't going to be able to walk? Don't you realise that HE needs you now? He's spent so long urging you on, giving you pointers and helping you out. Yes, he wasn't there when you were stuck in Hoenn, but he didn't know and you didn't have the guts to contact him! He probably thought you hated him or something, I don't know. But he's back, I've seen the way he looks at you, and he would have probably gone through all of that again if it meant you could save those pokémon! Fuck, I hate his guts but I don't think you should start panicking now,' Brendan snarled at the woman, glaring at May with an anger she'd learnt to fear from a young age.

'But—' she began in a hesitant voice as the two pokémon stared at him in disbelief.

'No buts! He needs you, his pokémon need you—yes, all of them. I know you're feeling helpless, but you can help him through this. Wait for him to wake up after you're back in Almia, because I know he'll wake up. Yes, I know he's got Solidad, but come off it! He's your main rival, as you were his, she's your mentor, as she was his. She can't mentor him through this, but you can be there for him when he wakes up and give him the same inspiration you both gave each other. The only thing that might have changed is his body, and we all know that any obstacle is there to be overcome. Now, get into that contest tomorrow and give it your all, not just for you, but for him. Live the dreams for both of you and give any who say that you both can't do it the judgment of Arceus himself! Do I need to continue?' Brendan yelled, ignoring the stunned gasps of the other patrons in the café.

'Wow, you tell her, mister!' Iris chuckled nervously into the silence as Cilan sent the others apologetic glances.

'Wow, Brendan, that was quite emotional,' Daisy whispered as May stared at her childhood friend in disbelief.

'Does that mean you've forgiven me for not telling you my secrets?' May whispered as Roserade gave the man an appreciative smile.

'There was nothing to forgive, we were both just too clueless not to see it,' Brendan chuckled before pulling her into a hug, kissing the top of her head affectionately.

'I love you, Brendan! You're the best friend I could ever have asked for,' May choked as she wrapped her arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder.

'Please, you love all of your close mates as much as you love me,' Brendan scoffed, failing to suppress the blush which filled his cheeks.

'But none of them know me as well as you do, diaper buddy!' May teased before kissing his cheek affectionately.

'Don't think that will make me go easy on you in the contest, May,' Daisy mused, causing May to giggle.

'You think I'd want you to go easy on me? We're rivals as well as cousins, but I've got to fight for two people!' May grinned back, though there were still tears forming in her eyes.

'I wouldn't have it any other way,' Daisy mused with a small smile.

'Will you dedicate your attendance in the tournament to him?' Cilan questioned, surprising May with the idea.

'I don't know, would that be allowed?' May muttered shyly, not sure if she wanted everyone to guess how deep her affections for the chartreuse haired man were.

'You should. He's your rival, he was hurt whilst you were there, and you have one of his pokémon. That in itself isn't normal for rivals. It's clear to me that you both have a very deep and profound relationship and others should be respectful of that,' Daisy smiled as she glanced at Cilan for support.

'She's right, Ash wouldn't have given access to his pokémon to any of his rivals, not even Stephan. You and Roserade look very close, if I didn't know better, I'd have thought he was your pokémon,' Cilan responded with a small smile.

'I suppose, though Roserade and I always kind of got along; right, Roserade?' May glanced at the grass type who chirped his name with an eager smile.

'Blaze,' Blaziken winked in agreement.

'I just hope he forgives me for taking you away from him for so long, Roserade,' May grimaced as she petted the two pokémon, turning in her seat to do so.

'I'm sure he'll forgive you. I mean, you'd forgive him, wouldn't you?' Iris soothed, sending an anxious glance at Brendan, who shrugged uncertainly.

'I know, but Drew can be unreasonably hostile about the strangest things,' May grimaced slightly, not sure of how to explain it.

'There won't be any need for you to worry, because he won't be angry. You're looking after one of his pokémon, reassuring it when he can't. I can tell you two care deeply for each other, and that comes from a strong relationship with the pokémon's Trainer,' Cilan said, his green eyes sparkling as he began to raise his hand.

Grabbing it in her own, Iris snarled, 'no! We are not doing any pokémon evaluations in Kalos! You promised me, Cilan!'

The man pouted in response, but dropped his hand as May began to smile at them. Their interactions, whilst innocent, did include a certain romance to it that would have had Misty swooning.

'I think you should dedicate your contest appearance to Drew. I think it would be a sweet idea,' Daisy smiled at her cousin, returning to the matter at hand.

'B-but I wouldn't know what to say, or where to begin,' May grimaces as she turned her sapphire eyes onto her cousin.

'Then we'll ask the king of Contests himself—Wallace. I'm sure he'd be delighted to offer you his assistance,' Daisy winked at the brunette.

'But what about the thing we talked about at Dawn's boutique,' May grimaced, her expression becoming gloomy.

'Nonsense; that was him in his official capacity. He was representing Steven—or yourself, I'm not too sure—and I know he'd love to offer you his advice for Contests. After all, he helped Lissia, didn't he?' Daisy beamed at the Hoenn woman.

'I agree, when you can ask the experts, do so,' Iris winked at the older woman.

'Alright, but you all have to stay and watch me throughout the contest,' May whimpered in defeat.

'As if we wouldn't watch you struggling on the big stage!' Brendan chortled, ignoring Cilan's fervent shake of the head.

'Brendan Birch, you will be sorry you ever said that! I will so show you who is the best out there in that contest!' May scowled at the man as Iris frowned thoughtfully at their interaction.

'Really? You can't do it, not without Drew,' Brendan laughed, knowing exactly which buttons to push.

Roserade and Blaziken gazed from May to Brendan before smirking as Brendan arched an eyebrow at her.

'Just you watch, I'll get that ribbon!' May snarled before stalking away from the man, out of the café, the two pokémon following her.

'Did you have to be so harsh?' Iris frowned at the man as she stood up to follow her friend.

'I didn't have to be, but then she won't be fighting nearly half as hard to get what she wants. May fights best when she's backed in a corner, like Ash does. If you tell them they'll be fine, they'll become complacent. Drew knew that as well as I do, it's why he was such a good rival for May. He knew when to push her and when to support her. If I didn't do this, she'd make mistakes, and let herself and Drew down. I'm her best friend, she's in my earliest memories. Trust me, I know her better than you think,' Brendan shrugged at the woman before she stormed out of the room to find May and take her to Wallace for advice.