I'm feeling Operation: Family Reunion lately, so I've been working on that story. This one and Things Money Can't Buy are at their climax. I hope to finish them before September ends, but we'll see. Just started a new job, which makes me pretty busy. :P Enjoy!~

Chapter 36

"So what's your plan?" Norman gruffly asks. When May and Max arrived, the estranged family sat down for dinner. The meal was pretty quiet except for Caroline asking May how she's been doing as well as how Johto has been. Of course, May hasn't told them anything about why she's here. Now that the meal is done, Norman is getting to the point. He doesn't want to wake up in the morning to see May isn't home again. He doesn't want to lose his daughter for good.

The young woman shrugs as Max and Caroline watch worriedly. May and Norman are the most stubborn people in the family, but they also love each other the most. May is Norman's princess, so the older man struggles with anything that involves her growing up.

Sighing as he swallows his pride, Norman gives May a concerned look. "We can't help you if we don't know what's going on."

"Didn't he tell you?" Max had said Drew called to inform her family that she was coming. Therefore, May assumes he must've told them everything.

Norman shakes his head. "He just said you were coming here alone and for us to help you with Team Aqua."

May chuckles sadly at her empty plate. Typical Drew to care, or seem like he cares. "Why?"

"He didn't say." Norman replies.

May shakes her head. "No. Why does he care?" Although, she knows why. She knows exactly why he cares. And she knows she doesn't deserve Drew. That outburst was uncalled for. She was just looking for a reason to leave him before he could leave her. Putting her head in her hands, she lets out a loud groan. May Maple is exhausted. Too much has happened, and she's barely hanging on a thread.

"Get some rest, May." Caroline smiles warmly at her daughter. "We can talk in the morning."

"I can't." May meets her mother's concerned gaze. "Kai's been gone for too long. I need to find him."

"Wait. Is that why you're here?" Max inquires. "Where's Kai?"

Taking in a deep shaky breath, May fights her tears. When Norman's hand is on hers, she curiously looks at her stoic father. Seeing that small thin smile on his tight lips gives her courage to continue. He still loves her, regardless of their argument driving them apart years ago. "His mom took him…"

"Shelly Izumi." Norman says when he sees his wife's and son's confused looks. Norman has spent a lot of time with the lonely professor, so he's heard Professor Birch's tyraids about Brendan's son. May weakly nods, so Norman adds, "We'll help you find him, May. Just rest for tonight."

"I can't-"

"You can, and you will." Norman sternly tells the woman who reluctantly nods.

Caroline awkwardly clears her throat before standing up. "Let me show you to your room, sweetie."

"I know where it is." May replies. It's her same room she's had her whole life.

Despite May's words, Caroline still leads the younger woman out of the dining room and upstairs, leaving the men alone. Max curiously looks at his surprisingly calm father. "Dad?"

"Hm."

"Are you okay?"

The gym leader lets out a long breath. "I'm never okay when you guys aren't." He has so many questions, but Norman is more concerned about the well-being of his daughter. His fear when May left years ago was that she'd end her life too, like Brendan had. Norman can't imagine a world without his children.

After cleaning up, the rest of the Maples head to bed. Norman, though, hesitates in front of his daughter's door, like he does every night since she left. This time is different because she's actually on the other side of that door. Is she awake? Is she even still in there? Did she run away again? Does she hate him? Even though Drew says May could never hate Norman, Norman isn't so sure he should trust a stranger's words. He's never been big on Drew.

As Norman is lost in thought, the door swings open, making both people stare at each other in surprise. "Uh. Hey, May." Norman awkwardly greets her.

"Hey, dad." She does the same while avoiding eye contact.

After a few uncomfortable quiet seconds, Norman asks, "Can I come in?" May, who was on her way to the bathroom, just nods. She moves aside for her father to come in and sit at her desk while she sits on her bed.

There is even more uncomfortable silence until Norman breaks it again. "I love you, May." He isn't sure what to say, and Norman isn't usually one to get into his feelings, though he knows he should. It's been years since he last saw May. She really needs him right now. When May's glossy blue eyes meet her father's, Norman instantly feels himself tearing up.

"I love you too, dad." May has always feared her relationship with her family was unmendable, especially with her stubborn father. She had said such terrible things when she left. She really doesn't deserve his love.

Seeing her tears causes the man to quickly move to her bed and hug her. It's the first hug he's gotten from her in years, and it makes him cry into her hair. Holding her tightly for fear that she won't be here anymore, Norman whispers, "I'm so sorry, May. I've been a bad dad."

May lightly shakes her head as she cries into his chest. "No, dad. I've been the bad one. I'm sorry!" the two Maples stay in each other's embrace while their years of pent up emotions and loneliness unleash. May realizes that this is her family. No matter how much they argue and how much time goes on without communication, they all still love each other unconditionally. They will still support each other in their times of need.

After some time, Norman quietly says, "I don't want to lose you again, May. I'm ready to meet Kai." At his name, this causes the brunette to sob even more. Norman holds her tighter. "We'll find him. I promise you, May, we'll find him." Norman has heard enough stories from the Professor to know that Shelly isn't the right person for Kai. It was Brendan all along, and Brendan knew May was the best person after his passing. Moreover, Norman also knows May is the best person to raise the orphaned boy.

Once May's tears dry up, she pulls away to give her father a grateful smile, a smile he hasn't seen in years and she hasn't given in days. "Thanks, dad. I'd like that."

Norman stands up to kiss the top of May's head affectionately. "Get some rest. We'll plan tomorrow." She nods, and once he's out of the room, May uses the bathroom before going to sleep herself.

Olivine City

"Are you going back on your word, Shelly?" shouts the salmon haired woman into her pokenav.

"You should know better than to make a deal with an Aqua Admin. My last boyfriend ended up dead because he wouldn't leave me alone." Shelly smirks. "Don't make the same mistake as him."

"We had a deal!" Brianna can't believe Shelly is just leaving her like this! It's not fair, especially after Brianna informed Shelly about Kai.

Shrugging, the pinkette looks at her nails boredly. "I'm not a killer. We have mercenaries for that." She fake yawns loudly to Brianna. "I took Kai away from May. It shouldn't be that hard for you to take that man away from her too."

"You don't think I've been trying?" exclaims the angry woman. "That's why I called you for help!"

"Again, you should know better than to trust a bad guy." Shelly is very amused by this situation.

The deal was for Brianna to inform Shelly of Kai's whereabouts, and in return, Shelly was supposed to help remove May from the picture, which includes from Drew's life too. However, Shelly has been avoiding Brianna's calls until today when Shelly informed Brianna that she is long gone from Johto. While Shelly isn't sure if Brianna wants May dead, Shelly isn't a killer herself. Brianna made a deal with the wrong person for that, though Shelly isn't even helping Brianna anymore. Nevertheless, Shelly handled her own problems just fine, so Brianna should too.

"If you don't finish your part of the deal, I'm telling May about you!" Brianna threatens.

Chuckling, Shelly replies, "That's your problem, Brianna. You have no loyalties, not even to yourself. Good luck explaining how you helped take Kai away from her. Also, don't come after me unless you want a death wish."

The call ends, leaving Brianna to chuck her pokenav across the room angrily. This is not how she pictured everything would go. Now, Drew hates her, and May's hatred will only add to Drew's hatred. All Brianna wants is Drew. Is that so much to ask? Maybe if she offers to help find Kai, it'll make Drew see her in a new light? If she acts like she's repenting and regretful, she'll be able to work with him to find the boy, though that does mean she'll have to work with May too. Brianna will do anything to be by Drew's side again.

Standing up from her desk, she walks over to the pokenav on the ground. Brianna picks it up and takes in a deep nervous breath. She needs to think about her acting so that she can sound convincible. Maybe she can get Drew to come see her first and then they fly to Cianwood together? Brianna smiles mischievously as she calls her ex boyfriend.

Petalburg City

"Are we going to talk about him?" Caroline asks her daughter as the older woman sits down next to May on the couch. Since waking up, the Maples have been doing their own research trying to figure out where Kai is. Norman and Max left for Lilycove City earlier this morning to check out the Aqua base. They want May to rest more until they find out exactly where Kai is.

"What do you wanna know?" May replies without looking up from her laptop.

Shrugging as she sips her tea, Caroline answers, "What does he mean to you?"

"He's Brendan's son, mom. He means a lot to me too. Brendan left him in my care." May knowingly tells her mother. While May is slightly annoyed to be interrupted by her research, she appreciates her mother trying to learn about Kai. It shows her family is starting to accept the idea of Kai being a member of their family.

With a small smile on her lips, Caroline sets down her mug. "I was talking about Drew, sweetie."

This comment makes May's face flush as she gives her mother a shocked expression. After May manages to close her mouth again, she stutters, "Wh-what about Dr-him?"

Smiling sweetly, Caroline repeats, "What does he mean to you?"

"How is that relevant to Kai?" May tries to remain cool, but she knows her face is getting more hot as the conversation goes on. She's still very guilty about yelling at Drew and leaving him, but what's done is done. They were fine the decade they were apart, so they'll be fine spending the rest of their lives apart. However, her heart aches immensely whenever she thinks about him.

"He's the one who told us about Kai and you, May. He's always been looking out for you since you left for Johto."

"I don't wanna hear it, mom." May returns to looking at her laptop.

Sighing, Caroline rubs her daughter's back. "I don't know what happened between you two, but I know Drew has always cared about you. I knew when I met him, May. Even your father knew, which is why he's not a fan of Drew."

"Mom, we're looking for Kai right now. He has my focus." May really wants Caroline to stop asking about Drew because it's only distracting her.

"Why don't we invite Drew to Petalburg to help? I know he's still searching for Kai."

May groans as she gets up with her laptop. "No, mom. We don't need him. Kai and I were fine before him, and we'll be fine without him." Besides, letting him back into her life is the reason all of this started. It's the reason May was in the media and why the orphanage has been keeping a tight leash on her. It's the reason Brianna is involved with Shelly taking Kai. Reconnecting with Drew was a huge mistake. All signs have always pointed to them staying apart, so this is exactly how it should be.

Caroline watches in defeat while May retreats upstairs to her room. The older woman just wants what's best for her daughter. Caroline has always known about May's feelings for Drew. After Drew's phone call a couple of days ago, Caroline knows Drew still feels the same about May. The mother really hopes those two can salvage their relationship because, as much as they hate to admit it or don't see it, they have always been each other's strengths. They're going to need that as they search for Kai.

Lilycove City

"Where is Shelly?" Norman glares at the large tan man in front of him. Norman's Vigoroth is currently fighting Archie's Mega Sharpedo.

Although Archie is annoyed that Shelly has caused trouble again with another powerful trainer, Archie won't give up without a fight. It'll make him look weak if he easily gives up his colleague's locations as well as back down to someone, even if this person is a gym leader. "I don't know what you're talking about, Norman." Archie grins as Sharpedo crunches down on Vigoroth, causing the normal type Pokemon to scream out in pain.

Norman clicks his tongue and orders Vigoroth to "Use agility and slash!"" The white Pokemon quickly evades Sharpedo's next attack before landing a powerful slash attack with his large white claws. Due to Sharpedo's rough skin, Vigoroth is slightly hurt. "Tell me, and I'll let you escape."

Norman and Max managed to infiltrate the Aqua base where they battled lowly grunts to make their way deep into the base. They battled a few admins, but none of these people were Shelly. Currently, Max is fighting off more Admins while Norman ran off to Archie's office.

"I don't need your permission for anything." Archie laughs maniacally. "Surf, Sharpedo!"

"Dodge it!" Vigoroth jumps up to hang from the ceiling pipes and avoid the wave of water. When he lands, he jumps on Shapredo with a bodyslam attack, stunning the water type. "Brick break!" The attack knocks out Sharpedo, who is Archie's last Pokemon.

"Dad!" the shout makes both men turn to the entrance of the room where they spot a bluenette man and a rose haired woman running into the room.

"Vivi?" Norman curiously asks once he returns Vigoroth. What is she doing here? Only he and Max infiltrated the Aqua Base.

The woman smiles warmly at Norman. "I'm your future daughter-in-law, sir." Vivi grins, making Max blush. "I can't leave you two to fight alone." She had called Caroline after not hearing from Max the past few days. Once Caroline filled Vivi in about the situation, the young woman knew she couldn't let the Maples do anything dangerous without her. They're going to be her family some day, even if the family didn't support Kai the last time Vivi saw May. Vivi will always support this family no matter what.

Norman can't help but give his embarrassed son a proud look. While Norman has always trusted Max's sharp judgments, the older man has never been too sure about his clumsy daughter's. Seeing how much May cares for Kai, especially after barely knowing him 24 hours, shows to Norman that he and Caroline raised their children well. He should really start trusting them more, but he hates that it means they're growing up.

Sighing, Norman faces Archie slightly trembling at his desk. With the three people, who must have healthy Pokemon, approaching him, Archie is in a panic as the events of 5 years ago flood his mind. Brendan had defeated him and threatened to do more harm if Archie didn't reveal Shelly's location. That intense look in Brendan's eyes made Archie know the young man was serious. It seemed like Brendan had lost everything, so Brendan was willing to risk anything for Shelly's location.

While Norman doesn't have this same look, Archie's trauma from Brendan a few years ago makes the Admin Leader watch Norman approach him in fear. Once Norman is in front of Archie, the gym leader closes in on him. "I'm not gonna ask you again. Where's Shelly?"

Gulping, Archie tries to confidently say, "I'm not telling you."

Unfortunately for Archie, Norman detects the hint of fear in his voice. Smirking, Norman pulls out another pokeball since he already returned the tired Vigoroth. "My Slacking still has lots of energy. Make the smart choice, Archie."

Archie's eyes waver between the pokeball and Norman's angry navy eyes. Fine. Archie knows this mess is all Shelly's. He didn't order her to take the kid. She's doing this on her own, and it's once again, jeopardizing Team Aqua. Therefore, Archie is justified in revealing her location. Besides, he knows there's only one place she'd be if she wants to hide, especially if she's not at any of the bases.

Taking in a deep breath, the Aqua Leader mumbles, "Mirage Island."

Cianwood City

Drew had arrived early the next morning to the Enbar house, much to the Enbar parents' surprise. Nevertheless, everyone got down to business researching and calling up those they know. Drew has made many calls already since he knows the most people as well as people off of the island. He and the Enbars hate how they're not much help. They all know there is a low chance Kai is still on the island.

All they've done is stayed home and search the internet, but there's only so much that can be online. While the orphanage has put out a kidnapping emergency for Kai, not much information is being shared publicly about people's tips. Therefore, the Enbars and Drew find themselves aimlessly searching the same things over and over again. Shane and Drew want to explore with their Pokemon, but Pam and George are right when they say no one knows where to look.

Drew would like to search Lilycove City because he knows that's where the main Aqua Base is, though that means he'll have to see May again. He isn't sure how to face her anymore. That look of betrayal and hurt on her face are nothing he ever wants to see again. If he causes her so much distress, he doesn't deserve to be by her side anymore.

Shay has been trying to pry and figure out what happened between him and May, but Drew won't speak about her. The girl is currently taking a small break. She doesn't ever take breaks, but when she does, it doesn't mean she stops working. Walking into Shane's room where he's working on his computer, the girl sits on his bed, making him look at her curiously.

Shay only comes to his room when she has something important to discuss. "What's up, Shay?"

Sighing, the girl replies, "I hate this. I feel like we're not doing anything!"

Shane can tell Shay is barely hanging onto her emotions. She cries to him every night, and as the days go on without news about Kai, she becomes more emotionally unstable. "I know, but we'll find him. He;s my friend too." Shane tries to reassure himself of his words.

Before he can listen to more of Shay's worries, his pokenav vibrates. The boy reaches out wondering who could be messaging him. He had asked a lot of the friends he made on his journey to be on the lookout for Kai. Maybe someone found him? Spotting the name of the contact makes Shane's eyes open wide in shock: Norman Maple.

In the Enbar's backyard, Drew is on a call with the last person he wants to what from. However, she kept blowing up his pokenav with calls and texts. Her recent texts make it seem like she wants to talk about something worth picking up for. After the annoying short pleasantries, mostly from Brianna, the two are finally getting to the point of ehr call.

"Hurry up already." Drew gruffly tells her. Ever since May left, he has very little patience. He's glad the Enbars haven't spoken to him too much because he fears he may unleash his anger on them. Add on the frustrations of not knowing where Kai is, and Drew is pretty sure he's the most unstable out of everyone right now.

Brianna bites her tongue to prevent herself from getting too arrogant on him. She wants to be by his side again, so she needs to watch what she says. Sighing, the woman replies, "Shelly mentioned she was on Mirage Island before coming to Cianwood. I think she may be going back."

Although Drew wants to question Brianna's words because many people believe Mirage Island is just a myth, the excited shouting inside gets his attention. Soon, the backdoor swings open as Shay tackles him in a hug. "We found Kai!"

Drew can't help but smile slightly at the tearful girl gleefully hugging him. It makes him hang up on his ex who must have been just wasting his time so that she can get his attention, like always. "Where is he?" After a week of searching, they finally have their friend back.

"Shane says he's on Mirage Island! It is real!" Shay's excited green eyes meet Drew's shocked ones. So Brianna wasn't lying? After a couple of seconds of Drew standing in a daze, Shay ightly shakes his arm. "Drew?"

Breaking himself out of his trance, Drew takes in a deep breath. The last time he was in Hoenn was when he visited her family after they traveled around Kanto together. Looking down at Shay's concerned gaze, Drew offers her small smile. "Wanna go to Mirage Island, Shay?"

I'm honestly improvising now lol. Didn't plan for this ultimate showdown on Mirage Island when I started the story, but here we go. It makes it more interesting, and it gets me including the Pokemon into the story more. See ya in the next chapter!~