Sea Princess

Drew's POV

'Happy!' Manaphy called loudly, 'Happy love you! Happy!' I tried to ignore it. I wished I could take him and bring him to May and make her smile, but I knew that would be rubbing salt in the wound. I found her, curled up in a ball resting against the hallway wall. Her arms were curled around her knees. She had taken out her bandana and was fiddling with it between her fingers. I knelt down next to her as she looked up.

"Hey," I said quietly.

"Drew," she cried, her voice breaking.

"I know it's gonna be hard," I comforted, "but I'll be here for you." May's eyes filled with tears. She moved closed and tucked herself into me just as her tears spilled over. I put my arms around her, wishing that I could do more to take away her pain. She nuzzled her face deeper into my chest and I felt her moist tears soak through my t-shirt.

"It's ok to cry," I said, rocking her gently.

"Drew," she sobbed, clinging to me. I leaned down and rubbed my face in her hair. If I could, I would've taken some of her pain, but that was impossible. Sure Manaphy going away might hurt me too, but I was not nearly half as attached to the little blue Pokémon as May was. I couldn't begin to imagine what she was feeling, but I wanted her to know that I was here and I wouldn't have to leave. Not again.

"It's ok," I murmured, "you'll be ok."

"What have I done?" she cried, "Poor Manaphy."

"He'll be alright as well," I assured, "you know Manaphy is strong."

"I know that," she sniffed, "b-but." She stopped as more sobs took control of her body.

"It's alright, just let it all out," I whispered. I continued to gently rock her as she cried again. I held her tightly; the only thing I could do.

"I'm sorry Drew," she said eventually, wiping her eyes and her nose, "I've made you t-shirt all damp."

"It's alright," I shrugged, "it's just material right?" She smiled slightly. Well that was start.

"Hey May," I called softly.

"Mm," she mumbled, looking up at me. We'd just been sitting together; May still curled against me as she calmed herself down.

"You know you were the only one who could've hatched Manaphy. Don't blame yourself for getting attached to him and him to you."

"Why?" she asked, "How?" I had to explain it now.

"Only one of royal blood can hatch Manaphy," I replied.

"What's that got to do with me?" she asked. I sighed. I'd have to start from the very beginning.

"You wanna know why I had to go undercover for the last 6 months?" I asked.

"Yes. What was your mission?" She asked.

"My mission was to protect you," I answered, "It was my first mission and I've been doing it ever since."

"Me?" she questioned, "Why would I need protecting? Hang on. If you were supposed to guard me, why were you always teasing me and driving me away."

"I had to," I said, "I had to push you away or might've been put in more danger from being associated with me. Being a Pokémon ranger sometimes means you create enemies and those enemies will do anything to break you. If you got too close you might've been in harm's way."

"Oh right, I get it," she said softly, "but seriously, why would I need protecting?"

"It's time you knew May," I said, "You can handle the truth now."

"Knew what?" she asked.

"You're special May," I answered, "You don't know it, but you are."

"How so?" she asked.

"You're the sea princess." Her eyes widened.

"Me?" she squeaked.

"Yes you," I confirmed.

"Then how come I haven't known?" she asked, "What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to bring peace?"

"Settle down May, that's not all I have to say," I said.

"Oh, what else is there then?" she asked.

"You would've known what to do, where to go and things like that, but you were found out," I explained, "people found out you were the sea princess when you were very young. To protect you from the people who were coming after you, the Pokémon rangers gave you something to give you amnesia. You wouldn't remember anything and grow up like a normal human, which you did. When the time came, I was sent to protect you from the people who had started to prey on you again."

"How would that've helped me?" she asked, "If I didn't know what to do, wouldn't that disrupt what had to happen in the ocean and stuff."

"They already thought of that," I answered, "You see, you were the only one found out. You have an older sibling."

"Older sibling?" she repeated, "but that can't be right. Max is my only brother and he's definitely younger than me."

"You do have an older sibling," I confirmed, "but you two were separated into two different families so they would be protected. People wouldn't know your sibling. It's that older sister or brother of yours that is the rightful heir to make peace."

"I still don't understand," she said, "If my older sibling is the one to take over, wouldn't they go for them?"

"They don't know who your older sibling is," I replied, "no-one does except that person themselves. And you May. Even though you can't remember anything, you will one day be able to reveal who that person is."

"Oh."

"Yeah…But don't worry about it," I said, "It will come naturally." She nodded and went back to silence.

"So Drew?" she said eventually, "tell me about being a Pokémon ranger. You told me about my life, so why don't you tell me about yours? What's it like being a ranger? How did you become a ranger?" I was surprised. I didn't expect her to take the news so well or so quickly.

"Well, being a ranger can be fun," I said slowly, "You get missions to protect all different Pokémon and aspects of nature. It can be dangerous. Like I said before, there are people out there that don't take too kindly to being stopped. You form enemies on the way, but that can't be helped. But I've really enjoyed being a ranger for the most part."

"For the most part?" she repeated, a question in her voice.

"The Pokémon rangers brought me up. They raised me at the headquarters. My mum was one and my dad was the leader. I had no choice, but to agree to be a Pokémon ranger."

"Oh."

"But it's ok," I continued, "it was kind of interesting. I said that I was a ranger since I was 11 right? Well that was a lie. I guess I've been a ranger all my life. I grew up, watching you. They monitored you very closely. By the time I was five, they threw me straight into a vigorous training session. When I was ten, they sent me out into the world like every other normal parent and for that year, and that year only, I got to experience what it was like to be a real kid. I was given my starting Pokémon like every other kid, a Budew and I set out. I raised her myself. No help at all, until she finally evolved. I caught my Butterfree and then I headed out to start contests. I almost won. Solidad thought I was crying because of the loss, when really I was kind of saddened that I had to quit. I was told I was naturally good at it. I came back and then they told me that it was time to start. My mission would be to protect you. Because I was the same age as you, they found it would be easier for me. They sent me out to Slateport, where I would meet up with you. You wouldn't believe how happy I was to find out you were a Pokémon coordinator. It meant I could still enter contests, but from our first meeting, I had to keep my distance from you. I'm sorry for that."

"Oh Drew," she sighed, "I didn't know. So all that arrogance was an act?"

"Don't get me wrong May," I said quickly, "I haven't changed a bit. I was still me then, I'm still me now. I guess it was a good thing that I bothered you so much." She grinned at me.

"I don't think you're really that arrogant," she said.

"Oh yeah, what makes you so sure?" I challenged. She giggled and snuggled closer.

"Easy," she whispered, "You're actually a big softly who cares a lot. You're showing me now."

"Do you want me to go back?" I asked.

"No."

"Then don't you dare tell anyone about this," I laughed, "you could ruin my image. I still need that you know."

"Ok, just asking. How long will you have to protect me?" she asked, "When does this mission stop."

"May," I said softly, "My mission officially stops once the heir has taken control, but I will never stop protecting you May."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

May's POV

I kept thinking about what Drew had said. He'd been protecting me almost my entire life. Even before I knew him, he'd still been watching me. I was the sea princess and I had an older brother or sister that I didn't even know about. Something told me it was a girl though. Wow today had been a big day. First a kiss, then a heartbreak and then information overload. I sighed heavily as I changed into my pyjamas. I would be sleeping inside tonight. It would be lonely without Manaphy cuddled with me. I was just about to go to bed when something stopped me. A soft tune. I walked up to my window, hypnotized by its soothing sound. I looked out. Close by, on a little rock was Manaphy. His mouth was opened wide and he was facing the moon. He was singing. Dark shapes grouped around him. Curious I headed down to the underwater viewing platform. I gasped. There was tons of Pokémon, all gathering around him to listen to his song. I turned as I heard footsteps behind me.

"Isn't Manaphy amazing?" Lizabeth asked.

"Yeah," I agreed. Amazing and so many other words. She slipped her bracelet over her hand.

"Here May," she said, "I want you to have this." She held her bracelet out.

"Oh, really?" I questioned, "Because you know you don't have to." I had admired the lovely looking bluish stone for a while now. It was so beautiful and captivating.

"Yeah, but I want to," Lizabeth insisted, "it's the people of the water's mark, but for some reason I feel like you should have it." I smiled as I took it and slipped it on. If only she knew what Drew had just told me, but he hadn't said to tell anyone else yet. Not until I could wrap my head around it. It just seemed so unrealistic.

"Thank you Lizabeth," I whispered. The feeling of the cold stone against my skin felt nice and soothing. Manaphy stopped singing. All the Pokémon slowly began to swim their own way again as Manaphy continued to stare at the sky. More footsteps stopped behind me. Somehow I felt like I knew who it was, even without looking.

"You know," Lizabeth said suddenly, "I think I should go to bed now. You should too May. Don't stay up too long." I nodded as she walked away.

"Hey May," he said softly, "how are you doing?"

"Alright, I guess," I answered, "It's hard to believe that I'm actually royalty."

"It's not like the fairy-tale, live-in-a-castle type princess thing," he chuckled, "It just means you have an important role with the ocean and the people of the water."

"Yeah," I agreed, "to find the real heir huh? Do you think I can find her?"

"Her?"

"Yeah, I think it's a girl. I just have this feeling," I whispered. He was quiet.

"I know," I laughed, "it sounds really stupid doesn't it?"

"Not at all," he said, "that would be your sense telling you about her."

"Mm," I mumbled.

"C'mon," he said, "Lizabeth was right. You should probably head to bed now." I nodded and quietly followed him up to my room. I flopped down on my bed. He chuckled softly and tucked the blankets over me.

"Goodnight May," he whispered, "and try not to think too much. You'll keep yourself awake."

"I don't think I can sleep anyway," I sighed, "it's lonely without Manaphy."

"Just try," he said. I suddenly had an idea.

"Drew?" I questioned. He stopped by my door.

"Yes?" He turned to face me. I flipped the edge of my blanket away and patted the empty space next to me. His eyes narrowed.

"Please," I begged, "I can't sleep alone." I pulled my cute face. That's right. Bow your head slightly, look up and use your big blue eyes to your advantage. Pull a sad face and ever so slightly pout. I hoped it would work on him. It usually worked on Brock, Max, Ash, my dad and several other boys. It even worked on Jackie, but Drew was different. He sighed and moved back towards me.

"If anyone finds out about this, the blame is on you though," he muttered as he tucked himself in beside me. I smiled. I couldn't believe it had worked.

"Mm, ok," I mumbled.

"Goodnight May," he whispered, turning around to lie on his back. I closed my eyes. I snuggled down a little closer and accepted the warm he provided. I lifted my head and rested it under his chin, reaching up to put one of my hands across his body.

"Um…May?" he questioned.

"Mm, warm," I mumbled, pretending to be half asleep. Soon I found myself really falling asleep, gently lulled by his steady breathing.