Chapter 12: A Flame Relit

Finally, the chapter I've been waiting for so long to write! Alright, you've waited patiently, and I will not disappoint. In this chapter, I begin really getting into the Advanceshipping stuff (or, more accurately, the complete dissolution of the Contestshipping and Pearlshipping subplots). Here's chapter 12! Enjoy!

Once everybody went inside the Pokémon center, they all entrusted their Pokémon to Nurse Joy, then sat down in the waiting area. After a long round of hugs, greetings, and how-are-you's, it was time to explain why they were all gathered here in Kanto.

Ash began his story. He explained to Max, May and Drew everything that had happened in the Sinnoh region, including the reunion with Brock and chance meeting with Dawn, then explained all their journeys, gym battles, and contests. Every now and then, Brock and Dawn jumped in to give their take on the story. May was enthralled by the tale, and could see how Ash had matured since she saw him last. However, every time Dawn spoke, May noticed there was something peculiar about how Drew was eyeing her. Ash concluded his story by explaining everything that happened between leaving Veilstone City and making the dramatic prison rescue on an improvised plan.

Max took his turn now. Except for Dawn (who really didn't know him), everybody was very pleased to see the ten year-old again. As he started his own tale, Max described how his journey began. He lamented he didn't have his two Pokémon to show, but described how he got them nonetheless. He had been in Rustboro City when several mysterious figures arrived and forced him to leave town earlier than expected. No sooner was he out of town when he was nabbed in a nighttime raid, and found himself en route to Viridian. He finished by describing his visits with Giovanni and his release from prison.

May and Drew were the last to speak. Originally, they'd been traveling alone and fighting in the contests in Johto. May was tearful as she recalled the journey between Violet City and Azalea Town. There, she'd lost to Drew, but he escorted her through Ilex Forest. Drew then explained the whole fiasco in Goldenrod City, about how'd they'd been able to help liberate the town with assistance from Whitney (Ash and Brock nodded, recalling the name). Shortly after being chased out of town by a Magma guard, they'd been heading towards Ecruteak City, but were ambushed along the way and next thing they knew, they were being transported to Kanto. The explanation ended with their individual jailbreaks.

Throughout the discussion, neither Ash and Dawn nor May and Drew shed any light on their romance lives. Ash felt such information was trivial to the overall recap, and May didn't want Ash to think less of her because of her bond to Drew.

By the time all stories had been traded and any questions were answered, the sun had set and the sky outside was getting dark. As they hadn't eaten for a long time (they only ate one small meal a day in the jail), everybody was very famished and they made off for the Cafeteria for dinner. Over the course of the meal, they discussed what the crime syndicates could be up to and what they were to do next.

Ash was paying no attention to the discussion and made minimal contributions to it. As he muched on his steak, his eyes were focused on the brunette sitting next to him on his left side (Dawn was on his right, and Drew sat on May's left). He didn't look too much, though, as it would raise suspicions, and not just to the fact he wasn't paying attention. What Ash didn't notice was how Drew looked at Dawn the same way Ash was looking at May.

As they cleared out, they decided the best thing to do would be to place a few phone calls to some people they knew. Brock would call Misty, Ash would contact Tracey (who was Professor Oak's assistant), and Dawn would try to track down Paul (she objected to this, but gave in after being convinced the more, the better). They would call upon their old friends to help them take down the syndicates and halt their sinister plans once they were identified.

Ash had just stepped out of the bathroom, having brushed his teeth and bathed his body. He was sharing a room with Brock (and Pikachu, obviously) tonight. Drew and Max had their own room next door, and the two girls were in the room across the hall. He felt refreshed to be out of harm's way, at least for now. He was also very happy to have seen some old friends – it had been too long since he last saw May and Max. Drew…well, Ash could've cared less about his presence. His disregard for Drew was almost the equivalent to his dislike of Paul's brashness.

He was alone in the room except for the dozing Pikachu, and at the center. Max had already gone to bed in his room, May was outside with Drew somewhere, and Dawn and Brock were out shopping for supplies. Ash put on the clothes he'd wear to sleep and the next day. Just as he was about turn out the lights, however, an envelope in the doorway caught his eye. He hadn't seen it before – it must have come while he was in the bathroom. He walked over to it and found his name on it, written in Dawn's handwriting. He tore opened the envelope and began reading the note inside:

My dearest Ash,

I realize I never truly thanked you for getting me out of that horrid situation earlier today. Or for seeing me get through all the trials in Sinnoh. Or anything else, really. So…thank you!

But today, I also realized something during your brief absence. I realized that my love for you is strong, much stronger than any other I've ever felt. But…

Ash squinted and held the paper close to his face. At this point, the ink on some of the letters was smeared, making it a bit difficult to read, although the words were still legible. He suspected that either Dawn was crying as she wrote this, or Piplup was getting carried away with her water gun sprays. Probably the former. He continued reading.

…sometimes, you can love a person yet realize they might not be your true love. Because, your true love is your soul's counterpoint in another soul. Similarities bind two people, but I think it's their differences that make or break a bond.

Well, I hate to admit it, but I don't think my counterpoint lies within you anywhere, Ash. I can guess what you're thinking. Know that it's got nothing to do with the way you handle yourself. I just think that, maybe, we took our friendship to the next level a bit too soon. I hope you understand what I'm saying. While I truly did not want it to come to this, I'm hoping we can still be friends. I also want you to know that I really do still love you.

I must apologize for doing this in writing. I would have preferred to speak to you alone, but after dinner, Brock insisted that I come with him. So I only had time to write this letter addressing my deepest feelings, the way I feel at this moment. Tomorrow, I would like it if you could come find me. Talk to me. I don't want any hard feelings between the two of us.

Love, Dawn

The last two words were so botched that Ash could barely make out what they said. However, his vision was starting to become blurred as his eyes welled up with tears. He knew that this was what was known as either Dawn breaking up with him, or Dawn dumping him. It didn't matter which one it was; the fact was they were no longer a couple.

It was so sudden. Ash could feel his heart ripping in two halves. Of course, he was willing to go back to being just friends. But still, he could not deny the hurt he was in at this moment. He was too upset to sleep now. He set down down the letter on his bed and went ouside to clear his head. He was unaware of what was happening on the other side of the Pokémon center.

Drew and May had come out here to a field behind the center to practice maneuvers and techniques that would be helpful in future contests. If they could ever compete in contests again. They tried not to think of their earlier plights as they had a mock battle. They had just finished battling. Although May was the winner, she got the impression it was because Drew just wasn't focused on the battle, which was not at all in his character.

This started becoming clearer as he congratulated her. After that, the talk became very much of a serious nature. May would soon find out why Drew was troubled.

"Hey, that was a great battle, but I think your Roselia could have made a bit flashier of an entrance, you know?"

"Indeed. That was a great battle. Congratulations, May. But there's something I want to tell you right now."

"What is it?" May asked.

"Well…It's about…us."

"What about us? What're you trying to say?"

Drew gulped before speaking. This was considerably harder than he thought it was going to be. But it had to be done.

"What I'm trying to say is this. May, I love you. You're a very attractive young woman, and any guy would be lucky to call you his girlfriend. But sometimes, things don't always work out."

May was feeling confused and uncomfortable at the same time. Drew continued.

"We have two extremely different personalities, May. That's not to rule out our similarities. We're both coordinators. We both value peace. And we've been through many things in our time together."

May felt tears forming at her eyes and rolling down her cheeks.

"Drew? Are you saying…?"

"Regrettably… yes. I'm afraid the gap our differences form is too great for there to be much of a future. Sometimes, I think you're more like Ash than anybody else. And that just doesn't bode well with me. Don't get me wrong! I like Ash and all, but…I just don't see how this relationship of ours is gonna work out in the long run." Drew's quivering voice trailed off.

"But…but…does this mean we can't still be friends?" May sobbed.

"I'm willing only if you are."

May looked at the boy who, until a minute ago, was her boyfriend. A hundred thoughts raced through her mind. She was in no mood, however, to sort them out. Part of her said 'yes, let's be friends!' and another said 'no, we took what we had to a new level and now it's all gone.'

"I'm sorry…I need to think about this…" May chocked. With that, she ran to the doors of the center. She just wanted to end this awful day. It was the worst day of her life.

Drew was also upset, and his heart was heavy. Sighing, he decided he'd just go to bed. If May wanted to be friends, she'd find him in the morning, or whenever she was feeling better. He went around the center the opposite direction May went. From there, he went straight to his room and lay down on his bed, careful not to wake Max, and fell into a dreamless sleep.

Ash stood with his back against the side wall of the center. His sobbing fits were over, and his tears had dried, though he knew his eyes were still red. The pain was still there, but it had dwindled to a level Ash could sleep with. He was just about to turn and head in when May came sobbing from around the corner.

"Hey, uh, May?"

"Yeah?"

The two teenagers stood and faced each other. For a few seconds, neither one said anything, but proceeded to look upon the changes in the other.

Ash noted immediately that May's outfit was almost the same as the one she'd been wearing the last time he saw her. But the young woman herself had changed considerably. Ash thought his red eyes were playing tricks on him, as May was far more beautiful than he remembered her being. She was about a couple inches taller, and her brown hair (still under that bandana in its trademark twin locks hanging to the sides of her face) was probably a few inches longer. Her hips looked wider, and that blouse seemed to be a much tighter fit on her torso. But what was most captivating were the sapphire-colored eyes. They wove a spell on Ash, though May did not know it.

May observed several changes in Ash's clothing and in general. The vest, gloves, and hat were all different than the ones she remembered seeing Ash wearing on the day they went their separate ways. He was taller, his voice sounded deeper (a tad bit, from what she could tell), and the jet-black hair under his hat was long and looked unkempt. She liked his hair that way. But what truly got to May were his deep auburn eyes that seemed to look beyond anything that could be seen.

The eyes. That was what was needed. Eyes were the windows to the soul. Just by looking at each other's eyes, Ash and May knew they'd both been subjected to a cruel emotional trial.

Suddenly, Ash was overcome with emotion. He wanted to comfort the girl who'd been with him through thick and thin. He wanted to protect her.

"Oh, May!" he cried, opening his arms as an invitation to hug.

"Ash!" May threw herself into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck. She rested her head against his shoulders and started crying again. Ash, too, was also in tears again.

But deep down, they both felt better. Ash needed someone to watch over and protect. May needed someone to comfort her and guard her.

They stayed in this way for a long time before saying good night to each other and returning to their respective rooms. Today brought with it great joy and great sorrow. That was what makes the world turn.

However, Ash and May knew mutually that their friendship was revived, their flame relit.

Okay, a couple things as I bring this latest installment to a close. First of all, and in case you were thinking it, Ash and May are NOT a couple just yet. If you know how break-ups are, you know they'll need time to let go before they can get back in the game. I personally wouldn't know – I just understand how this sort of thing happens. They will be a couple eventually, though, I promise you that. So don't get discouraged.

The other thing is that I finally have another chapter that I can put a song with. This time, it's "Forever" by Papa Roach (YouTube keywords: Forever Papa Roach). You'll have to listen to it to understand how it ties in with this segment of the story.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has favorited me as an author, my story (or put either on an alert function), and written posts. I love getting feedback, so don't hesitate to shoot something by me. I'm hoping to get the next chapter up very soon, so stay tuned! Peace out, everyone!