Well of course thanks for the reviews that you guys sent last time. But just to let you know even though I thought that the last chapter was emotional, this one takes it to a whole other aspect. Enjoy.
It was early in the morning when Eevee and Pikachu came back to the suite. As they entered Pikachu looked on at the other Pokémon worriedly as she walked through the sliding glass door. Even though her body was rather stiff and tired the young Pokémon was high in spirits, rubbing up against Pikachu as she passed by him earning a content smile and a soft nudge back from the electric mouse.
Looking back over the room they could tell that Ash was still fast asleep, barely even having changed position from when they left. A few incoherent sentences were all that came from him as he began to talk in his sleep, accompanied of course with a big smile as he then turned and fell silent once again.
Yet Eevee could pick up another sound coming from the suite, and it was coming from May's room. Taking a quick glance at Pikachu, she could tell that he too heard it and walking up to the door the sounds only became louder. Confused as to what they could be Eevee quietly opened the door and headed inside. What she witnessed came as a complete shock.
Expecting her trainer to be just mumbling in her sleep, what Eevee found she never would have guessed. Clothes were strewn around the whole room covering up much of the floor, a few Pokéballs were lying about, and even her case of prized Johto Ribbons was open with its contents spilled out on the floor. Taking a few steps into the room Eevee felt her paw land on something hard, lifting it up she could feel a tinge of horror as she realized exactly what she stepped on. It was May's Terracotta Ribbon, the one she won with Ash. Eevee knew that if it was on the floor with the rest of her possessions there had to be something wrong.
And sure enough to her dismay she was correct. The worst was yet to come as she looked over to the bed where the sounds were emanating from. Eevee could feel her heart break in two as to what she saw. There in the middle of the bed, fully clothed and still on top of the covers, was May. She was curled up into a ball, muffled sobs escaping from the pillow that she held next to her. Her usually beautiful brown hair was a mess, completely tangled and out of place. It looked as if she hadn't even fallen asleep at all that night.
Truth be told the poor coordinator hadn't. After finally realizing the reality behind how she felt about Ash, May could do nothing but cry her pain away. By now there wasn't a single tear left to come out of her eyes but even that couldn't stop the sorrow and grief that still had a hold of her.
Eevee couldn't believe what she saw. The trainer that was normally so energetic and willing to go anywhere or take on anyone was now reduced to nothing more than a weeping ball. The sight of everything around her brought a major pain of guilt rushing through her body. While she was out enjoying the night with Pikachu she had left her trainer all alone to this misery. No, trainer wasn't even the right word for it; that girl had looked over her since before she even knew what the world was. Eevee heard her voice before she could even open her eyes; talking to her all the time, a soothing and caring voice that imprinted itself permanently into her memory. Every time that melodic tone hit her ears she could feel herself squirm with delight. She was there when her egg finally hatched and to the young Pokémon's enjoyment the first thing she laid eyes on was the one person that she already recognized. It didn't matter who she was or what she was like, to her mother would be the only definition that could even start to tell how much that girl meant to her. And because she had let her mother stay like that for hours on end was something that she just couldn't even stand.
Virtually even forgetting about Pikachu, Eevee rushed up onto the bed. But as soon as she got there she hesitated. Considering everything Eevee was actually doubtful that May would be happy to see her. Yet hearing another muffled wail coming from the brunette she put all of those fears behind her as she gathered the courage to finally face her mother.
"Eevee," she said softly as she took a few more tentative steps forward.
Finally looking up from her pillow May could only stare at what was on the bed with her. It was then that Eevee noticed that her eyes were completely blood-shot from all the tears. The sight of which only made her feel worse.
"Eevee? Eevee is it really you?"
"Vee," she confirmed softly, taking another step forward, her head down and tail between her legs.
"It is you," May nearly whispered. "It really is you, oh Eevee!"
The Pokémon was quite surprised by May's sudden movement but it was to grab her and take hold of her soft body. May pulled her partner up close to her while falling back down on the pillow. Without even realizing it the coordinator was squeezing her partner with far more force than she intended and Eevee was quite uncomfortable, but even still she didn't give the slightest bit of resistance to it. Eevee felt as though she should be punished for her actions that night and even knowing that May would never do anything like that she still couldn't shake the feeling that that's what she deserved. If anything this could at least be the start of it. Snuggling deeper into her mother's arms Eevee just tried to console her as much as she possibly could.
"Oh Eevee I was wrong, I was completely wrong. It was no simple crush that I had for Ash," May cried into not only the pillow but on Eevee herself. "You were right, somehow I always knew that you were right but didn't want to face it. I'm so sorry Eevee but I feel so helpless. Even if I know and understand all of this it doesn't make me feel even one bit happier. I still have my promise to keep with Dawn to try and get her and Ash together but I just don't know how to deal with it anymore. I can stand seeing them together but knowing that they will one day confess their love for each other is just more than I can bear. The thought just won't get out of my head; I just keep seeing them over and over again. I've gotten to the point where I'm almost wishing that I never met him in the first place. Ash Ketchum, the boy who took me under his wing and showed me the world and all of the wonders that it held, the same boy who I care so deeply about I now want to just completely forget him. Sure I would be forsaking all these memories of the great times we had together but this pain that I'm feeling is just too much for me. I've cried and cried and it just isn't getting any better, that image is still there and no matter how much I try it isn't going away. Eevee what should I do?"
Unable to answer her, the Evolution Pokémon could only try and comfort the distraught coordinator. The extent of human emotions was completely unknown to her so even if she understood everything a definite answer would have still been impossible. Giving a small lick to her face Eevee just lay there with her mother, feeling just as powerless for not being able to help stop her grief.
It was then that even she could feel the tears starting to come to her as well. She would give her life several times over if only to see May with a smile on her face but there was nothing that she could do to help her mother when she needed her the most. And what as worse was that during that moment she had the time of her life as May lay here. She swore from that moment on that if worse comes to worse she would be the one there for her mother for the rest of her life, no other person or Pokémon would make her hesitate on that anymore. Even though as she made this vow Eevee understood that it even included her new mate.
Pikachu watched the entire incident, heartbroken at not only seeing one of his best humans friends in that state but to see Eevee break down right next to her as well. He had made his own pledge that he would try and protect her from any and all pain yet even this was something out of his ability to handle. Looking down he noticed the ribbon that was lying on the floor, still glowing from the soft moonlight filtering in through the window. On a whim he grabbed the item in his mouth and bounded up onto the bed as well, dropping the ribbon right next to May.
"Huh, Pikachu? Why are you here?" May asked as she wiped her face with her shirt and looked up at the apologetic mouse. Noticing what he had brought May could actually feel a smile come to her face as she pulled him in as well, though now actually aware enough to keep from crushing him. "Thank you Pikachu. I don't know what came over me last night but I nearly damaged the one item that I treasure the most out of everything that I've received during my time away from home."
With the two Pokémon in her arms and her ribbon in her hand May finally began to calm down as she felt the tears starting to stop. Just having somebody to pour her emotions out to and the symbol of her love back in her hand was enough for the image of Ash and Dawn to leave her head. Finally free of the nightmare, if only for a moment, May felt the effects of her sleepless night start to take their toll. In moments she was fast asleep, neither a smile nor a frown present on her face as she drifted off holding her ribbon tightly in one hand.
Looking up at her mate Eevee couldn't even start to find the words to thank him for what he did. Giving him a quick lick on the cheek she snuggled back into her mother's caring arms and fell fast asleep.
Surprised at Eevee's actions, Pikachu could only stare at her for a moment before it all started to sink in. The idea of having somebody this close to him was new and he was still trying to get used to it, but at the same time he was beginning to crave just having her next to him. Knowing that he was the one to calm down not only May but her as well only made him feel even more proud of his actions.
Finding the clock Pikachu saw that it was almost five in the morning. Usually Pikapi got up in another few hours and would find that his partner isn't next to him, but at this point Pikachu had different priorities. Finding his own spot in May's arms the Electric-type began to relax as well. Giving off a big yawn he joined his two companions in their dreamy state.
"May are you awake?"
Knocking on her door Ash could only wonder why she was still in there. It was past noon and in all the time that they traveled with each other he could never remember her sleeping in this late.
"Oh just go in there to check on her Ash," Dawn told him from the sofa as she watched one of her favorite soap operas. "Even if she was asleep then that would mean that she is under the covers and everything. Every girl needs her beauty sleep from time to time and May is no exception."
Ash groaned a bit at her response. While the reasoning made sense, for the most part at least, the fact that Pikachu also wasn't around was also bothering him. He knew that more than likely he was just in there with May as this wasn't the first time that something like this has happened, but he still couldn't shake the worried feeling. Besides with Buneary consistently making glances over at May's door it was just another reason for him to guess that's where he was. She and Eevee could always find Pikachu no matter where he was and Ash found himself relying on their skills on a few occasions.
"Alright May I'm just going to peek in for a second," he finally said. Gulping at the thought of getting hit with something after seeing her half-naked the trainer opened the door slowly.
Looking into the room his eyes went wide with what they saw. He had never seen May that messy before and could see all of the clothes scattered around the floor. But with the minimal light coming in from the closed curtains he missed a few of the other pieces that could have given a true warning as to what happened. Gazing at the bed he let out a sigh of relief as he saw May sleeping there with Eevee and Pikachu. Smiling at the scene he quietly closed the door and returned to his spot on the couch.
"So?" Dawn asked.
"She's still asleep, with Eevee and Pikachu currently likewise in her arms."
"See I told you that it was fine. But why is Pikachu in there with her?"
Shrugging Ash just looked back at the TV. "Don't know, but this isn't the first time that he's joined May in the middle of the night. He's done it a few times before while we were still traveling together and he never did tell me why." Sighing as some unknown plot-point was obviously uncovered in the soap opera Ash looked over at Dawn. "Can we please change the channel? These things are so boring; I don't know how you can even watch them."
Without taking her eyes away from the screen Dawn held up and waved the remote control a couple of times. "When you have the remote you can choose what we watch, but right now I get that privilege."
Not truly caring about who got the remote, the discussion about the other Pokémon perked Buneary's ears up instantly. The thought of Pikachu and her rival sleeping in that close of proximity didn't bode well for her. Nervously she looked back at the door wondering if anything happened last night that she missed. It was at that point that she actually truly felt her chance for Pikachu starting to slip away.
It was still another hour before May finally opened her eyes and let out a big yawn. Seeing that the two Pokémon were still asleep with her, she tried to get up without waking them. Heading for the bathroom the brunette quickly realized how bad she looked after one glance in the mirror. Last night had not been pleasant for her and it showed, her hair was a complete mess and her eyes were still quite red and puffy. At that point she was just glad that there was no reason to wear make-up last night or otherwise it would have been running as well. Starting up the shower May knew that she had a lot to think about as she began to get ready for the day.
About another half-hour later May stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel and started to try and find some clothes to wear for the day.
As she was rummaging through the small piles she could hear some yawning and stretching coming from the bed. Sure enough Pikachu and Eevee were both starting to wake up as well.
"Sorry if I was too loud you two," May told them with a small smile.
"Vee!"
Jumping up onto her trainer's shoulder Eevee was overjoyed to see her finally more-or-less back to normal.
"Alright, alright I get it Eevee. Now stop that you know that tickles," May got out as her partner started to rub against her face.
Finally finding something to wear May headed back to the bathroom to change and finish up her morning routine. Brushing her hair back into the position that she had it in since the beginning of the trip May looked into the mirror with a half-heated smile knowing that she would have to tell those two first.
Walking back into the room she sat down on the bed. Seeing Eevee rubbing up against Pikachu while giving off content purrs told May a good portion of what must have happened between them last night while they were gone.
"So you two are finally together huh?" After getting an exuberant nod from her own Pokémon and a somewhat self-conscious one from the other, May felt that she had definitely accomplished one goal while here. "Well I'm happy to hear that, it's just too bad that I have some disappointing news for you two."
The way that she said it quickly caught Eevee's attention and Pikachu's as well. Her mother was still smiling at them but it wasn't her normal one. Eevee could tell that she wasn't going to like what was going to be coming next.
"After sleeping on it and thinking it over in the shower I've made my decision about Ash." Taking a deep breath May averted her eyes form the two of them and looked down at her feet. "I've decided that after I've done what I can to help them out tonight I'll be leaving for Petalburg in the morning, and after that Sinnoh."
Both Pokémon's eyes shot open at her statement, neither was ever expecting to hear that coming from May.
"I know now that I do truly love Ash with all of my heart, but I would just be getting in the way between him and Dawn. I also know that she feels the same way that I do towards him and from what I can see he too feels that way towards her. If I stay not only will I be putting myself through more torture by looking at them together but I'll be hindering their own from blossoming. I've chosen Sinnoh because out of every region I know that one is the most unlikely for him to go to after we are done here. Seeing his face again will only bring back these feelings and I don't want to have to suffer through another night like that. While I don't want to completely forget him, I do want to try and put him aside so that we both can move on with our lives. At least until I can get these feelings under control again. Besides, Mom has always said that the biggest happiness is in seeing someone you really like stay happy."
Finally looking back over at the two of them they could both see a few new tears making their way onto her face. "But there is one thing that I can't truly decide on, because it would be completely unfair for me to do so. Now that you two are together I don't want to force you apart. And knowing that you would never abandon Ash, Pikachu, I've decided to leave Eevee here with you and your trainer. I know that out of everyone I could entrust her to he would be able to do it better than anyone. I mean, heck, it's partially because of that that I found myself pulled towards him in the first place."
At first the words didn't even sink in as to what she just heard. Eevee was completely speechless; her mother was planning on leaving her. But it was for her sake that she was leaving. Not because she didn't care or thought that she was a burden but because she was worried about splitting her and Pikachu up. Eevee could see the pain in her mother's eyes as she told them her plan and could easily see not only the sincerity but the uncertainty as well. It was because she cared almost too much that she came to this decision, always putting others first and loyal almost to a fault.
The Evolution Pokémon quickly shook her head, not only to keep the tears from coming again but to show her disapproval of May's plan.
"Eve!" She called out jumping back into her mother's caring arms. She made her vow to stay with May no matter what and not even a direct order would make her brake that.
"Eevee?" May was confused as to why her Pokémon leapt back into her arms. "Don't you want to stay with Pikachu? I'm doing this just so that you can…"
"Vee!" She called out, violently shaking her head while digging deeper into May's grasp.
"But Eevee…"
She stopped as she felt her arm begin to get wet. It didn't take the coordinator long to realize that Eevee was actually crying as she refused to move. The small Pokémon was even beginning to tremble slightly as May just sat there.
At that point May realized that no matter what she said Eevee wouldn't go along with what she had said. She was determined to stay with her and even chained to Ash she would probably find a way out. Actually somewhat happy with her decision May brought Eevee into an embrace.
"Alright then, for the same reason that I came up with that idea I won't force you to do anything that you don't want to do. If you want to stay with me then I'm not going to stop you. But what about Pikachu?"
Looking over at the mouse May couldn't tell what he was thinking as he silently watched.
As of last night Pikachu knew that even he couldn't currently contend with May for Eevee's affection. And it was only to be expected, they had just formed their new bond last night while May was there from the beginning, and yet he had no problem with this. The real problem was with himself. He too made a promise and didn't want to break it. Pikapi meant the world to him but this was something completely different. He couldn't explain it but it was there, and seeing Eevee literally trembling in May's arms made his decision. Of which he even surprised himself with.
Calmly walking over to the two of them Pikachu made his way next to Eevee and curled up with her in May's arms. Peering up at him through watery eyes, the Normal-type couldn't believe what she was seeing. Through his motions, his eyes, and even his posture Eevee knew what he was thinking. She was willing to give up something that had just started but he…
"Pikachu, what… Don't tell me that you would actually want to come with us." May couldn't even consider the thought of it even happening. But after looking up at her and give a firm nod of his head, he went right back down to lying next to Eevee, who by this time had stopped shaking completely. "I can't believe it, but…no. I could never do that to Ash. I know that you mean way too much to him and vice versa, I just can't take away one of his most precious friends and come away with a clean conscience. I'm sorry Pikachu but I can't allow you to do this. No matter the cost."
Picking him up May was about to put him back on the bed when she felt several small points of pressure on her index finger. Looking down the small mouse was once again defying all of her logic. Pikachu had his teeth on her finger, not biting down but just enough to show that he didn't want to move. The look in his eyes was evident of him pleading to allow him to make the choice.
The thought of hurting May was almost as troubling as leaving his Pikapi but he had made up his mind and no one would change it. He hoped with all his might that she would put him back down because he didn't want to have to bite down, but he had set his resolve and if there was one thing that he got from his trainer in all those years together it was his stubborn sense of determination.
He breathed a deep sigh of relief when he felt May put him back down in her lap. Quickly looking over at Eevee he could tell that she was somewhat disappointed in him from his actions but relieved as well. He had chosen his path and at this point he knew that there was little chance of him changing his mind.
"Guess you are just as determined as Eevee is." Rubbing where his teeth were moments ago May couldn't even see a mark as to where they were. "Then if you too have made up your mind I can't stop you. I just hope that you know what you are doing."
Looking back at the door he could clearly see his Pikapi in his mind. Of anyone here he knew better than anyone what the outcome of everything should be. He could only hope that Ash knew as well. If Pikapi didn't face his fears soon then he could lose two precious friends. And the last thing Pikachu wanted to do was to look back remembering having to choose between his mate and his oldest friend and trainer.
Okay so I know that some of you aren't going to be happy with the way that I portrayed May and possibly Pikachu but I ask you to remember their situations that they find themselves in. More so for May. Other than that thanks for reading and I hope to see reviews from all of you.