I do not own Pokemon.

Chapter 12: Deep Breath

"You're really going to face him!?"

"Are you really sure you want to do this?"

"Yes I am. And this time...I'm going to win." May answered. Dawn and Brock's jaws had hit the floor when May told them her situation, and that she was facing Raolin again. Dawn had been aware of Raolin when she listened in on them that night a couple of weeks before. But she was completely caught off guard by her announcement that she was going now to confront him directly. Ash was standing next to her, fists clenched, and the light of battle in his eyes. She turned to face him and nodded.

"I'm going to need your help. I need to help train Blaziken some more." Ash nodded at her.

"Of course I'll help." He replied, bringing a fist in front of his face.

She turned back to Dawn and Brock. "I'll need your help as well." she said to them. "I'm still not sure if my Blaziken can take his Blaziken."

Dawn and Brock looked at each other and nodded.

"We'll do anything we can to help." Brock smiled.

"Thank you so much." She said, bowing a little. "I'm going to go see if our Pokemon are all ready. Thank you all again!"

May made her way back to the counter with Nurse Joy. Ash went with her. Brock and Dawn watched as May picked up Buneary along with hers and Dawn's Pokemon, Ash doing likewise with Pikachu, his Pokemon, and Brock's. Brock leaned over to Dawn.

"So, how is this going to affect your plans?" he whispered.

"It puts what I wanted to do on hold." she replied, also whispering. "I've gotten May to admit her feelings, now I just need to work on Ash. Buneary and Pikachu getting together should help with that."

Dawn slapped her forehead. Brock stared at her, puzzled.

"Listen to me. I sound like I'm using them."

"Well, I can see you're not." Brock said, smiling. "You're just trying to make them both happy by getting them together. I think it's wonderful."

"No need to worry, huh?" She chuckled.

"Always remember this Dawn: The power of love can overcome any sadness!"

Brocks voice was raised to the point of a rant. He suddenly ran up to the Nurse Joy and took her hand.

"Yes! Show me just what kind of power love has! Love can overcome even the gaping hole I have inside for you...AAAACK!"

Croagunk had come put of its ball, jabbed Brock in his side, and was now dragging him out of the center. May and Ash both chuckled at him.

After spending the night at that Center, everyone woke up early. Even Ash woke up, and they immediately set out to work. In a field by a forest, a little ways from the Pokemon center, May had Blaziken out. Dawn was opposite her, with Piplup standing at ready. Nearby, Ash stood observing, Pikachu and Buneary at his feet, paw-in-paw.

"All right Blaziken! Go for a Double Kick!" May shouted. Blaziken leaped forward, foot extended towards the small blue penguin.

Piplup, dodge it and use Peck!" Dawn ordered. Piplup sidestepped the fierce kicks and rushed towards the large bird, beak glowing white. The peck connected, rending Blaziken back a little. Using the momentum, Blaziken twisted its body and landed on its feet after a flip, crouching into a battle position.

"Blaziken! Use Blaze Kick!" May shouted. Blaziken's foot surged with red-hot fire, and Blaziken leapt at Piplup again.

"Piplup! Use Whirlpool!" A large spiral of water gathered at the tip of Piplup's beak, growing larger. Pushing its small body closer to its blazing adversary, Piplup tossed the water at Blaziken.

"Blaziken, get out of the way and use Sky Uppercut!" Blaziken twisted his body in midair, sliding around the floating vortex. Having avoided that, Blaziken sprang forward with a fist. Surprised, Dawn shouted for Piplup to get out of the way, but Blaziken connected and sent the penguin flying. Dawn's eyes went wide. As Piplup came down, Dawn jumped forward and caught it before it hit the ground.

"Piplup! Are you OK?" she asked.

Piplup shook out its daze and then saluted proudly in assurance. Dawn smiled as she saw May walk over.

"I'm so sorry." She said. "I didn't know how strong that would be..."

"No need to worry!" Dawn replied, smiling."Piplup's alright, if a little dizzy." On cue, Piplup promptly fell over, seeing spirals. Dawn shook her head and rubbed Piplup's. "And Blaziken needs practice."

There was a voice behind them. "Still as good as ever, May." May and Dawn both turned to this newcomer.

"Drew!" May cried in recognition. Ash ran over by May's side and smiled at Drew. Dawn, surprised, merely stared at him.

"Drew! It's been a while!" Ash said, smiling "What brings you here? And how did you get here?"

Drew. So his name is Drew. Dawn's eyes were fixed on this newcomer, unsure of what to think of him.

"Hmm." Drew thought. "After hearing that Raolin was coming to Sinnoh, I left myself to see if you needed any help. And it's actually a lucky break that I found you when I did."

"Really? Why?" May asked.

Drew ran a hand through his hair and stepped away. "I saw him not too long ago. I don't know where he's at right now, all I know is: He's coming this way."

Ash put a hand on May's shoulder. Her cheeks became warm, and she turned away slightly. Drew's eyes followed her action. I think I see why she came to Ash. He smiled at her. Looking around, he spotted the blue haired girl staring at him, who promptly looked away, a small smudge of pink on her face.

"Who's this?" Drew asked, holding his hand to her. Dawn turned back to him and took it.

"I'm Dawn, from Twinleaf Town." She shook his hand. He bowed to her slightly.

"I'm Drew, of LaRousse City." He smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Dawn."

"Hey...Drew? Not to pull you away or anything, but...Can I ask you a favor?" May's eyes were somewhat hopeful. Drew nodded at her. "Can you help me to train? I could really use the help..."

Drew nodded. "Of course. I want to see you beat this guy just as badly as you do." He pulled out a Pokeball. "Shall we get started?"

Pikachu and Buneary watched as Drew and May's Pokemon, Absol and Blaziken, traded blow after blow. Buneary rubbed her cheek thoughtfully, as Pikachu examined the battle intensely. Buneary's eyes went to Drew, who was shouting commands at Absol to answer Blaziken's strikes.

("Pikachu? Who is this...Drew?")

Pikachu smiled at his love. ("Drew is one of May's rivals.") Pikachu replied. ("From pretty much the very start when they met. After a while, they got to be friends.")

Buneary's eyes followed him. ("For some reason...I think he's kind of cool.")

Pikachu's eyes went to Dawn. Her gaze was fixed on Drew. Pikachu nudged Buneary softly, nodding his head towards Dawn. Buneary smiled: She recognized that look. She turned to Pikachu and kissed him on the cheek.

After some time, the two Pokemon, Absol and Blaziken, were recalled. May had gone somewhere and Ash followed her. Buneary thought hard about May and her upcoming battle. The training was good for her. But she had never seen Raolin, and so had no idea what to expect.

("Pikachu...do you think that May has a chance of overcoming this?")

("May is strong.") Pikachu replied. ('And Pikapi is there to help her. I think she CAN win this.")

("I really hope so.") Buneary's eyes went to her paws. ("If only...for her sake.)

"May...do you think you're ready?" Ash asked her. May looked him straight in the eye.

"I'm ready, Ash. I'm ready to battle." she replied. "And I'm going to win this time."

Ash looked at her seriously and put his hand on her shoulder.

"May, just know: We're your friends. If you need us...we'll help."

"Thanks Ash...That means so much coming from you." Ash nodded at her.

After a few minutes, May finally spoke.

"It's late. I need to get some sleep, so I can be ready...whenever he comes."

Later, in her bed, May was heard taking in very deep breaths.

"I'm going to win...I'm going to win."

The next morning, on their way back to the field, a voice froze the group solidly.

"Well well well." The voice said. "It seems I've found the little red girl again."

May turned to the voice. Blue hair, blue shirt, and a long cloak greeted her.

"You..."