I do not own Pokemon. Word of Warning: Mainly DrewxMay

Epilogue

"Bye guys!" Misty waved

"Good luck May and Drew." Ash called out.

"Pika Pika" (See you around)

"Togechicu" (See ya!)

Ashley tried to mimic her parents' goodbyes to their friends but only came out as gibberish.

It had been two months since the truth had finally gotten out. Ash had gotten permission from the Pokemon League to build his own gym in Pallet. Tetsuya had come over to have the rematch (Ash won). Team Rocket had escaped from the Mirage Kingdom, but hadn't shown themselves. They were last seen looking for Ash and Co. somewhere in Fortree City. Misty, of course was staying with Ash to help him with the gym and Ashley. Gary had gone back to work in a lab about a month ago. Now it was time for May, Max, Brock, and Drew (who had joined them), to leave.

When the new quartet left Pallet,

"So Drew," May asked, "What were you and Gary talking about two months ago?"

"Oh just stuff" Drew answered before thinking about it.

Flashback

"Excuse me." Gary said as he dragged Drew off.

When they were away from the group,

"I see you're either hiding something or jealous of May." Gary told the younger coordinator.

"What are you talking about?"

"I used to treat Ash the same way back when we were training. The truth was that I was jealous. He had such good friends while I only had my cheerleaders who came and went depending on how many battles I won. Brock and Misty stayed by his side no matter what."

"Really?"

"Yeah. So are you jealous or hiding something?"

"A little bit of both. I think I might have developed a small crush on her. I'm also jealous because she has Brock and Ash." Drew admitted.

"Well, you don't have to worry about either of them if you think that they will keep May away. Ash has always had a crush on Misty. In fact there is a bet going on about when they will get together. As for Brock, well, I don't know him too well. But from what I've seen and heard from Ash, he's not interested in girls like May. Is that part of the problem?"

"A little. I'm also jealous on how such good friends they are."

"I felt the same way after I met them. I used to be Ash's best friend back before we both had the ambition to become Pokemon Masters. Then we drifted apart. After I met Brock and Misty, I felt that Ash had found replacements for me. After the incident at the Viridian Gym, I realized that I was being stupid. No one could replace what we had. We used to be mistaken for brothers. I eventually went back to being Ash's friend. We're not as close, but it's only been a year and a half. We were apart for six years. These things take time."

"So you're saying to have a friendly rivalry?"

"Yes. Friendly rivalries are more fun than serious. You can brag all you want, but not put anyone down."

"That could work. What WAS the Viridian Gym Incident?"

"I saw this really rare pokemon that nobody could beat. I fainted. When I woke up, Ash was the only one tending to me while Misty and Girl-Crazy Brock was tending to the girls."

"Oh. Do you know what Pokemon it was?"

"No. But I have a feeling Ash does. He won't talk about it though. Believe me.

Flashback within a Flashback: (A/N: Who has those):

"Hey Ash!"

"Hey Gary." Ash said into the vid-phone, "How are things going?"

"Great. Grandpa and Tracey came by the lab. Grandpa mentioned you and I thought I'd find you and give you a call. Who'd have known that Misty would know where you were?"

Ash laughed a fake laugh but Gary said nothing of it.

"So what did that Grandfather of yours say?"

"That you on a badge collecting spree."

"Yep. I have four badges right now."

"Already? Wow. How has your battle strategies been?"

"They've been good. I've had to alter them a bit from time to time, but they work."

"Remember that time when you got the Earth Badge from Team Rocket?"

"Oh yeah. It must have been their boss who runs the gym. I can't imagine anyone putting THOSE three in charge of anyplace."

"Do you have any idea what that Pokemon I saw might have been? You know, since you're around new pokemon all the time."

"No." Ash said a little too quickly. "I have no clue what so ever."

"Alright. Well, I have to get back to work."

"Ok. Great talking to you."

"Same here."

End Flashback within Flashback.

"Wow" Drew said after Gary told him about that talk "Do you think Ash will ever tell?"

"He might. It seems he was sworn to secrecy or something. But anyways, do you see what I was talking about?"

"Yeah. Be nice to May and she might like me back."

"Right. Now let's go see what Ash's excuse for ditching the Hoenn League is."

End Flashback

"Drew? DREW!"

"Huh?"

"You spaced out on us." May exclaimed.

"Oh sorry." Drew apologized. "And while I'm apologizing, I'm sorry May."

"For what?"

"For the way I acted when we met. I was a jerk to you"

Brock, giving a knowing look, turned to Max.

"C'mon Max, let's set up for lunch."

"Alright I'm hungry."

'So that's what Gary told him' Brock thought to himself

"It's ok Drew" May told him. "I wasn't exactly the best of friend towards you myself."

"So, do you want to have a friendly rivalry?"

"What's that?"

"We can brag all we want. We just can't put the other down."

"Sounds good to me."

And they shook on it.

'One step closer.'

'He is kind of cute when he smiles like that'

"Ok you two. Sandwiches for everyone." Brock announced.

THE END