September 26th (Lilycove City, Hoenn)
(May's POV)
I woke up the next morning around 9:30 feeling incredibly sore. Not good. For one thing, I have that undercover mission tonight and second, how am I gonna hide this from everyone? Well, better take the meds before everyone gets up.
I got up and quickly put on the salve for the burns which were almost non-existent surprisingly, the berry potion for my throat which is burning like crazy, and the salve for my leg. I so need to get back into yoga and pilates otherwise my leg is gonna be an issue. I decided to stay in my red and white polka dotted pajama bottoms and red tank top with my wig in a messy bun. No point in changing especially since I said I wasn't going anyway, at least not until later.
I left my room and went into the kitchen to make myself some tea. I sat at the kitchen table and started going over the events that happened. For some odd reason, I felt solemn. I don't know if it came from Misty being hurt or just me having to deal with so much stress of trying to live a double life. Then I remembered what the voice said, "Find the prophecy on the walls in a cave at Mt. Coronet." I forgot about that yesterday, I'll have to look into it later.
"You okay Lin?" Drew asked as he stepped into the kitchen snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yea, I'm fine," I said calmly while setting my mug on the table.
"Your face says otherwise," he said as he took a seat perpendicular to me.
I gave a small smile while looking at my mug before turning to face him, "I'm just tired out from this past weekend and I'm concerned about Misty," I said tiredly which in truth wasn't a total lie.
"I'll agree it has been crazy," he said with a small smirk. "Do you have any more tea?"
I looked a bit surprised but nodded. He then stood up and got himself a mug before sitting back at the table.
"So what's up with you?" I asked teasingly. "You seemed really out of character last night."
He blushed slightly but said nothing and drank his tea, "Fine, don't tell me," I said playfully as I saw Dawn walk in.
"So what happened to you last night Dawn?" I asked teasingly. "You seemed to be in a good mood."
She blushed a little, "Nothing significant," she said before clapping a hand over her mouth causing my eye brow to go up while Drew smirked.
"So what happened in significance to you…Paul?" Drew asked teasingly with a smirk as he started to take a sip of tea.
Dawn blushed slightly again but then it suddenly was replaced with a smirk, "You're one to talk since your love life is getting extremely interesting these days," she said slyly causing Drew to almost choke on his tea making me grin in amusement.
"This is getting interesting," I said while everyone else came into the common area.
"What's getting interesting?" Leaf asked speaking for everyone's confusion.
"Nothing!" Drew and Dawn said shortly before glaring at each other indicating something did happen which caused me to chuckle.
While shaking my head in amusement, I noticed Misty, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm sore just as I said I would be though the salve you made last night helped a bunch," she said with a smile.
"You want some tea? It'll help with your soreness."
"I'll take anything reasonable that helps," she said as I got up. "Anyone else want some?"
Leaf nodded while the guys shook their heads no so I went into the kitchen to get a mug for Misty and Leaf.
"What's with adding reasonable to your statement, it sounds weird," Gary said while looking at Misty.
"I said it in that way because if I didn't, you would make some stupid comment with emphasis on anything," Misty said annoyed as she accepted the mug from me.
"Why would you think that I would say something like that?" Gary asked as I gave Leaf her mug.
"For two reasons Oak," Leaf said. "One, you're a perverted playboy. Second, your Gary, you just say comments like that anyway."
"She's got ya there dude," Drew said with a smirk.
Gary glared at him while I just stood there silently laughing. These guys are the best. They make life funny and interesting, actually, all this laughter is making me feel a lot better, guess laughter is the best medicine.
"You okay Lin?" Dawn asked.
I smiled, "I'm fine Dawn, I've just been in a thoughtful mood today," I said before turning to Misty, "How's the tea?"
I don't know how you do it Lin but I feel a lot less sore, thanks," she said gratefully with a smile.
"I'm glad it's helping, no one likes to feel sore," I said with a smile before a ball of pink fluff jumped into my arms scaring the crap out of me and making me yelp while causing Drew to smirk.
"Smirk all you want grasshead, I'd like you to see this happen to you," I snapped.
He flicked his fringe while still smirking, "It won't though because my pokemon are actually under control compared to yours," he said teasingly.
"Excuse me!" I yelled in annoyance but then smirked evilly while looking at Skitty, "Skitty you'll be forgiven for scaring me if you do something for me," I said in a sweet sly voice while giving her a wink.
"Nya," she said and hopped out of my arms to do a small thunderbolt at Drew's hair causing it to stick out all over.
"Now this is interesting," Dawn teased with a smirk while everyone had looks of amusement on their faces.
"Nya," Skitty complained causing me to turn my attention to him.
"Alright, you know the drill," I said while tossing some Pokeblock for her to slap with her tail while fixing some pokemon food in a dish. I then snapped my fingers allowing her to eat the Pokeblock while I set the dish before her.
"Show off," Drew said in annoyance due to his precious hair being shocked.
Skitty finished his pokemon food when a beeping noise started to play.
"Come on Skitty, let's brush your fur," I said while carrying her back to my room.
I set her on the bed and silently crept into the hall to listen in.
"Is the room secure?" Lance asked.
Technically no stupid. If it was secure, I wouldn't be listening in.
"Yeah, Lin went into her room to groom her pokemon," Misty said.
"Good, despite your poor actions from yesterday, I have a small task that I need you to do tonight," he said.
No, please no, not...
"I need you to go undercover at a museum gala tonight to protect the Lustrous Orb. We believe that Mars might try and steal it," Lance said.
Great, just great!
"Where is the gala being held and what do we do for blending in?" Leaf asked.
"The outfits will be delivered to you shortly and the gala is being held at the LaRousse City Museum where the orb is being borrowed for a short period before it is returned to Sinnoh," Lance explained. "Drew, your parents are sending the family jet for you guys to get there, good luck."
Hmm, so Drew's parents will be at the reception, interesting. I guess it makes sense cause Drew's parents would attend stuff like that being in high society and all.
The call ended and I quickly went back to my room leaving the door a crack open to listen in while starting to brush Skitty's fur to avoid suspicion.
"I think I'm gonna sit this mission out guys, I'm still sore from yesterday and a little bit shaken up from the whole experience," Misty said while taking a sip of tea.
"We understand Misty, I'll hang out with ya so you don't have to be here by yourself. Besides, five agents can handle protecting the orb," Ash said.
Everyone else smirked, "Is that the only reason you want to stay behind Ashy-boy," Gary teased.
"Shut up Gary, it would probably be best if someone is around. Misty might become paranoid being here alone," Ash retorted.
"Lin will be here though," Dawn said trying to prevent an argument from starting.
I stood up and walked in, "Actually, I won't. While you had your call, I got a message from the Pokemon Center asking if I can help out today."
Paul and Drew had suspicious looks, "What did you hear?" Paul asked.
"I heard that you guys needed to attend some family event or something and Misty doesn't feel up to going," I lied flawlessly.
"So I guess that settles it, Ash can stay behind with Misty," Leaf said bringing the discussion to a close.
"We better leave early in case we need to help with preparing for the event," Dawn pointed out.
Suddenly, there was a knocking at the door and Drew went to answer it. He then turned around with a bunch of dry clothes bags containing their outfits for tonight.
"We better get dressed for the event because it will take an hour or two to get there and we girls have to prepare," Dawn said shortly.
Leaf looked scared, "Can I back out of this?" she whimpered.
"Nope, come on Leaf," Dawn said happily while dragging her into Leaf and Misty's room along with their outfits.
"We'll wait, it doesn't take that long for us to get ready," Gary said with Drew and Paul nodding in agreement.
The guys went to play video games and I invited Misty to join me on the balcony since she was kinda kicked out of her room for the time being.
I saw that Misty had a distant look on her face, kinda like the one I always seem to show, "Misty, you okay?" I asked in concern.
She snapped out of it, "I guess I'm fine," she said quietly.
"Anything you want to talk about?"
She sighed, "I guess. First of all, I was kidnapped yesterday."
"Oh my gosh! Are you okay?" I asked urgently, playing along.
"Yes and no, I'm just shaken up from the whole incident and I kept having nightmares about it last night."
"Did they do more than hit you?" I asked hoping it wasn't.
She looked startled by my question, "No, no, they just slapped me hard a few times. I guess part of what bothers me so much is that I couldn't defend myself. I felt so small and useless, it goes against my personality. I hate being weak," she whispered harshly while her face contorted in anger.
I placed my hand on her shoulder in comfort causing her to sigh, "I guess another thing that bothers me is that a good friend of mine who helped rescue me got shot and banged up from a bomb. She took those hits to protect me and my friends. I don't understand how she can be so selfless," Misty said thoughtfully.
I was shocked to hear her say that though I didn't show it as she continued, "I wish I could see her again to personally thank her and ask how she can do that when she hardly knows us. I want to repay her for her act by being her friend because from the sound of it, she doesn't have many."
I felt tears started to well up but I shut my eyes and swallowed them down. I felt touched to know that she wanted to be my friend as me being May.
"It sounds like you really admire this friend for her actions."
"Yea, it's also fun to see her interact with Drew," she said while laughing.
We chatted for a short period before deciding to head in and watch TV with Ash while the other guys got ready. The time was around 2:30 when the guys came out dressed in their tuxes. I will admit that grasshead looked hot and quickly turned my head back at the TV while blushing slightly, but unfortunately Drew saw me blush causing him to smirk.
"Like what you see?" he asked slyly.
"Oh please, you're so full of yourself," I said nonchalantly while still staring at the TV.
I then heard a door open, "Dawn, I'm pretty sure you overdid it," Leaf whined.
"You look fine," Dawn said tiredly as if she had said this multiple times before as she dragged Leaf behind her.
Gary's jaw dropped in shock while Paul looked surprised scaring even me since he never showed emotion.
Dawn was dressed in a sleeveless pink taffeta dress with silver sequins making flower patterns on the bodice, glittery silver sandal heels, a silver necklace containing small diamond strands, her hair curled and put up in a loose bun.
Leaf was dressed in an emerald green sleeveless high-low dress with light turquoise and silver crystals outlining the top of the dress. She wore dark silver sandal heels, a light turquoise necklace outlined with small diamonds and her hair curled and pinned to the side.
Both girls had a small bit of makeup adding a nice touch along with wearing their pokemon charm bracelets.
Gary and Paul's reactions to how the girls looked was adorable, "We better get going, the jet is at the airport," Drew said while checking his poketch.
"Have fun girls, you look awesome by the way," I complimented before smirking looking at the guys. "Don't you think so Gary and Paul?"
They both snapped out of their phases while Leaf and Dawn blushed causing Misty, Ash, and I to laugh while Drew smirked.
I checked my poketch. Crap, I was supposed to be at the Pokemon Center five minutes ago to contact Max and get my stuff!
"I'll see you guys later, I'm running late," I said as I quickly rushed into my room to change and grab Blaziken's pokeball before going out of the dorm to the Pokemon Center.
After I arrived, I saw Brock at the front desk, "Thanks for letting me come here. It would have been risky for me to change at the dorm," I said gratefully.
"It's no problem May, use the back room. No one is here but me right now so you should be good," he said.
"Thanks Brock," I said and left for the room while calling Max on my poketch.
"Hey Max, sorry I'm late, I had to see something happen first before I could leave," I said apologetically.
"That's okay May, I have everything you right here. I'll have Kirlia teleport it to ya, then I'll explain the gadgets."
"Thanks Max," I said and a pile of stuff popped up next to me. There was a dry cleaner bag with a dress in it designed especially for me by Paris back in Sinnoh as an owed favor for saving her designs from thieves. The dress also came with low silver sandal strapped heels, diamond post earrings, and a short blond wig. I also saw a pair of green contacts, a pokeball holder necklace with a small blue crystal attached, an ear bud communicator, and a silver and diamond bracelet.
"Got the package May?"
"Yea, I got it, so you wanna explain the gadgets?"
"K, the contacts will cover your eye color as well as convert into scanned screens to help detect Mars. The bracelet controls the contacts, can show a holographic map of the museum and activate a taser. The small blue crystal will shrink your pokeball and make a hologram projection to alter some physical features and disguise your necklace into a silver and diamond twisted necklace with a Sapphire gem," he finished.
"Awesome job Max, thanks," I praised.
"Also, your ride will pick up in front of the center in fifteen minutes to take you to the airport. From there, Juan will give you a ride in his jet. Then from there, Jack will pick you up from there in a limo to take you to the party. I also added your name to the guest list. You are Megan Blackwood, an assistant to Professor Carolina who agreed you could use that cover since you did read her research," Max teased.
"It was very interesting and it paid off," I protested.
"Whatever you say May, good luck," he said in a sing-song way as he signed off.
I took out the dress that looked extremely pretty and fit my really well. The dress was sapphire blue with the skirt a few inches above floor length with the sides having slits a little above mid-thigh making it possible for me to fight if need be. The top was one shoulder on the right side with silver rhinestones covering the shoulder strap along with silver rhinestones on my left side in a sunburst appearance.
After I finished dressing, I made my way to the front to find my ride there. I was taken to the airport to find Juan waiting outside of his jet. We then went inside and found ourselves shortly taking off.
"Thanks for the ride Juan," I said gratefully.
"It is no problem May, it's the least I could do after you helped saved my pokemon from almost being injured in that one contest appeal."
"I'm glad I was able to help. One small favor, in this appearance unless my cover gets blown, my name is Megan," I said with a smile.
"Of course," he nodded.
I turned to look out the window, time to sit and enjoy the flight.
(LaRousse City, Hoenn)
(Drew's POV)
The ride to LaRousse City was fine though an awkward tension was in the air for everyone else so they were quiet. After we landed, mom and dad sent a limo to the airport to bring us to the museum. They would arrive when everyone else would. After we got there, we decided to use the earbud communicators that May had given us from yesterday though Gary messed with them to change the frequency so no one could hear us. We then came up with a game plan and before we knew it, people started to arrive.
"Geez, everyone seems to be here," Dawn said while looking around the room.
Gym leaders along with Elite Four members and many other well know people though some I didn't know. While scanning the crowd, I spotted my parents along with my little sister Lizzy. A second later, they spotted me and walked over with Lizzy leading the way.
"What are you doing home, I thought you were going to compete in the Rustboro contest in a few days?" I asked Lizzy.
"I decided to take a short break and come home. Plus, I do have three ribbons right now and there are a bunch of contests left," she reminded. "Why are you here, don't you have school tomorrow?"
"I'm here on business," I said shortly.
"Well you're no fun," she pouted.
"Drew, it's good to see you son," dad said as he walked up with mom.
"Thanks for the ride."
"It was no problem, now you and your friends just have to protect the orb," mom said.
"So that's why you're here," Lizzy smirked.
I heard people gasp and then turned to see what they were looking at and my eyes widen. A girl about my age with short blond hair in a beautiful blue dress came in.
"Someone's caught your eye," Lizzy teased while smirking.
"Shut up!" I snapped.
(May's POV)
I finally arrived in front of the museum and as soon as I walked in, people began to stare at me which was a little uncomfortable.
"May, you okay, what's going on?" Max asked.
"My dress caught a lot of attention. Anyway, I'll start sweeping for people, you check using the cameras," I directed.
I started to make my way around and then spotted three people with green hair and a blonde woman, that must be Drew and his family. I quickly stepped into another room and turned on the infrared contacts to scan the building. I didn't see anything suspicious so I decided to stay in the room by the orb.
Soon Drew's little sister came up, "Hi my name is Lizzy Hayden, who are you?" she asked politely.
At least she was a lot nicer than grasshead, I smiled, "My name is Megan Blackwood."
"I don't think I've seen you before, are you from around here?"
"No, I'm from Sinnoh actually, I'm an assistant under Professor Carolina," I explained. "Though I have seen you participate in some of the Hoenn contests and you're pretty good," I complimented. It was true, I did watch some contests and she did well in the ones she participated in.
"Thanks, though I still have my work cut out for me. It's hard to live in the shadow of family who are Top Coordinators," she said sadly.
"You'll make it up there, keeping practicing and working with your pokemon."
"Thanks, I'll introduce you to my family after I find them," she said and left the room to start looking for them.
I saw Dawn enter the room and when she turned her head, I saw that she had an earbud communicator. I mentally facepalmed, I forgot I gave those to them yesterday.
"Max can you hack me into the same frequency as everyone else, I wanna have some fun with them," I said slyly.
"Umm….okay, just hit the diamond and it will switch the frequency to them off and on."
"Thanks Max," I said and pressed the gem to switch the frequency while walking into another room.
"Hey guys, fancy seeing you here," I teased. nice to see you back in the field despite yesterday," I said honestly.
"May, is that you?" Dawn asked in surprise.
I laughed, "The one and only."
"Should've figured you'd be here," grasshead muttered.
"Why are you here, you took quite a beating yesterday," Gary said.
"Nothing keeps me down for the count," I said firmly before softening my tone some, "It's good to see you all are okay despite yesterday."
"So where are you?" Leaf asked.
I smirked "That is for me to know," I teased before changing the topic. "Anyway, be cautious. Mars is gonna try to blend in. She won't be so bold like Saturn was so keep an eye out."
"Seriously though, where are you?" Dawn asked.
I silently laughed and pressed the gem to switch the frequency off, well that was fun. I then saw Lizzy come back with Drew and their parents.
"This was the girl I was telling you about, she's an assistant under Professor Carolina," Lizzy explained.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," I greeted, "My name is Megan Blackwood."
"My name is Christopher Hayden. This is my wife Jennifer, my son Drew, and you already met my daughter Lizzy," he introduced.
Drew's dad had green hair like his but it was a darker shade though they shared the same eyes. Drew's mom had blonde hair like my wig and dark green eyes while Lizzy had the same hair as Drew though she had her mother's eyes.
"So what research are you working on right now?" Jennifer asked.
"Right now I'm helping Professor Carolina with her research in studying the Lustrous Orb and its connection to the Veilstone Meteorites," I explained.
After saying this, I saw a suspicious person going upstairs. A woman wearing a black and white dress with a black wig that looked a little out of place. I quickly turned on the contacts to see that it was Mars.
I switched the contacts back to normal, "If you'll excuse me please," I said politely and started to follow Mars upstairs but lost her once I reached the top, crap.
I hit the gem to change the frequency, "Mars is on the move, she is disguised in a black and white dress with a black wig that seems a bit off. I lost her upstairs. Max, notify security and keep eyes on her," I commanded.
"May, behind you!" Max shouted causing me to turn my head and jump down a few stairs to avoid the hit. She took another swipe causing me to back flip down a few more stairs making my wig to fall off.
"Now!" Mars shouted and a bunch of grunts revealed themselves.
Crap! "You guys go after the grunts, I'll take care of Mars," I said annoyed.
"Blaziken let's go!" I shouted while throwing his pokeball breaking the holographic illusion the necklace gave.
"Go Purrugly!" Mars shouted.
"Blaziken, you know what to do," I said as I avoided a punch from Mars.
Out of all of Team Galactic's secondary commanders, Mars was the only one who knew how to use some martial arts though she wasn't as good as Domino.
I started to fight back by swinging my leg out to make her fall. Meanwhile the gang fought against the grunts' Golbat and quickly knocked them out along with the grunts before they started to tie them up. Then Blaziken knocked out Purrugly leaving only me and Mars the only ones fighting while an audience started gathering around the outskirts of the room and others peeking in from other wings of the museum.
Mars then knocked me on the ground, but I did a backwards roll to avoid getting jabbed by her knee. I swung my leg out to knock her down again, but she dodged and pushed me back into the wall. I stood up and did a forward flip to get on the staircase and started to climb up. She came after me and pushed me to the ground while trying to punch me in the face, but missed and hit the floor causing her to cry in pain. I then used my legs to push her off me making her tumble down the stairs.
She suddenly stood up and grabbed Lizzy with a knife in her hand, "Let me leave and I won't kill her," she threatened menacingly causing Lizzy to cry in fear.
"Drop the knife," I said in a serious voice while going down the stairs slowly.
"Then let me leave," she argued.
Lizzy started to struggle a bit causing Mars to move with her. I saw an opening on her neck and quickly aimed my wrist at Mars and activated the taser. Mars dropped the knife and released Lizzy while starting to shake violently.
After a few more seconds, I stopped the flow of shock for her to go limp, "Max, get Officer Jenny down here please," I said as I walked up to her and grabbed her hands to go behind her back so she couldn't escape.
A few minutes later, Officer Jenny came along with many of her officers to round up Team Galactic and take control of the situation. After I finished explaining what happened to one of her officers, Lizzy gave me a hug.
"Thanks for saving me!" she said with her face damp with tears from crying earlier.
Her family came up behind her, "We are extremely grateful for saving our daughter," Christopher said while his wife nodded in agreement."
"I suppose I should thank you as well," Drew said arrogantly with a smirk.
"If it's from you, I think I'll pass," I said while putting my hand up to stop him.
I saw Mars being taken away, but a smile of evil pleasure on her face caused me to frown. After thinking about and facing her before I remember that she had a calling card, what was it?
"May are you okay?" Lizzy asked concerned.
My face then had a look of horror. Oh my Mew! Her calling card is a bomb!
"Max, connect me to the city BRS (Bomb Removal Squad) in exactly one minute and pull up all explosives that Mars has used in the past!" I yelled/whispered rather quickly while walking toward the main area.
"Leaf, Dawn, Paul, Gary, and Drew meet me in the main area now!" I whispered in command.
Soon everyone came while Drew looked ticked, "What the heck was that for?" he asked angrily.
I gave him a glare, "This is not the time Drew, we are about to have a repeat of yesterday," I said hurriedly while Max dialed the BRS number for me and I heard ringing in my ear.
"No matter what happens, help people get out of here along with yourselves," I said hurriedly.
"A repeat of what?" Dawn asked in confusion.
"LaRousse City Bomb Removal Squad," a voice said as the ringing stopped.
"I want to report a code yellow; I repeat code yellow," I said hurriedly.
After I said this the gang looked in concern.
"Where is your location?"
"The LaRousse City Museum," I said hurriedly.
"We'll be there in ten minutes," the voice said then hung up.
"Ugh!" I shouted in frustration and ran to Officer Jenny.
"Officer Jenny you need to have everyone be evacuated right now, there is a bomb somewhere in this building that will go off anytime!" I whispered urgently.
"How do you know there is one?" she asked.
I internally groaned that everyone was moving too slowly for my liking, "Because a bomb is Mars' calling card so start evacuating!" I said hurriedly.
"Everyone, can you please exit the building in a calmly fashion, we need to do more investigating inside," Officer Jenny quickly announced.
"May, what do you mean there's a bomb?" Dawn said a little too loudly.
"A bomb?!" someone shouted and that's when all hell broke loose.
I glared at her, "Thanks for the announcement!" I snapped.
"Sorry but seriously, another bomb," she said in a panicked voice.
"Yes, now listen. Dawn you check the left wing on the main floor for any people. Paul you check the right. Leaf you check the upstairs left. Gary you check the upstairs right. Drew you get your family out of here and have your sister taken to a hospital, she might go into shock from the events tonight. When everyone is gone, you get out yourselves, I've got to disable that bomb," I instructed.
I pulled up a holographic map of the museum, "Max have the scans picked up anything?" I asked hurriedly.
"Yes, the bomb is on the main floor in the north wing. This area was sealed off from the party tonight," he said quickly and put a dot of where the bomb was located.
I quickly went to the area where the dot was. Thankfully, the bomb was easy to spot. It had two small cans of gasoline with multiple-colored wires attached to seven sticks of dynamite that was on a timer. It said two minutes and ten seconds.
I gasped, "Max, what do I do?!"
"I don't know May, I haven't figured that part out yet," he said in a panicked voice while the timer kept ticking down.
What do I do now?!