I do not own Pokemon.

Chapter 2: Needing Your Smile

"Finally...A Pokemon Center..."

A group of three travelers arrived at a roadside Pokemon Center. One was a black haired, short boy, a yellow rodent with red cheeks perched on his shoulder. The next was a taller, brown haired youth, his eyes fixed in a permanent squint. The last was a skinny girl, her blue hair running a bit wild. They had the appearance of those who were weatherbeaten, mud was integrated into their clothing, smudging their faces, and made them both look and feel miserable. Particularly the girl, who lamented her disarrayed appearance.

"Ohh...I wanna take a shower!" She said, frustrated at her appearance but happy that she had found the means to clean herself. "My hair's a mess, I'm covered in mud, I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm hungry...can we go in already?" Her voiced raised to an impatient yell.

"Settle down, Dawn." Said the tall youth. "I understand, but there's no reason to get that upset."

"Yeah, Brock's right." The boy, named Ash, piped in. "It's not like we chose to get caught in that downpour, or that little mudslide..."

"Oh, you two are impossible!" The girl, Dawn, threw up her hands. "A girl's gotta keep up her appearances, and it's really hard to do that when we're out in the road, drenched in mud, and haven't eaten decently in two days!"

Ash and Brock both held up their hands simultaneously. Pikachu, the yellow creature on Ash's shoulder, let loose a sigh.

"All right, all right, we'll go inside." They both said in unison. Dawn huffed at them, then walked towards the door.

When they entered the Center, the local Nurse Joy regarded them all with pity.

"Don't tell me you were outside during that storm..." She said softly.

"Yes we were," Dawn spoke quickly, then clapped her hands together in front of her face. "Could I use the shower, please?"

"But of course," said Nurse Joy. "This Pokemon Center serves as a hotel as well, more so than other centers. Because this is a well traveled road, and there's a long ways between towns out here, this center, and the hotel, were a necessity. Please, freshen yourselves up. I'd be happy to take your Pokemon and give them a thorough looking over. We've got plenty of room to spare. Here are your room keys."

"Thanks a lot, Nurse Joy." Ash said, handing over his Pokeballs, and taking a key. Pikachu let loose a small "pika", then jumped down and stood next to Nurse Joy.

"Y-yes, thanks for your help." Brock said, also handing over his. He was quivering. "Come on Ash, let's find the showers so we can wash off." Brock seemed in a great hurry. Ash shrugged at Dawn, who shrugged back and sped off to her own room at a run.

"What's the matter, Brock? Normally, you're all over those Nurse Joys." Ash grinned. Brock sighed deeply.

"Ash, just like Dawn said, I'm tired, and I'm sore." Brock replied. "I doubt I could survive a jab from Croagunk right now." Ash's only response was to chuckle.

When they reached their rooms, Brock quietly entered his and shut the door. Ash heard what sounded like water running in the room to the right, Dawn's room. She wasted no time here. Ash went left, and entered his own cozy little room. There was one bed, a bathroom with a shower, and what looked like a small kitchen area. Walking to the bathroom, he looked at the standing shower and sighed, rubbing his arms. He felt really stiff. Dawn and Brock have the right idea. Guess I'll take a shower.

There was a knock at the door. "Pardon me..." said the voice.

"Come on in." Ash said politely.

The slender frame of Nurse Joy entered. She had a piece of paper in her hand and was looking at it. She spoke quietly.

"Are you Ash Ketchum, of Pallet Town?" she asked.

"Yes, that would be me." As said, looking at the paper.

"I've a message for you." She walked to Ash and handed him a piece of paper. Ash stared at it a moment, then took it. "Thank you." he said. Nurse Joy bowed, then left the room. Ash opened up the piece of paper.

Dear Ash...

Things aren't going so well for me here. I thought I would like doing contests in Johto, but it isn't fun...not anymore. After thinking about it, I've decided to come and stay...with you. Ash, I need you right now. Please, please...when you get this, call the Pokemon Center in Violet City, so I can find out where you're at, or at least, where you're going. I hope to see you soon, in person.

Love,

May Maple

"May...needs me?" Ash said to himself, a blush beginning to form on his cheeks slightly. Wait, what could have happened to her? I'd better call her after I shower.

At the Violet City Pokemon Center, May sat in a waiting room, silently running her fingers through her hair. It had been a week since her crushing defeat at the hands of Raolin, and she had received no word from Ash in that time. Now not only was Eevee's heavily injured state wearing on her mind, she was now starting to worry about Ash. What if he's hurt, or tired, or... She didn't want to finish the thought it was too morbid. She looked up to a TV that was in the waiting room. The channel was tuned to an interview station, and the woman in the red reporter's cap was speaking.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, with us today is Raolin Dhyme, the winner of the Violet City contest. Raolin, the results seem to have garnered you a lot of hate from even old fans. What possessed you to treat you opponent so?

Raolin, still in his black and blue outfit, grabbed the microphone.

"Listen up, Coordinators. I've been watching as the Contests scene evolved from showcasing the best to promoting the worst. I even left Johto in the hopes that coordinators could go and improve upon themselves, but they don't. I've been nice, I've been polite about it for some time now, but seeing that girl with her Eevee really got me to think. It's better that I destroy the contest scene here, and we all start from scratch. That should allow for better people yo be a part of a new contest scene. One that values REAL skill."

May switched off the TV, tears beginning to run down her face.

"May?"

May jumped, slightly startled. "Oh, it's Nurse Joy. So...how is Eevee?"

"Eevee will be fine. It should be back up to speed...in a week, it may yet be able to walk. However, May, you have a phone call." May hurried herself over to the phone and spoke. On the screen popped the familiar face of Ash.

"Hello, May..."