Sorry for the long wait, and short chapter. I got horribly sick. I literally spent like the last four days in like a delirium of puking and a fever. Not fun.

I read several comments that I feel I need to reply to.

I actually didn't even realize the whole Swablu and evolution thing. That was a really good point. I'll make a good explanation later, but right now I want to make the timeline that he caught Swablu before the whole dragon type competition started

Also, can someone please explain the whole Advanceshipping and Pearlyshipping thing. I still haven't quite figure out what that stuff means.

Ash slowly walked through the dark. That had been much more intense then he had expected. That wasn't a normal gang. Team Rocket was having them attack the competitors for some reason. He just needed to figure out how.

Ash looked at Feraligatr who was carrying Pikachu and Eevee. Feraligatr had saved him without a doubt. When his pokemon saws him observing him, Ash just smiled and looked away. Feraligatr had paid a price to just help him though. He had evolved twice, and was scarred now.

Ash saw the pokemon center ahead. He quickly walked through the doors only to get mauled. Ash walked in to a slap, some hard words, and a punch to the face. Ash was in shock over what happened. He touched his face as he looked at all those around him. Solidad, Harley, Lyra, Khoury, and Max and Drew were crowding around him.

Ash now acted to the abuse. He caught the Lyra's hand which was going to slap him again, and grab the neck of Drew's shirt. He then lifted Drew into the air before tossing him backwards. Ash then asked, "Not the welcome I expected."

Max now yelled, "Shut up. I come to watch May, and she is crying in her room because of you."

Ash frowned and asked calmly, "Why is she crying?"

Max bunched up in anger before screaming, "We can't talk to her because Blaziken is guarding the door., but you are obviously the reason. Everyone told me what you said to her about her match."

Ash now ignored him and walked up to Blaziken. He looked at May's strongest pokemon before reaching for the doorknob under its arm. Blaziken shifted her arm so that his hand was smacked away. Ash frowned and tried again. Same result.

Now Ash stood back and informed Blaziken, "If what they say is true, I caused May to cry. Then it is my responsibility to help her. Now let me through." Ash tried to grab the doorknob again, but Blaziken still blocked him. Rougher this time. Ash laughed before saying to Blaziken, "One way or another, I'm getting in there. I've known you since you were a Torchic. Not I will tell you that you are just deciding between the hard way or the easy way."

Blaziken didn't budge. Ash reached for the doorknob, but Blaziken actually grabbed his wrist. Ash paused before using his other hand to grab her wrist, and then using his free hand to grab the doorknob. Blaziken obviously got angry, and shoved Ash, and when something the size and strength of a Blaziken shoves you, you fly. Ash flew back and collided with a table.

Ash paused before giving Blaziken a death stare that actually made it step back. Ash stood up and claimed, "I guess you've chosen the hard way."

Khoury quickly exclaimed, "You can't be thinking of battling in the pokemon center."

Ash quickly replied, "I have no intention of battling." Ash then walked towards the door again. Blaziken reached out a hand to stop him again. Ash grabbed her wrist and twisted around before using a judo throw to flip Blaziken. Blaziken was taken completely by shock and flew through the air before breaking the table he had just smashed through. Ash then ordered, "Feraligatr, guard the door till I'm done."

Ash then closed the door as Feraligatr moved in between the shocked group. Ash looked around the room. It was dark, but he could see May lying on the bed face down. He heard her mumble, "Where is Blaziken?"

Ash leaned against the wall, "Currently lying in shock in the remains of a coffee table. Now why are you crying?"

May just buried her head in the pillow. Ash sighed, and slid down the wall to sit and wait. He started hearing some scuffling beyond the door, but it looked like Feraligatr was more than a match for Blaziken. Ash was now playing a waiting game. The room was dark, and Ash heard the sobs of May. He sighed, but knew he had to wait until she talked.

It felt like hours before May finally spoke, "What are you doing here?"

Ash quickly replied, "I thought that was obvious. I'm here to figure out why you are crying."

May muttered something as she buried her face in the pillow again. Ash sighed, and waited. She had spoken so it wouldn't be much longer. After about five minutes May claimed, "You don't respect me."

Ash frowned and repeated, "I don't respect you?"

May sat up angrily and exclaimed, "You said you didn't think I stand a chance at winning, and then you don't think I'm strong enough to go with you to that gang. You thought you would be better off going by yourself. I could have helped, but you didn't think I would be useful."

Ash sighed and walked over till he sat on the edge of the bed before commenting, "I didn't know you were so eager to face criminals."

"It's not that. You put yourself in danger yet felt I couldn't handle it. I battled Team Magma and Aqua with you. The only thing I can get it that you must thing I'm not strong enough to take care of myself, and you felt I would have been a burden," she claimed angrily.

Ash now stated, "Did you ever think that possibly I didn't want to concern you in my affairs. After all you are competing in a Grand Festival. I don't see any reason why you would want to be there."

May countered, "I wanted to go to help you. You went alone to face a group of criminals. Of course I would want to come."

Ash pointed out, "These were a disorganized crime group. I have dealt with Team Rocket, Magma, Aqua, and Galactic. This wasn't a risky thing. I didn't need help." He lied on the last bit. Didn't figure that he should tell her that.

"If they weren't a threat, then why couldn't I come?" May asked angrily.

Ash grabbed his head as he shook it. Finally he claimed, "You aren't listening. You couldn't come because there was no reason for you to come. You are competing in a Grand Festival. You should be focusing on that. Not some criminals that don't matter."

May pounded the bed indignantly and ordered, "Admit it, you just don't respect my abilities as a trainer. Even if I am a coordinator, my pokemon are still strong. You just don't think I'm good enough."

"Will you stop putting false words into my mouth," Ash snapped angrily. He then stood up and claimed, "I guess that I have to explain my earlier actions today. It seems you have hopelessly misunderstood them."

Ash stood up and walked over to the door. He flicked on the light switch. The sudden light made him squint in pain. As soon as he could see clearly, he saw the shape May was in. In the dark it had been impossible to see the puffiness in her face and the clear dried tears. Ash felt guilty immediately, but turned to the computer that was in every room.

Ash sat down and turned on the computer. After a couple seconds where it started up, Ash quickly logged onto the internet. He then logged in to his own private trainer's profile. There were a number of videos along with a biography of his trainers life. Ash motioned for May to come over.

Ash asked, "May, have you ever heard the complete story of my first regional League?"

May seemed puzzled, but answered, "I know it was at the Indigo League. I also heard that you got in the top sixteen, but I've never heard you talk about it much."

Ash stared grimly and he recounted, "I was not a skilled trainer at first. I didn't know any of the basics and was completely unprepared for going on a journey. Luckily, soon afterwards I met Misty and Brock. With their help, I managed to qualify for the Indigo League. Although I was given most of my badges for helping the gym, not winning a battle."

May nodded and commented, "I remember Misty saying something about that when we started the Battle Frontier. It was pretty hard to believe."

Ash closed his eyes and he continued, "Well it is true. Only one to three did I win in a gym battle. Anyways, after I qualified I had two months to prepare. You know what I did, I played around. I never trained as seriously as some people, but looking back, I was an idiot. I doubt I got a week of honest training during that time. Still, through natural skill and luck, I managed to get to the top sixteen. I even beat Gary, who only made it to the top thirty-two. It was then that I met a trainer named Richie."

Ash then pulled up a picture of his look alike. May gasped and claimed, "Wow, you two could be brothers."

Ash nodded and exclaimed, "We could have been the same person. He had a Pikachu, Charmander, and Butterfree at the time. During my journeying, I had each of those pokemon at one point or another. There was one difference though. Ritchie thought logically when it came to pokemon battles. He trained, and prepared for the tournament while I simply thought me and my pokemon could overcome anyone. We battled, and here you can see the result."

Ash started the video. He watched as the match started. Squirtle lost to Happy due to a Sleep Powder, Pikachu beat Happy, Pikachu then got exhausted battling Zippo. Ash then watched in in own private torture as he watched Charizard be released. Charizard immediately scared its pre-evolved form witless. Sparky wasn't even able to put up enough fight to prevent Charizard from going to sleep. Ash watched grimly as how he lost his first League.

May was slack-jawed as to what happened. She finally managed to say, "You lost because your pokemon went to sleep."

Ash nodded stiffly and explained, "I caught Charizard when he was still a Charmander. His previous trainer had left him because he was considered weak. Charmander then evolved into a Charmeleon, but it stopped listening to me after that. It evolved into a Charizard to battle an Aerodactyl. It still didn't listen to me, and my naïve self thought it would all work out in the end. I didn't even attempt once to train him. I lost my first League, with a pokemon that was so strong it didn't even feel the need to battle."

May now snapped irritably, "I get it. Keep training. I can't keep thinking I can overcome without training my pokemon."

Ash shook his head slowly before claiming, "It isn't just that. You need to see things how they are. I completely believed I would win that tournament. I didn't even register the possibility I would lose. When I did lose, I took it hard. I didn't talk to anyone for days. I wish I had people to say to me, what I told to you earlier today. It wasn't out of malice or wanting to be mean. I just want you to be prepared for anything that could happen."

May now said weakly, "I knew that. This isn't my first Grand Festival. I can take anything that can happen."

Ash swiveled the chair around so he was staring at her. He kept up the look till she shifted in uncertainty. Ash then said softly, "I thought Dawn was the same way. So I said exactly what one would have expected me to say. 'That was great. You are going to go all the way, Dawn.' You know what, I was wrong to do that. I saw the problems she was having, but felt that I didn't want to discourage her by pointing out her flaws. Then she lost. Bad. She went against a quality opponent and couldn't get any strategies going. When she lost, I saw how disappointed she was. She was devastated because she honestly believed she would win, and Brock and I didn't do anything to warn her. I honestly don't blame her for leaving. I was mad at first, but I didn't do what a friend should do, I didn't tell her what she needed to hear. Now I wasn't going to make that mistake again with you."

Ash paused before continuing strongly, "If I didn't respect you, I wouldn't have ever traveled with you. Anyone that I am friends with, I respect in some form. Truly, I respect you. You are one of my best friends, and like a sister to me. I really just didn't think you would benefit from me lying to you. I know you have it in you to win, but the trick is to bring it out."

Ash then stood up and kissed May on the forehead before walking out of the room. He opened the door to see Feraligatr's broad back blocking it. Ash slipped beside the pokemon and looked at the scene. Someone had cleaned up the coffee table, and he saw everyone resting on the couches. Blaziken was the only one fully awake. Blaziken jumped up at the sight of Ash and approached. Feraligatr moved in front of Ash protectively.

Ash chuckled and said softly, "May is in the room. You should give her some time though to think. I'm going to bed. I'll wake everyone up." Ash then watched as Blaziken started to diligently guard the door again. Ash then turned to the group of sleeping people and pokemon. Ash clapped his loudly, causing them to jerk awake. Ash then informed them, "I talked to May. She should be fine soon, but she needs time to think. Give her until morning. For now, let's all go to sleep."

The group started to stand, but Khoury managed to ask, "Ash, what happened to your Feraligatr. I assume it evolved from your Totodile, but it has a scar on its side. What really happened?"

Ash looked at him slowly before stating, "We went in. We fought. Pikachu and Eevee got separated from Totodile and I. We ended up in a crowded room. Totodile got hurt, and then evolved to help me. He was strong enough to evolve twice. That is all you need to know."

Ash then returned Feraligatr and Eevee before walking away with Pikachu. Now he just had to hope that they accepted his limited answer, and that May caught his hint about him being uninterested in a romantic relationship.

Ash was watching as Vulpix and Magby were trying to win in their battle of Flamethrowers. Vulpix seemed slightly stronger, but Magby was certainly spirited. Ash raised his hand for the end, and the two sat down as they breathed heavily. Ash congratulated them before sending out Donphan and Torterra. Donphan was using Rollout to circle Torterra as both pokemon were figuring out a way to attack.

Ash heard people approaching. He held his hand up to stop them as Torterra used an Earthquake attack. Donphan used a rock to jump up, but Torterra immediately launched a Leaf Storm attack. Donphan switched to Rapid Spin to deflect most of the damage, but still took damage. Donphan landed heavily, but immediately stood up and used Fire Fang. Torterra roared in pain, but couldn't reach Donphan. Ash watched to see how Torterra would handle the situation. Torterra growled and white circles formed around him. They materialized into rocks, and then they launched at both the pokemon. It wasn't effective on either of them, but it was enough to dislodge Donphan. The two were staring at each other as they prepared to continue, but Ash called for a stop. The two pokemon were confused, but walked up to him as he turned to see the group. Everyone besides Giselle and May were there.

Max looked angry and asked, "Why did you say something like that to May yesterday?"

Ash calmly looked at the grown up kid before retorting, "I already told May. I have no obligation to tell you."

Max looked shocked at his reply, and exclaimed furiously, "I'm her brother. I deserve to know what made her so sad."

Ash gave him a cold glare as he replied, "I don't think so. May isn't some helpless girl being bullied by a playground bully. She can tell you, but I see no reason I should."

Max looked slightly hurt and he asked, "When did you change so much, Ash?"

Solidad stepped forward and added, "Yes, you seem in a rather bad mood."

Ash took a deep breath before stating, "Sorry, but that is just a rather sensitive subject. Don't worry, I think May will be fine. Let's just talk about a different subject."

Max seemed to hesitate, but Harley quickly asked, "Are you going to train every morning? It sort of ruins people still sleeping."

Ash smirked and commented, "It is nine. People should already be awake by now."

Solidad now smiled and informed him, "Well those who weren't awake are now going to give you a piece of their mind."

Ash frowned, but then saw what she meant. May and Giselle were stomping over with murder in their eyes. Ash took a mini step back before they reached him. He felt shrank back instinctively as the two yelled in unison, "Be quiet."

Ash had enough sense not to reply. May looked like she had just rolled out of bed, and Giselle still was radiant. Though she too seemed slightly less done up as she usually was. She apparently had been forced out of bed early by his training.

Ash shrugged and tried to turn away, but May started speaking, "Geez, I get you want to train, but you don't have to go overboard. You are already really strong."

Ash turned around and commented, "You haven't seen Paul or Cynthia in action. I have to train to beat Paul at the Sinnoh League, and Cynthia is still on a completely different level than me. I doubt I could take down a single one of her pokemon."

May seemed shocked and asked, "Is there anyone really that powerful?"

Ash nodded and Giselle asked uncertainly, "Are you talking about the Sinnoh Champion? The Cynthia. She's suppose to be the strongest Champion of all the regions."

Ash nodded and informed her, "Yes, that Cynthia. I've met her several times while traveling through Sinnoh. She even battled my rival Paul. Her Garchomp must be the strongest pokemon I've ever seen. It defeated four of Paul's pokemon with one shot each. Easily on the level of legendaries."

May seemed surprised, but Giselle interjected, "But she is coming to the Grand Festival."

Ash's head snapped around as he immediately questioned, "What? When? Why?"

Giselle seemed surprised by his outburst and claimed, "I don't know. Close to the end. She's suppose to be there for the award ceremony."

Ash felt his mouth hang open in shock. She was coming here. He was going to see Cynthia in a matter of days. How was he going to handle this?

When I reread my last chapter, I realized I did make Ash a little bit too vicious, so I decided to make the whole apology and explanation thing a big deal. Max I just decided to have come visit May

Hopefully Giselle romance will be in the next chapter. I planned it for like two chapters ago, but I just keep adding things in between.

Cynthia is coming, and why is Ash so panicked?