Chapter 12 is here!!! I bet all you people are really happy.

May: Of course!

Drew: Not really…

Me: Since we are all so excited why don't I get this chapter on the road!

May: Yay!

Drew: Crap….

Me: I do not own pokemon!

Battle Appeal

Keychimp leaped into action at the call of its trainer. It jumped from her shoulder and did two flips in mid air before landing on its foot and twirling in a circle and throwing a peace sign to the crowd. Mild applause was heard and May's adrenaline began to move faster as she began to gain all the excitement of performance.

"Oh what an adorable little pokemon! Let's see what this little guy has in store for us." Julian cooed admiring the small monkey.

"Okay Keychimp, zap canon!" She ordered with her authority shining through her smile.

"Keychimp!" It squealed happily before facing a palm straight into the air. The bluish green orb of sparking energy began to form and when it was at a large size, Keychimp released it into the air where it hovered not exploding yet.

"Alright, use swift!" Keychimp threw its head back and released the glowing gold stars from its mouth. The stars surrounded the Zap canon and just like in practice it looked exactly like an atom.

Drew sat forward and away from the back of his chair as he gazed at the atom looking mixture of attacks that hovered above May and Keychimp. This was the first time he had actually seen May's appeal and so far he was interested in whatever was going to occur. The appearance was obviously very captivating but what the look of the appeal held is what had Drew interested.

May's work had always caught his attention; it was very obvious by the way he would be hanging around contests she would be competing in and hide in the shadows. For the first few times that he had done that he told himself that he was just checking out how good she had gotten or which pokemon she had captured, but that naïve thinking was replaced by the truth; he loved watching May compete.

"Now Keychimp, focus punch and make it direct!" May commanded. People gasped at the irrational thinking, clearly dangerous to the obvious outcome of hitting an explosive attack dead on.

"Well this is getting rather interesting, let's see the outcome of this type of thinking!" Julian said as she focused on the trainer and the pokemon.

Keychimp launched itself off the ground pulling back a fist that was beginning to glow an intense pure white. The crowd's eyes and the coordinators in the back room followed Keychimp with their eyes as he went towards the atom like combination. It seemed to go in slow motion but soon enough Keychimp's enhanced punch came in contact with one of the swift stars. That star exploded, causing a chain reaction and making the other star shaped attacks explode one at a time. Each explosion looked like a small display of fire works. Keychimp landed nimbly on its feet but quickly launched itself again.

Soon all the stars had disappeared and the zap canon exploded. Just as it did Keychimp jumped in front of it posing in mid air. The exploding zap canon looked like a back round of sparkles and fireworks behind the small monkey. People began to cheer and Keychimp landed on its feet before hopping up and down happily and spinning on its tail.

"T-That was too amazing for words alone!" Julian said as she clapped with a large grin on her face. May grinned as well. "Let's see if the judges feel the same way!"

"Well I've seen you in action before Miss Maple and I thought I'd seen all your tricks but you've proved me wrong." Mr. Contesta said. "You have astounded me once again; I'll give you a 9.5."

"That was…..it was…..simply captivating!" Mr. Sukizo said. Julian and everyone else, who knew him, were surprised that he didn't use the word 'remarkable'. "I was anxious when you commanded Keychimp to use a head on attack on that wonderful display but you pulled through astoundingly. I will give you a 10!"

"I completely agree, that was a very captivating performance. Keychimp is such a sweetheart and I know personally that he is in perfect condition." Nurse Joy said with a wink. "I was entranced by such a wonderful display that I'm going to award you a 10 as well!"

"Amazing! May succeeded to gain the highest score in this competition with a 29.5!" Julian said "This fabulous performance proves her title as a top coordinator!"

"You never surprise me May." Drew muttered to himself with a small smirk tugging at his lips.

"May is so talented!" Diandra exclaimed throwing her arms into the air for emphasis. Drew rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress his growing smirk.

"It's elementary Diandra." Ray scoffed. "Basic strategic thinking and training."

"No, there's so much more to May's performances then that." Drew inserted. "Trust me, she can magically pull herself up when all odds are against her, she has a special quality that none of use will ever comprehend."

May crutched her way off stage with Keychimp walking on her heels. She entered the back room and was nearly tackled by Riley who stared at her with adoration.

"Oh my gosh May that was more beautiful then when you were practicing in the park!" Riley complimented. May smiled thankfully.

"Thanks Riley." She said rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. Keychimp jumped onto her shoulder and chimed its name over and over happily making May laugh lightly.

"Good job brunette." Vanessa sneered coming up in front of May. "Didn't think that wimp of a pokemon would be able to last. You managed to get a higher score then me" She laughed sarcastically. "But that gives me all the better reason to dislike you and kick your butt!"

"I highly doubt that." A smooth voice said from behind May. Vanessa's eyes widened.

"Drewsy!" She squealed running over to him and latching her hands on his arm. May glared at her and Drew let out an agitated sigh before snatching his arm away from her grasp. He simply walked pass her and approached May with a slight smile playing his lips. Vanessa gawked before turning on her heel and leaving while muttering rude remarks under her breath.

"Hey Drew, why are you back here?" May asked smiling brightly at him. He flicked his hair.

"There's a short intermission. I came to congratulate you on a job well done." He said producing a blood red rose from his pocket. Before May could take one hand away from her crutch to accept the gift, he took the rose and pulled back some of her bang and stuck the rose behind her ear. Her entire face turned into a hue of scarlet as he brushed the remaining hair out her face. Her heart felt as though it had jumped into her throat and her stomach was floating with Butterfrees fluttering around in it.

"There, now all the attention isn't latched onto your crutches, but your pretty little face." He said playfully. May smiled softly and turned her gaze downwards as her face turned even redder. "Good luck." He added before winking at her and disappearing out the room. May felt completely confused now. 'Did he just call me pretty?' she thought as her blush settled to a dull patch of pink. 'Did he wink at me…..twice today!?'

"And now let's see who our top four coordinators are going to be!" Julian announced. May turned her attention to the screen and smiled as her picture showed up first. The next picture made May growl under her breath; it was Vanessa. Next was that boy named Malcolm and then Riley.

"Hey we made the top four, May!" Riley said happily stating the obvious and throwing a smile May's way. May smiled as well.

"That's great, but that means we might go up against each other." May informed her.

"I know, and I'm ready!" Riley said with her determination burning in her eyes.

"That's what I want to hear!" May said shaking hands with her.

"Now let's move onto the portion that all you action lovers have been waitin for! Show us those battle pairs!" Julian said pumping a fist into the air and pointing to the large screen in the arena. The four pictures scrambled for at least 20 seconds before they settled on what the first two pairs would be.

Riley vs. Malcolm

May vs. Vanessa

May clutched onto her crutches as tight as she could. Riley glanced at her then looked to Vanessa to see a sinister grin plastered on the fangirls face. Riley could sense the tension between the two girls and knew they had a strong dislike towards each other. 'That's gonna be one intense battle…' Riley thought.

"Looks like I'm first!" Riley said breaking the tension filled silence. May was torn away from the screen by the sound of her friend's voice and smiled.

"Looks like. I wish you the best of luck." May said giving the fourteen year old a thumbs up. Riley returned the gesture.

"Thanks!"

"Well let's get our first pair out and get this show on the road!" Julian said giving her baton a toss and letting it fall back into her hand that clutched it tight.

Riley let out a sigh and relaxed herself before her cheerful smile returned.

"I'm ready!" She said jogging out the backroom.

Riley came out an entrance to the arena on the right side while Malcolm came out the one on the left. His determined smirk never faltered. He had deep brown messy hair that was half covered by a backwards baseball cap that was blue with a black pokeball on the front. He had bright sea blue eyes and his skin was lightly tanned. He was wearing a black t-shirt that had a blue hood and blue pokeball design on the front. He also had on simple blue jeans and black sneakers with blue laces.

He removed a pokeball from his belt, enlarged it and gave it a toss. The streak of white light that came customary with the opening of a pokeball formed into a Houndoom that let out a roar upon entry. Riley clutched a pokeball and enlarged it before giving it a toss.

"C'mon out Medicham! Let's get this party started!" She said cheerfully. Medicham came out with its eyes closed and it was floating in a meditated state. All of a sudden its eyes snapped open and it landed on the ground and got into its fighting position.

"Five minutes on the clock!" Julian said looking to the screen. A picture of Riley and one of Malcolm appeared with bars under them, the timer set in the middle. "No let's get the show on the road!" The countdown began.

"All right, Houndoom, use shadow ball!" Malcolm ordered. Without even a second thought the dark energy attack was launched and came hurtling at Medicham with intense speed.

"Medicham, evade." Riley instructed. Medicham levitated from the ground and the shadow ball simply passed below its floating feet. It set its feet back on the ground and waited for further instruction. Malcolm's points went down a fraction due to the way Medicham evaded the attack so easily and gracefully. "Now Medicham, use seismic toss!"

Medicham sprinted towards Houndoom at high speed with its hand out ready to grab its target. Before Malcolm could do anything Medicham had a grip on one of Houndoom's leg. With one fluid movement, Medicham threw Houndoom clear across the arena. Riley smirked as she watched Houndoom go flying but she was shocked when the dark dog pokemon landed nimbly on all four paws easily. Riley gazed up at the score board and noticed that they were now at an even amount of points and half a minute had passed.

"That's okay Medicham, try again!" Riley ordered.

"Why is she proceeding in using that attack again after it failed so miserably?" Ray snapped. Diandra winced as she watched her friends points go down again when the second try at seismic toss had the same outcome as the first time.

"She's under the pressure." Drew said simply as he watched Riley look from the scores to the battle. "She's more infatuated with the time and the points then the actual battle. Her battle style has no originality to it."

"Come on Riley, you did this before…" Diandra said clutching onto her poochyena in anxiety.

"Medicham use mega punch!" Riley commanded. Medicham went in for another attack and tried to land a punch on Houndoom, but at the last second the dark dog dodged the attack. Riley clutched her hands into fists then looked out into the audience. She saw the desperate look on Diandra's face, the emotionless face on Drew and the disappointed face on Ray. Seeing Ray's face made her heart drop. She grit her teeth in fustration.

"Houndoom, use ember!" Houndoom let out a low growl before opening its mouth to let loose the speeding bullet like fire attack. Riley's eyes widened and she gazed at Medicham to see that it was panting with tiredness. It couldn't possibly get out the way in time.

"C'mon Riley. Forget everything and focus on your style and the battle." May muttered under her breathe as she gazed at the battle occurring on the screen.

"Looks like your little friend is just as bad a coordinator as you." Vanessa snickered. May ignored her and continued to focus on the battle.

'Ugh, why can't I do this!?' Riley thought desperately as she gazed at the oncoming attack. It seemed to be moving in slow motion, everything seemed to slow down for her. 'I have to find my style….head on attacks don't work, so…'

"Quick Medicham use safeguard then use psy-beam!" Riley ordered while a smile crept onto her face. Medicham developed a pink aurora around its body then a shield appeared in front of it blocking the ember completely. Malcolm's points went down a fraction but Riley didn't dare look at the points or the timer.

"All right now lets make a come back, use shadow ball with swift!" 'If May can combine zap canon and swift to her advantage then so can I…' The swift twirled around the shadow ball as it went flying straight to Houndoom who took it head on. Malcolm lost some more points but Houndoom still looked stable.

"Houndoom, use flame thrower!" Malcolm ordered pointing straight to the panting Medicham. Medicham looked to Riley and she smiled.

"Medicham use bide!" Medicham brought its hands together prayer style and charged right toward the flame thrower. Medicham was no less then an inch away from attack before it disappeared. The attack missed completely and Medicham appeared on the other side of the battle field. Malcolm's points lowered due to the ineffective attack.

"Houndoom use bite!" Malcolm ordered with frustration dripping from his tone. Houndoom went charging at Medicham with its fangs ready to sink into the psychic pokemon. Riley thought for a second then smiled.

"Medicham use flash!" The three dots on Medichams head began to glow faintly before releasing a bright white light blinding Houndoom completely and making it stop in its tracks. That attack, just like the last one, didn't come close to affecting Medicham at all.

"Look like Medicham knows how to evade attacks using the old quote that you can't touch what you can't see." Julian joked giggling softly.

"Ugh Houndoom, use hyper beam!" Malcolm said, beginning to feel the pressure that Riley was feeling earlier on in the battle. Houndoom opened its mouth in the direction of Medicham and released a stream of bright red, yellow and orange power.

"Medicham use bide then shadow ball!" Riley ordered. Medicham quickly disappeared from sight and the hyper beam hit nothing, only the empty spot where Medicham once stood. Both Malcolm and Houndoom looked around, trying to figure out where Medicham would reappear.

"Medi…." A calm voice said from over head. Houndoom and his trainer looked up to see Medicham floating in the air with a shadow ball already formed in its hand.

"Okay, let 'em have it!" Riley said. The shadow ball was then released at such an extreme speed that in less then a second it hit Houndoom dead on. Houndoom rolled backwards before landing on its back. It clutched its eyes shut and winced as it tried to get up but it only fell back down drowning in unconsciousness. Three X's appeared on each judges score board and just as the X's appeared, the time ran out and the sound of a buzzer filled the arena.

"Well, Houndoom is unable to battle, Riley and her Medicham move on to the next round!" Julian said happily. Riley jumped up happily and gave Medicham a hug.

"Yes!" She said happily.

"That was so awesome! Riley came back so swiftly and evading all those attacks was genius." Diandra said.

"She did okay. Let's see how she does up against May." Drew said flicking his hair.

"How do you know that May's going to make it to the final battle?" Ray asked raising an eyebrow. That Vanessa girl looked tough to beat.

"Trust me, I know May." Drew assured. "She can handle a lot."

"Yea! I mean she did beat you didn't she?" Diandra said with a smirk. Drew glared at her.

Riley jogged off stage and to the back room where May greeted her with a warm smile.

"You did really well out there Riley." She complimented. "And you found your style."

"I did?" Riley questioned sounding a bit surprised.

"Yea, the way you use distant attacks after using attacks that could deflect another or help you dodge another is a wonderful tactic," May explained, Riley just blinked. "You looked comfortable doing that and it worked for you." May added with a smile.

"I guess your right!" Riley said with a grin.

"Onto our next battle! C'mon out May and Vanessa!" Julian announced. May took in a breath and Keychimp latched onto her shoulder.

"Good luck May." Riley said giving May a thumbs up. May smiled and thanked her. May stroked the rose behind her ear then smiled.

"There, now all the attention isn't latched onto your crutches, but your pretty little face."

"Okay Drew, this battle is for you..."

Yay, all done!

May: I loved it!

Drew: Yea yea it was good.

Me: Well please Review.

May: REVIEW!!!!!!