Hi all,
I'm so, so sorry for how late this is. I've had a bunch of things come up that couldn't be avoided. I won't go into details because it'll sound like I want sympathy.
Here's the latest update, sorry it took so long.
Chapter 43Standing in the changing rooms of the specially made stadium within Lumiose City, May took a look at herself in the mirror. On either side of her were Dawn and Zoey, both fussing over the clothes Dawn had hurriedly made for her.
'Is this bringing back memories for anyone?' May mused to her friends, who chuckled in response.
'Good memories, that's for sure,' Zoey grinned from the makeup pallet.
It didn't help May that she was considering Drew's absence at the Contest. The last time, the man had refused to leave the region on a whim, telling her that he, Harley and Solidad were going to battle it out at a Contest in Blackthorn City. This time, he was absent through a foolish mistake.
'Stop stressing, you look gorgeous,' Dawn chided as her eyes fell on May's high-necked, soft pink dress. She wore black lace gloves, boots and a black lace-covered bandana in her hair, folded to create a headband.
'I just wish I wasn't so nervous,' May whispered as she placed her hands in her lap to stop them from shaking.
'May, you'll be fine. Focus on the person you're doing this for, and know that there are people all over this world who are rooting for you,' Daisy smiled as she came out of a hidden corner, Serena having helped her with her own clothing.
Seeing the vibrant colour in her cousin's cheek, May knew that Serena's makeup skills could be thanked for the healthy glow in her cousin.
'I suppose you're right, though it still scares me,' May whispered as another person came into the room.
'Wally?' May blinked at the man, who flushed at the sight of the many women's eyes on him.
'May, I just thought I'd come here to say that Drew would want you to do well. I know that I'm in no position to say this to you, especially since I've never seen one of your contests first hand, but I know he'd want you to give it your all,' Wally muttered, his cheeks flushing.
Overcome with emotion at the chartreuse haired man's awkward comfort, May got out of her chair and walked towards the man, pulling him into a tight embrace.
'Wally, thank you so much for your kind words. You've always known what to say to me,' May whispered before she kissed his cheek softly.
The man flushed before saying, 'I know that Drew and I have similar features, so I thought it was best that I tell you this myself. He'd want you to do your best, for the both of you. Roserade chose you for a reason.'
Hearing this, May smiled at the man, not at all wondering how he knew she had Drew's Roserade in her company.
'Thanks Wally,' May whispered again as she felt her eyes brim with tears.
'I'd better go, or else you'll ruin your make up. Just remember none of this was your fault,' Wally mumbled before rushing out of the room, undoubtedly to find Orlando, Brendan and the others.
'Who do you think Gary will be rooting for?' Daisy mused as she leaned on May's shoulder.
'He'd better be supporting me in this!' May grinned, nudging her back.
'Bitch, please! I have the same blood as him!' Daisy retorted with mock anger.
'Oh really? You have the power of the blood, do you?' May mocked slightly before giggling as she pulled her cousin in a hug.
'We all know that I have the power!' Daisy chuckled with a wink before Dawn and Zoey started packing up their things.
'May, remember to focus. Don't get distracted by anything, ok?' Dawn smiled at her friend before kissing her cheek, and then Daisy's and leaving the room.
'Both of you give it your all. I'm not going to pick any sides, just do your best. Knock them dead with your speech, May,' Zoey winked before again leaving the room.
With a nervous glance at her cousin, May couldn't help but feel her heart pounding in her chest, her limbs feeling light with anticipation.
One after the other of her opponents were called to the stage, giving various displays for the judges above. Daisy had left a little while before, and May was really starting to feel anxious. Because of the nature of her contest appeal, Wallace had advised her she should go last, and she was regretting her choice. How would she compare against all the other contestants?
Hearing her name be called out, May took her two pokéballs from her belt and walked forward. She knew that Raoul Contesta, Mr Sukizo, Nurse Joy and Wallace would be waiting for her.
Walking out onto the shiny yellow battlefield, May waved her arms in the air as she walked towards the centre, where Adrian stoode with a microphone.
Hearing the confused murmurs of the crowd, May felt her cheeks flush slightly.
'Go May!' She heard the unmistakable roar of Orlando, followed by similar cheers from her other friends and family in the stands.
With a shy smile, she let out a chuckle into the microphone, startled by how her voice was amplified across the whole stage.
'I'm sure you must all be wondering what I'm doing here, talking instead of actually giving the appeal I planned. Well, I'm not too sure what to tell you, but I promise that I will be showing you an appeal shortly,' May began, her voice filled with uncertainty as she watched the many people in the stands watching her. With a shaky voice, she continued, 'you see, very recently I was reacquainted with an old friend, a close friend, someone who was always there for me. He not only encouraged me, but showed me affection in a completely unique way, and he was never afraid to chastise me or challenge me. I suppose we had a relationship where I always thought he'd be there, and now I'm faced with a reality that he might not be. And that scares me, so much more than I can say.'
With a light laugh, she continued, blinking back tears, 'you see, we had an adventure with some of my closest friends, over in Almia. I can't believe it, and it was stupid, dangerous and utterly reckless. I thought that he'd be ok, despite being down to his last pokémon. I wasn't there for him, like he'd always been for me, and I hate myself for it, because it left him in this state where he can't even wake up.
'The reason why I'm telling you all of this isn't so you can pity me, but it's so he can hear this, and so he might just understand why I had to take one of his best friends away, even if it was only for a brief moment. Drew, please just wake up, I don't care if you can't use your legs, or if you hate me. I'll help you walk like you've helped me learn the ropes of contests, I'll support you like you've always helped me. I'm sorry I left you the first time, and I can't believe I left you a second, even if I gave you some of my pokémon so they could look after you in my place. I promise that I'll never do it again. Please, just wake up. I need you, so do Roserade, Masqueraine, Absol, Butterfree, Flygon, Feebas and Zorua. I know it probably means nothing to you, but I dedicate this contest, and my part in it, to you. You who've helped me not just through Hoenn, but through Johto to Kanto back to Hoenn and now even in Almia. Please just wake up.'
Hearing the deafening silence as she handed the microphone back to Adrian, May took a moment to recollect herself, not hearing people beginning to whisper in the stands.
Returning to the box at the edge of the stage, May lifted two pokéballs above her head. Twirling on the spot, she called, 'Elgyem and Riolu, take the stage!'
In a shower of roses, another nod to Drew thanks to the custom pokéball seals she'd had Dawn help her create, May's two pokémon posed in the centre of the stage.
'Elgyem, use psychic on Riolu and move him around the stage. Riolu, use foresight!' May called to her pokémon, her previous anxiety removed as she was once again returned to her home.
Watching Riolu focus as the eerie pink glow of Elgyem's psychic attack, May waited for the right time, knowing that Riolu had utilised the normal type move.
'Right, use hidden power!' May directed as her pokémon manoeuvred Riolu above him.
Elgyem began to emit a green light as various green orbs appeared around hi, his eyes intent upon Riolu.
'Now! Riolu, bone rush!' May yelled, raising a hand above her head, a signal to Elgyem to release the balls to his partner.
Snapping his eyes open, Riolu created a glowing blue bone before his face, swinging it expertly to shatter the green into light sparkles around the two.
'Come on, work,' May whispered as the green orbs shattered into numerous pieces, Elgyem throwing one after the other at the tiny fighting type.
'End it!' She yelled, knowing that her pokémon would know what to do.
Instantly, Elgyem floated beside Riolu, posing confidently above the pattern created by their dust. It had all been Roserade's idea, a homage to Drew, who couldn't be there with either of them. On the ground was the pristine shape of a rose, the one thing she'd forever identify Drew with.
Blinking back tears, May rushed forward to hug her two pokémon to her, mumbling, 'you guys did it! You were awesome out there, guys!'
Hearing them cry their name in agreement, May couldn't help but laugh as slowly, one person began to clap.
Blinking back her tears, she saw Brendan standing from his seat, closely followed by Orlando and Gary. As her friends began to give her a standing ovation, so did the others in the stadium.
Letting out a light laugh, she scrubbed at her eyes as she saw Adrian gasp, 'what a beautiful display of affection with her pokémon, May has certainly pulled a trump card over the other contestants! The crowd loves it, and frankly, so do I, but will the judges?'
Clearing his throat, Raoul Contesta smiled, 'your pokémon were perfectly in sync together, utilising the whole stage to show your message. Your words were touching, indeed, but your appeal showed the sincerity of your emotions. I'd have to give May a score of nine.'
Beside him, Mr Sukizo flashed a score of eight before he stated, 'truly remarkable.'
Nurse Joy, like the previous judge, showed a mark of eight before explaining, 'whilst May's performance was quite emotionally touching, the focus was somewhat taken from her pokémon.'
Flashing a score of nine, Wallace stood up, exclaiming, 'this truly was an emotional piece for May, you could see it in her expressions, as well as those of her pokémon. There is no doubt that she has contemplated the meaning behind this appeal, and I can't wait to see what more she has to offer. I give her a nine.'
Seeing this, May returned her pokémon and bowed once before leaving the stage to see Daisy in the hallway, pulling her into a tight hug.