Time for chapter 2 of 'Chasing May'! We're gonna find out what Dawn's plan is, then possibly a timeskip to May's next Contest or a little after it, so let's roll it!


May had just left on her way back to Johto. Her next contest is actually along the Whirl Islands in Inland City on Blue Point Isle. With 3 ribbons under her belt already from Cherrygrove City, Azalea Town and Violet City, she stands just 2 away from the Johto Grand Festival...and seeing Ash again. But she would never admit to having a crush on the raven-haired trainer from Pallet Town, yet almost did before getting on the boat to Johto.

Speaking of Ash, he was still sprawled out on a bench near Seven Stars Restaurant, looking up at the sky and thinking about what might've been had he just told May he loved her. Meanwhile, a few feet away, Dawn and Zoey have hatched a plan to get Ash and May together.


"Zoey, I've got an idea. But I'm gonna need your help for this one..."

"Whatever it is, Dawn, I'm in! Even I know love when I see it and Ash here is in love without a doubt."

Dawn smiled and placed a hand on Zoey's right shoulder. "So here's the plan. First step is to build Ash's confidence through the rest of his Sinnoh Gym Battles..."

"Shouldn't be too hard. Ash is always brimming with confidence when he battles. But I don't see how that'll help him with May."

"Simple, Zoey. If Ash has the same confidence with May that he does in his battles, it'll be much easier for him to ask her out," Dawn explained.

Zoey gave a nod. "Okay, what's next?"

"Next up...we both gotta get our 5 ribbons. Where's the next contest?"

Zoey quickly checked her Poketch for the next contests on the schedule "Next one is in Celestic Town, then there's one in Majolica Town, Gerbera Town, Emeragrove Town, Beach Rose Town, Chocovine Town, Snowpoint City, Sandalstraw Town, Lilypad Town, Brussel Town, Daybreak Town, Neighborly Town and Arrowroot Town with our Grand Festival back here along Valor Lakefront. There are other contests on the schedule, but the locations are not known yet. As for May's Johto Ribbons - I would know them anywhere: Those were Cherrygrove City, Violet City and Azalea Town. Next contest on the Johto docket is Inland City on Blue Point Isle on the Whirl Islands. Then Ogi City on Yellow Rock Isle, Transit Town on Red Rock Isle, Kasado City on Silver Rock Isle followed by Bonitaville, Maroon Town, Marion Town, Olivine City, Mahogany Town, Blackthorn City, Rikishii Town, Whitestone and Altomare with the Grand Festival taking place along Lake of Rage. Just like Sinnoh, there's other contests on the schedule for Johto, but locations unknown right now."


"You think we can get our 5th ribbons before May can?" Dawn asked her Coordinator rival.

"Let's see...I won in Sandgem Town, Jubilife City, Oreburgh City and Eterna City, so I need 1 more ribbon. You need 3 more and you're favored now in Celestic, Majolica and Chocovine."

"Ash is going for his 4th Sinnoh Badge soon. The way he is right now, he's gonna need all the support he can get to pull him out of this abyss he's put himself in."

Zoey smiled, knowing what Dawn was hinting at. "Sounds like you could use reinforcements. Well, you can count me in!"

Now with Zoey in the group, the plan can be put into motion. "Awesome! As soon as we both have our 5 ribbons, we'll get in touch with May!"


Speaking of May...2 days after the Wallace Cup, she was in Inland City on Blue Point Isle for her next Pokemon Contest. She was in a room in the Inland City Pokemon Center, face down on her bed with 'Zoey 101' playing in the background. The door to her room was locked and she wasn't allowing anyone in - not even Solidad, someone who she considered a big sister to her during her Johto travels.

"Man, why am I such an idiot? I had the perfect chance to tell Ash I loved him and I blew it!" May said to herself as Blaziken let herself out of her Pokeball.

"Blaziken, Blaze?" (What's wrong, May?)

"You ever loved someone so much that you feel empty inside when they're not with you?" May asked her trusty Fire Pokemon.

"Blaziken, Blaze Blaze. Blaziken Bla-Blaziken Blaze" (No, can't say I have. I know Glaceon's been that way about Ash's Pikachu, however.)

"What is this I'm feeling? I think about Ash and all of a sudden, I get all flustered..."

"Blaze, Blaziken Blaze Blaze" (May...you're in love with Ash.)

"Okay...you're the 2nd of my Pokemon to tell me I'm in love with Ash," May said, her mascara now running as she got up from her bed. "First Glaceon, now you. What's next? Drew, Harley and Solidad all say the same thing?" she asked as she unlocked the door, only to be greeted by her rivals.


"Oh sweet May! I heard the news! Are you and Ketchum finally together?" Harley asked.

"I always knew you two would end up together!" Drew added in.

"How'd it happen?" Solidad questioned.


"CAN IT, YOU THREE!" May barked. "It hasn't happened yet. I had the perfect chance to tell him I loved him just before I left Sinnoh and I blew it. I love him more than anything and I just want my Ash back..." she cried, falling into Solidad's arms.

"May...May...it's okay..." Solidad said calmly.

"No it's not! I fear I may have lost him forever!"

"May, listen...it's not forever. You know why?"

"Why's that?" May sobbed.

"Take a look around your neck..." the redhead said, referring to May's half of the Terracotta ribbon. "That half-ribbon you wear around your neck is a reminder that Ash is always with you no matter how far apart you are from each other. More than that - it's a promise..."

"A promise?" May asked.

Solidad nodded. "A promise, May. A promise that Ash will always come back for you no matter what. His love for you and your love for him is what keeps the both of you strong. Ash wouldn't bear to see you like this. You've already admitted that you love Ash...all that's left now is for Ash to admit he loves you. And I think I know how we can do just that..."

"Really?"

"Just leave it to me, May!"


"Why does she always go to her?" Harley asked.

"She thinks of Solidad as an older sister, much like Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus are to each other," Drew explained. "Not surprised May would go to Solidad for her girl issues. But trying to hook the densest man on the face of the Earth...easier said than done. Just wish we knew a way to break May out of this funk she's been in the past few days..."

"Seems to me the only way to get her back is to get her boytoy over here, but that's impossible now...Ketchum's over in Sinnoh and we all know he's not putting the brakes on his journey until he reaches the Sinnoh League."

"Good point. Plus, Ash and I don't see eye to eye..."

"What are you gonna do, Drew?"

"I'll let you know as soon as I think of something."


Now Solidad is plotting something for May? And what be the dealings of Drew and Harley? Find out next time! TRAIN ON, EVERYONE!