Hi, here's a new chapter. I'm sorry its a bit short too, seems like that's the only kind I can do. There is hope, however, because I'm already writing the next chapter, and I think it will be longer. No promises.. I have to stop them when it feels natural to me.

I hope you like this, and if you do, I would love to get a review. If you don't, I would like a review anyway, since I want to become a better writer.

I don't own Pokemon.

Chapter 3

I woke up with the sun dancing in my face and my trainer shuffling hither and tither in an attempt to get ready. Most of our stuff were already packed. My trainer appeared ready to head out, although the time she spent looking in the mirror could indicate she was of another opinion. At last she took some deep breaths, put on a nice smile, and walked out. I followed her as the obeying, good pokemon she expected me to be. Inside I was cursing her with all I had to muster. She was not going to help her situation while acting as if she didn't care. Or perhaps she had decided to put it all behind her.

In the cafeteria she released Beautifly, Skitty, Blaziken and Warturtle. We all got our breakfast, and she found a nice table by a window, starting the day as if it was like any other.

"So, something sort of happened last night" I said, not too sure how to begin my tale. They had to be filled in though. They all looked up, Beautifly and Blaziken sobering up instantly while Warturtle looked moderately interested. The time span of Skitty's concentration immediately got her caught up in some tail-chasing. I didn't mind, and indulged her by sweeping my tail back and forth. "Drew met up with us after the contest yesterday, and... we are going to travel with him. At least for a while," I elaborated.

"That is great news," Blaziken exclaimed with a wide smile. Beautifly flapped her wings in delight. Warturtle looked at us in confusion, an unsure smile tugging in his face. He didn't seem to understand the implications. Despite being evolved, he was actually quite immature in some ways. A bit like Ash, actually.

"Why are you not more exited?" Beautifly wondered, and I felt her eyes pierce me. She's always been very perceptive, nearly as much as me.

"You'll see," I sighed gloomily."She screwed up, and the only question is how much. They certainly had their moments yesterday, and the situation was developing great, but then..." My voice trailed of as the boy himself suddenly walked among us, seating himself opposite our trainer.

"Hi Drew," our trainer said after a slight silence. "Glad to see your fan girls left you in one piece," she said lightly, and at the same time watched his reaction intently.

"Don't remind me," he retorted dryly. "I can't blame you for making an escape, I guess," he sighed. His comment made her smile falter slightly, and she directed her guilty gaze down to the table. He seemed tired. "Well, are you ready to get going?" I could almost see how he shook of his problems, deciding to let it go.

My trainer seemed bewildered, but at least she managed to answer. "Yes, almost. We have just finished breakfast." She glanced at us, smiling. "Did you eat already?" she asked him, and he nodded. I guess he had been awake for a while already.

She packed the last of our things away, checking that supplies and items were present and accounted for. It was a routine she did every time we left a city, because she no longer had Brock to manage such essential stuff for her. At last she picked up four pokeballs and returned the others. We were ready to go.

Drew perked a brow and looked at me. "Your not calling in Glaceon?" he asked.

"No. She seems to prefer staying outside. She somehow developed the habit of letting herself out while we were traveling in Johto. After a while I decided she could stay outside if she wanted, and traveling was more fun that way." My trainer gave me a fond look, and I cuddled against her leg. Drew seemed sceptic, perhaps he was still thinking about that Blizzard.

We ventured forth, out of the pokemon center and ready to leave Mahogany Town behind. My mood grew brighter as soon as we went outside. It was the kind of day where there are no room for gloomy thoughts, as the sun was shining, flowers bloomed and random people in the streets greeted us with a smile. In short, a perfect day to travel.

"May darling!" The girlish voice intruding my thoughts could only belong to one person. As Harley dashed forward, grabbing my perplexed trainers hands, all good feelings evaporated. "Oh am I ever glad I found you before you left!" he exclaimed.

"H-hi Harley, eh, congratulations on your win yesterday." My poor trainer forced out the reply. Drew arched an eyebrow, and I had a feeling we both were anticipating the situation. My trainer would probably need some kind of rescue, to prevent her 'Harley headache' to grow into full bloom.

"Thank you," Harley squealed in satisfaction. "Of course, since you lost to me, you still need another ribbon, hon. Drew, I am sure you agree, we simply must help May win that last ribbon. How else will I be able to beat her in the Grand Festival?" As Harley spoke, my trainers brow furrowed, her hands started to clench and unclench, and she gritted her teeth. Drew narrowed his eyes. He had heard the message behind the insults, and surely any help from that direction could be no good.

"I am not going to lose to you again, Harley," she replied, still fighting to hold her composure. She has a history of blowing up at insults such as these, but lately she had improved on restraining herself.

"Oh, sure you are, darling, but never you mind that. You have not been the same since you left those boytoys of yours behind, May. So I will do you a favor and travel with you from now on," our new self declared companion stated. My trainers eyes went wide in horror, although she hid her panic fairly well. Drews face was a mirror of her shock.

Had I been able, I might have granted them mercy and let the earth swallow them on the spot. I am sure they would have appreciated it. Sadly the ground they stood upon was solid as a rock, and there was no escape.

"Oh, there's no need to thank me, hon. And when I think about it, we can't have you two sweethearts traveling alone together. Someone has to make sure nothing inappropriate happens." Harleys eyes glinted with mirth, his last words effectively producing a wild blush on one face, as the other turned away in embarrassment. This could be fun after all.

"So come along now, like the happy family we are. Blackthorn City awaits you, May!" Harley said enthusiastically, and draped his arms over the shoulders of both speechless trainers, nudging them to start walking. The only thing I could do was to trudge after them, hiding my amusement much better than they could conceal their misery.