I apologize for my long absence. A combined factor of real life and a lack of my creative side prevented me from moving forward with this fic. This chapter, as well as the next one, are both hard to write.

Well, at any rate, here's my latest chapter, Hope you enjoy it.

I do not own Pokemon.

Chapter 8: Suffering the Balloons, Part 1

Drew paced up and down in the Pokemon Center in Goldenrod City. He had been extremely anxious the last few days. Because of the dangerous situation involving the coordinators and contests, he thought it wise to wait out the situation there, in the safety of the big city. As he paced, he kept his eye on a small portable television he had acquired at the gigantic broadcast tower in town. He was watching closely the story that was on the Johto News.

"...Reports that the dangerous Raolin Dhyme was seen boarding a small private boat and headed north, in the direction of Sinnoh. Still for safety reasons and the possible credibility..."

Sinnoh? Drew thought to himself. There were rumors about that May had gone to Sinnoh to look for her friends after Raolin crushed both Eevee and her morale. This was something that in a way, concerned him. To him, May was the one rival that he felt he had to challenge himself to. He had talked often about her with Solidad, his mentor figure and the one to hand him his first loss. He knew from that point on that Solidad was a bit above and beyond what he would be capable of, and he needed to focus on a rival at his own class to make him challenge himself. That rival became none other than May.

He ran a hand through his hair. He had been quite frequent in giving May roses, a symbol of love and admiration. But he never really saw May as a target for affection. To him, he felt he was years away from relationships. He saw the roses as more of a symbol that the two of them were to be rivals: She was to be the one he strived himself to beat. But at the same time, he tried to get on friendly terms with her as best he could. Being friends with a pretty girl like May was never a bad thing, especially if she's a good person, as May was.

Things were complicated, now. May's complete defeat changed things. Not only had she seemed to give up and go to her friends, but Raolin had started a destructive crusade to destroy the contest scene. He put aside his thoughts, and realized something. If May had gone to Sinnoh as the rumors had said, then she was in deep trouble and needed to be warned. Her father was the Gym Leader of Petalburg. If he was to warn her, her family was the best bet. He walked to one of the video phones, looked up the number, and called.

"Hello. Maple residence." said a young voice. On the screen was a young boy, not very tall, with short, dark hair and extremely thick glasses. The boy blinked. "Wait..it's Drew! So why are you calling here?"

"You're that little brother of May's. Was it Mort, or..." he said, genuinely unsure.

"It's Max! And who are you calling little! I'm almost old enough to be a trainer!"

"Yeah that's great. Now listen. There's something important I need to tell you..."

Dawn awoke to the bright morning sun shining through the crack in her tent. She sat up and let loose a long, deep yawn. Taking a small look around her tent to find her little mirror, she noticed that Buneary's pokeball was left open. Buneary's out taking a walk. Wonder if she's got Pikachu on the brain. Giggling, she ran her hands through her hair. Great. Bed-head again. Good thing May lets me borrow some spray. Taking out the spare bottle that May had lent her, she fixed and prettied up her cobalt blue hair, dressed in her typical attire of a black tank top, white undershirt, and exceedingly short pink skirt, emerging from the tent moments later, holding Buneary's Pokeball.

In usual fashion, Brock was up and about, already getting breakfast ready. Pikachu emerged from Ash's tent, yawning sleepily. He waved at Dawn and then looked back into his tent. Surprisingly, Ash emerged. However, he looked disheveled and sleepy, more so than was typical. He looks like he hasn't slept at all. Hmm. Maybe thoughts of a pretty girl? With a bubbly giggle, she walked over to him confidently. As she did so, she glanced at May's tent. It was empty. She stopped and stared at it. Now this was odd. She glanced back at Ash, who seemed to notice May's apparent absence himself. His eyes sunk slightly.

"Good morning, Ash!" she said, in her usual cheerful fashion. Ash grumbled a good morning and began to sleepily look around the camp. After a moment, he stopped and turned to Dawn.

"Hey...where is May at?" he asked, his voice slow. He yawned deeply.

"Good question." she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

Brock stood up, interrupting his work at the cooking pot and stared at May's tent. He smiled.

"I think she left to do some morning exercise. She was up when i was waking up. She left with several Pokeballs." He stared off towards the forest.

"I see." Ash said. There was a loud grumbling noise. Ash held his stomach. "I'm starving. When do we eat?"

Dawn sweatdropped and very nearly fell over. Ash, you're not going to have a girlfriend for very long if you put your stomach above everything else. Brock shook his head, chuckling at Ash.

"Not until May gets back." he said. He turned to Dawn, who still shook her head at Ash. He noticed that Dawn held an open Pokeball. "So, who's gone?" he asked.

"Buneary." Dawn replied. Pikachu's ears perked up slightly. Dawn smiled at him. "I think she went for a walk. Who knows though. She'll be back, no need to worry." She winked at Pikachu. Pikachu let out a sigh and turned away, apparently embarassed. Dawn fought a giggle, and was nearly defeated. Ash scratched his head at Pikachu's reaction.

After some time, Ash became fidgety. Brock had finished preparing breakfast: a mix of scrambled eggs, red peppers, and ham. But it had grown late now, as the expertly crafted breakfast was beginning to get cold. Suddenly, growling stomach and all, Ash stood up.

"May's been gone for too long." He said. " She could have gotten lost. I'm going to go look!"

With that, he grabbed his pack and dashed off. Pikachu followed and hopped on his shoulder, staring straight ahead. Brock frantically waved his arms fruitlessly.

"ASH! WAIT!" Brock screamed. In the distance, Ash turned around and yelled back. "I'll go find her and bring her back!"

Brock, frustrated, grabbed a Pokeball. Dawn rushed to him and grabbed his arm. "Wait." she said. Brock stared at her, bewildered. She smiled. "Let him be. This is perfect."

"Wait...why?" Brock asked, the confusion plain on his face despite his thinly squinted eyes.

"I guess I better tell you what I've been planning for those two." Dawn said, smiling. "But you MUST keep this a secret..."

May was searching about, behind trees, along natural alleys, and past thickets. She had heard that scream, and recognized the voice as Dawn's Buneary. Granted, she didn't have the natural heroism that Ash often had in situations like this, but Dawn was a good friend, and she didn't want to let down one of her best friends. Blaziken was by her side, eyes going in every direction, flames blazing intensely from his talons, a protective anger in his eyes. Blaziken was loyal to her like only Pikachu and Ash could match.

After some time, she heard the sound of footsteps. Someone was running. Ducking behind a tree, she watched the road carefully. Two figures, a small one on all fours, and a human-shaped one, were dashing along the path. "Ok Blaziken...Get ready." She said. Blaziken nodded at her. Gulping nervously, she put her hands to her mouth and shouted.

"HEY!"

The figure stopped short and turned back to her. Coming into full view, the figure called her name.

"May!" It was Ash.

Blushing slightly, May hailed him to her. Losing her balance, she tripped on a root and fell down. Blaziken tried to catch her, but only fell over himself. Ash ran to May' side and stopped, slightly panting. "I've found you." He said.

May shifted to a sitting position. Blaziken stood up. "You were looking for me?"

"Yeah." Ash replied. "Everyone at the camp's waiting on you. I got worried because you hadn't come. Are you all right?"

"Ash...I'm fine." She said, her blush deepening slowly. At least he cares for me.

"You haven't seen Buneary around, have you?" he asked. Pikachu's ears twitched.

"I-I heard Buneary scream not too long ago. So I went looking for her. She sounded really scared." She glanced off down a gap between two trees. Pikachu's eyes went wide with worry. (No!) "But Ash, now that you're here, we can find her together." May said.

"But what about telling Dawn?"Ash said.

Pikachu suddenly dashed away through the gap, crying out loud as he went. ("Buneary! Where are you! Buneary, hang in there!") Ash shouted at him, unable to make his friend stop. May watched a moment, then looked back at Ash. Ash clenched a fist.

"Looks like Pikachu made my choice easy." He said. He turned to her sharply. "I'm going after him. You go tell Dawn and Brock what's going on."

May shook her head. "No, Ash. I'm coming with you."

"What?" Ash blurted out. May's eyes became resolute.

"Please, Ash. Let me come with you." She said. "I have to do this. I have to prove to myself...that I won't let my friends down again. Ash...you've always helped me. I want to try helping Dawn. I want to be...like you, Ash. Please. Let me come."

"I guess I can't argue with that." he said. He reached out a hand to May. Hesitantly, and with a burning red face, May took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet, quite close to him. Ash nodded to her at her, and she smiled at him.

"Let's go." He said. May recalled Blaziken back to the ball. Ash pulled out his own ball and threw it. "Staravia! Try and find any sign of Pikachu or Buneary!"

Staravia nodded and flew off with a screech. Ash looked back at May and smiled.

"We'll find Buneary. You won't let Dawn down." He said.

May's still red face darkened as she gave him a happy, encouraged smile. "No I won't...Not with you, Ash."