I'm finally finished with this chapter, and soon with the whole story. I hope you like it :)

I get discouraged without response, and I can't improve without critique. Therefore it would be great with reviews, all opinions are welcome!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.

Chapter 6

The hike through the Ice Path should have been great. It was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The chill air in my lungs and the feel of glassy floor under my paws made me soar with strength. Every step was lighter than usual, and the snow whirling up around my feet initiated energy to cascade through me, from my toes to the tip of my tail. My body wanted to jump, dance and do every ice-related attack it knew. I was definitely in my right environment, as I had only experienced once before, after I evolved in Snowpoint City. It was intoxicating. I hated it. No one else was happy, and there were really nothing to be elated about, but the body betrayed the mind.

My trainer and Drew were talking again, and a less observant person would believe all was back to normal. Something was missing though, as if a spark had died. Harley was angry at both of them, and strangely he was the one person whom I could best relate to in this whole crazy scenario. So I kept myself close to the person I had despised only days ago. Like he said to me, this lovers quarrel was best left alone, at least for the moment.

We could finally escape the agonizing tension as we stepped out into the light of day, arriving in Blackthorn City. Drew headed out to book in at a hotel, while the rest of us walked to the pokemon center. To split up was a relief for us all.

"Welcome to Blackthorn city, how can I help you?" Nurse Joy greeted us brightly in her singsong voice.

"Thank you. Two rooms, please?" my trainer asked, a tiny smile breaking through her mask. She were given two keys, and handed one over to Harley.

"Are you staying for the contest?" Nurse Joy inquired, looking us over.

"Yes. In fact, could you register me?" May started fumbling with the contents in her backpack, finally flipping out the contest pass.

"Of course," the pink haired lady said. "Here you go, and good luck!" Her voice was so warm and soothing. "Will you compete too?" she asked Harley.

"Oh, hon, I already have my five ribbons. I'm here to support and cheer for my girlfriend." Harley winked amiably. My trainer gave him a blank stare.

"Um, we have been traveling for some days now, could you please do a check up on our pokemon?" My trainer reached for her pokeballs, and I took a leap up to the counter.

"Oh my! What an adorable Glaceon, she's in very good health!" I let the nurse admire me, stretching every limb and showing off the muscles spilling under my shiny coat. My trainer rolled her eyes at my behavior, but why should I care? I was proud for a reason, and so was she.

Nurse Joy accepted the pokeballs. "You can come back in half an hour, or wait here," she told us. "Your Glaceon is already fine, though, she's not in need of any treatment." It was not surprising after our trip through the Ice Path. She smiled to me. To be at the receiving end of her warm eyes felt like being washed in love. Brock would have been so envious.

"It's already late, I think we should just wait here and get some dinner from the cafeteria." Harley proposed. I followed them to a table. My trainer had this huge pile of food on her plate. It was a relief to see her appetite returned. She hadn't eaten much after her breakdown in the glade.

"May!" someone shouted, and my trainer snapped up her head.

"Brianna! Good to see you." She answered the girl who ran to us, whom I vaguely remembered from my first days as an Eevee. Her most distinct traits as I could recall was perhaps her aura of uncertainty and huge crush on Drew. Short, brown hair and green eyes flashed past me before Brianna hugged my trainer fiercely, both with huge mirroring grins and exited laughter.

"Won't you introduce me to your little friend, darling?" Harley interrupted them, curiosity and annoyance shining through the cheerfulness of his voice, if you knew him well enough to catch it.

My trainer laughed sheepishly. "Sorry Harley. Brianna, this is my rival and new traveling companion."

"Nice to meet you, sir." Brianna smiled and offered her hand, all politeness.

"Sir? How old do you think I am, hon?" Great. Nothing was worse than an offended Harley, and Brianna had done it. That said, very little was required.

"Oh, no no no. I never meant that. As a rival to May, you are my senior, sir. A more experienced coordinator. I apologize for insulting you, sir." Brianna was in a state of panic, seeing as Harley's eyes shot daggers at her, while my trainer buried her face in her hands.

"Harley, knock it off!" she exclaimed angrily. "I'm sorry Brianna. You did nothing wrong. Harley is a bit touchy, that's all." She pierced him with a speak-and-you're-dead glare, but he turned his face away in resentment, abruptly standing up and marching off. My trainer let out an exasperated sigh.

"Is he ok?" Brianna worried.

"Well, he will be back," my trainer sighed ominously, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"I'm happy for you, although a bit surprised." Brianna smiled slyly.

"Huh? By what?" My trainer was all bewilderment.

"I never thought he would be your type. How he called you his 'darling' was adorable though." I coughed on a laughing fit, while Brianna looked all innocence and my trainer went crimson.

"Me and Harley? No, you got it all wrong! That's just his way of speaking," May hurriedly assured her misguided friend.

"Oh, ok." Brianna said, looking a bit disappointed. Then she cheered up. "Um, May, have you seen Mr. Drew lately?" She asked eagerly, eyes all stars. My trainer's reaction was instantaneous. Her cheeks flushed as her body got rigid, but it lasted only a moment. She let out breath and forced a smile.

"He has been traveling with me after the Mahogany Contest. He's staying at the hotel." She stared blankly ahead, with that distant look in her eyes I had seen too much of lately.

"Are you alright, May? Did something happen?" Brianna glanced anxiously at my trainer's strange state. "Is there... something going on between you and Mr. Drew?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of suspicion and sadness in her eyes.

"No!" my trainer almost shouted. She immediately flushed in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. There's nothing going on, ok?" she pleaded, looking a bit desperate.

"I see. Nothing it is." Brianna smiled reassuringly, and my trainer relaxed.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I appreciate it." Silence settled over us while May finished eating. "Are you entering this contest then?" she asked at last.

"Nope!" Brianna proudly showed her ribbon case, where five pretty ribbons dwelt.

"How is it that I am the only one left with four ribbons?" My trainer huffed, classical pout adorning her face.

"Well, you did compete in the Wallace Cup, right? A trip to Sinnoh isn't exactly done in a day. And then you went home to Hoenn for your brothers birthday?" Brianna was quite correct, both those trips had been time-consuming, although worth it. "Relax, May, you will be fine."

My trainer brightened up. "You're right, I still have two chances left."

Brianna looked down at her ribbons, smiling softly. "This is my first time qualifying for a Grand Festival. I'm finally worth it." This rather mysterious message had May arch her brow.

"Worth it?" she repeated.

"Yes, I am worthy of Mr. Drew's respect now. I will confess my feelings for him at last." Brianna had a dreamy look to her face, eyes all stars and sunshine again, which made her sort of glow. Maybe love makes people prettier.

My trainers gaze fell to her lap. "Good for you, Brianna. And... Good luck." Her words were forced as she whispered, but I am certain she meant it.

Brianna's gaze softened. "Are you sure you're ok with this?" she asked carefully.

"Yes," May nodded curtly. "I have no claims to him. He is no more than a friend." Thus ended their conversation.