Chapter 4: Battles of Good and Bad Intent

Well unfortunately a lot of things have happened in the past few weeks that delayed me.

Ash and May awoke the next morning and resumed their journey, Pikachu and Eevee beside them. They soon came to Mauville City like they had the day they'd met. It had been just a month ago, but to both of them it felt like years with all that had happened. Soon they came up to the end of the cycling road and into the city. Ash led May to the Bike shop he'd passed once before when he'd come here the first time before meeting her.

"Here we are," Ash said leading May by the hand to the shop.

It was a decently sized yellow building with a purple roof. In front of it was a sign reading Rydel's Cycles. Several bikes were locked up to stands outside for display. They opened the door and found a man inside at the front desk. More bikes were shown with several tools on the desk and

"Welcome welcome to Rydel's Cycles!" the man said. "I'm Rydel, how can I help you today?"

Ash smiled. "Hi Rydel, I'm Ash and this is my girlfriend May, and my partner Pikachu!"

"Hello," May said giving a small curtsy with her little skirt.

"Pika Pika,"Pikachu greeted.

"Torchic," Torchic greeted in May's arms.

"Oh and my Torchic," May said.

"Nice to meet all of you," Rydel said. "Now how can I help you?"

"We're here to get a couple bicycles," Ash said. "We're trying to get to Fortree City quickly."

Rydel's eager expression faded as he heard the last part. "Fortree City? Well unfortunately that route is not very bike friendly. There's a lot of long grass in that direction that makes it impossible for bicyclists to bike through. You'd be better off going on foot."

Ash looked down. "Oh, that's too bad. So much for my plan to get things done quicker,"

"Sorry, I do love selling my bikes out for people to use. But it wouldn't help you get there and only slow you down," Rydel said.

They left the bike shop with a bit of disappointment.

"Ah well, I guess we just have to keep going on foot like he said," Ash said.

"That's okay," May said. "I don't mind walking with you Sir Ash. Besides if we were on those bikes, we wouldn't be able to hold hands."

Ash smiled at her as she took his hand. "Yeah, that's so nice."

He leaned in and kissed her and she happily reciprocated. They remained embraced for a few precious moments, their tongues exploring each other's now all too familiar mouths. They then broke apart.

"Well, guess we should just head on," Ash said.

He led her to the eastern shore outside of Mauville where there was a small section of the sea separating the land from the path leading to Fortree City. There was a bridge connecting the lands togethers so they walked over it and after almost an hour made it.

But as soon as they made it across the bridge the couple saw someone. A man and woman a few years older then them. The woman carried a microphone while the man held a camera. A news reporter and camera man.

"Hello there travelers!" the woman said.

"Uh hi," Ash said.

"Hello," May said, a little nervous seeing the strange device pointing at her.

"Pika," Pikachu waved at the two from his perch on Ash's shoulder.

"Are you both Pokemon trainers?" the woman asked.

"Yes we are!" Ash said. "I'm Ash and this is my girlfriend May."

"Pleased to meet you both. I'm Gabby If you're on this path I can only assume that means you are on your way to Fortree city?" the woman said.

"Yep," Ash said.

"Then I presume you've probably gotten five badges now?" Gabby asked.

Ash nodded and reached into his badge case to show them.

"Wait, I recognize you! You're Ash Ketchum!" Ty spoke now. "You've been through several leagues!"

"Uh, yeah," Ash said a little embarrassed.

"Well this is an honor," Gabby said. "If you don't mind, would you be willing to give out a little advice as an experienced trainer? Also, exactly who is this young lady you're with?"

"I'm May," the Princess repeated. "From… Petalburg City."

"I see, well you must be one lucky girl to get a trainer as famous as Ash!" Gabby said.

May nodded and blushed. "I consider myself the luckiest girl in this… day and age," she said.

Ash smiled then turned back to Gabby. "I suppose I could spare a moment but I really should get going. Have to make it to the rest of the gyms in just under two months."

"You should at least keep yourself prepared. How about a battle?" Gabby asked.

"You battle?" Ash asked eagerly.

"Yes it makes a better show for the news when we interview trainers," Ty said. "Why don't we make it a double battle, both me and Ty against you and May!"

"A double battle?" May asked.

"It's a type of battle where there are two Pokemon for each side," Ash told her.

"I see," May said with a nod. "So we battle as partners?"

"Yeah," Ash said.

"Sounds easy enough," May said.

They'd had plenty of experience working together as a team already when Dialga was chasing them. This would hopefully be a little easier.

"Alright lets do it!" Ash said.

They stood a few feet apart from each other and the news reporter and camera man both drew their pokeballs.

"Loudred! Go!" Gabby said throwing her ball.

A purple bear like Pokemon with circular ears and a large open square mouth appeared.

"Loudred!" it shouted its name extra loud, causing it to ring in Ash and May's ears.

Both the knight and princess covered their ears.

"Oh that's loud!" May said.

"Loudred use their ears as speakers!" Ash said.

"My turn, I choose you, Magneton!" Ty said.

He threw his pokeball and a set of three shining steel magnets with eyes connected to each other appeared.

"Alright, Pikachu I choose you buddy!" Ash said to his partner.

"I'm on it!" Pikachu said getting off Ash's shoulder to face their opponents.

May meanwhile, wasn't sure which of her Pokemon to use. Minun, Eevee, or Torchic?

"Eevee!" Eevee suddenly said stepping forward.

"You want to go Eevee?" May asked.

The Evolution Pokemon nodded.

"Alright," May said.

Eevee ran over and came to stand beside Pikachu.

"Ready?" Gabby asked.

"You bet!" Ash said.

"Alright! Lights! Camera! Action!" Ty said still holding his camera. "Let's begin this battle!"

"Eevee use… uh… I don't know what attacks Eevee can do!" May exclaimed.

This was May's first-time using Eevee in battle, and she'd always been too injured to fight before. Ash quickly pulled out his Pokedex and scanned his girlfriends Pokemon.

"Okay it says Eevee can use Growl, Sand Attack, Helping Hand, Tackle, Quick Attack, Take Down, and Bite," Ash said.

"Wow Eevee you know a lot of attacks!" May said.

"Ah shucks!" Eevee said with a little blush.

Gabby and Ty had waited when they heard that May didn't know which attacks Eevee knew. But now they were ready.

"Magneton! Use Thunderbolt on Eevee!" Ty said.

"Magneton!" the magnet Pokemon said.

A yellow bolt of electricity shot at Eevee. The evolution Pokemon howled in pain as the powerful attack hit her and did a good amount of damage.

"Eevee!" May yelled in concern.

"Its okay May, the battles not over yet!" Ash said.

"Right!" May said. "Eevee use Sand Attack!"

Eevee nodded and shook of the pain before turning and using her hind legs to throw sand at the Magneton, hitting it in its multiple magnet faces. With that attack its accuracy would be lowered.

"Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt on Loudred!" Ash ordered his partner.

"Pika!" Pikachu said. "You got it!"

Pikachu unleashed its own Thunderbolt on the Big Voice Pokemon. Loudred flinched at the impact, but recovered quickly.

"Use your Uproar!" Gabby said.

"Loudred! Dred, Dred, Dred!"

The sound was deafening, emitting sonic waves that hit both Pikachu and Eevee at once. Magneton got caught in the blast as well but being part steel type it wasn't effected as badly as the other two. Both Ash and May's Pokemon were knocked down. Pikachu managed to get back up but Eevee was a little slower. She'd taken quite a bit of damage from both attacks. One or two more and it would probably bring her down.

"Magneton use another Thunderbolt on Eevee to finish up!"

Magneton let out another powerful electric attack at Eevee as May's eyes widened in concern again. But Pikachu moved without any prompting from Ash, getting in front of his new mate, ready to take the electric attack for her. It wouldn't hurt him as bad since he was an electric type himself. Eevee's eyes widened as she saw this.

"Pikachu!" Ash and Eevee yelled in human and Pokemon tongue respectively.

But the attack missed Pikachu by an inch and soared harmless off to the side. Eevee's Sand Attack from earlier had done its job.

"May, I'll handle Magneton!" Ash told his girlfriend. "Your normal attacks won't do much against steel types!"

"Got it Ash!" May said. "Eevee got after Loudred! Growl and Quick Attack!"

Eevee growled as she managed to get all the way up. The sound sent a chill down everyone's spine. She then took off and dashed at Loudred, ramming into the Big Voice Pokemon just as it let out another Uproar. This one was smaller then the last thanks to having the wind knocked out of it. It only Eevee this time, but that wasn't good for the Evolution Pokemon. She struggled to get up even more then last time. One more attack would be enough to bring her down.

"Thunderbolt, Pikachu!" Ash ordered.

"Thunderbolt, Magneton!"

Pikachu and Magneton both traded electric attacks, their Thunderbolts colliding against each other. For a moment they remained locked then Pikachu's more powerful Thunderbolt pushed Magnetons back and hit the Magnet Pokemon.

"Alright, finish up with Iron Tail!" Ash said.

"Chu! Pika!" Pikachu leapt into the air. "Take this!"

His tail glowed and turned metallic, hitting Magneton full force. Even though both the attacks were only half as effective due to them being the same as both of Magnetons types, Pikachu was at a much higher level and was able to do immense damage anyway. Magneton hit the ground with X's in its eyes. That was one down.

"Alright Eevee use Take Down!" May said hoping this would work. It was a powerful move from the sound of it after all.

Eevee charged in, as both Ash and Pikachu looked over at her in surprise.

"May no!" Ash exclaimed.

"Pika!" Pikachu yelled at his already hurt beloved Eevee.

But it was too late. Eevee rammed into Loudred full force, knocking the Big Voice Pokemon down with spirals in his eyes.

"Yeah we won!" May said.

"Eevee!" Eevee smiled for an instant. "Yes!"

Then she yelped in pain and collapsed.

"Eevee?" May asked in surprise before panicking. "Eevee!"

She, Ash, and Pikachu all ran to Eevee's side. May scooped Eevee up in her arms.

"What happened?" May asked.

"She got hurt using Take Down!" Ash said. "See that move hurts both the target and the user."

"Oh Eevee! I'm sorry! I didn't know!" May sobbed as she held her second Pokemon in remorse.

Eevee opened her eyes and gave her a weak smile. "Its okay," she said.

For so long Eevee had been distrustful of humans, but now those days were over. She knew that May hadn't meant it. After everything they'd been through, it would take more then a mistake in battle to break their friendship.

"Thanks Eevee," May said.

Ash dug into his backpack and pulled out a super potion he'd brought at the Petalburg market. He sprayed it on Eevee and she felt a stinging sensation before the pain began to recede.

"You'll be okay now, just rest," Ash said.

"You did wonderful Eevee," May said before drawing her Pokeball. "Now take a good rest!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu called. "Hey!"

"Oh, maybe say goodbye to Pikachu first!" May said.

She knelt down and let Pikachu get close to Eevee. He took her paw in his own.

"You did a good job Eevee," Pikachu said.

"Thanks. And thanks for trying to protect me back there. I love you," she said.

"I love you too Eevee," Pikachu said.

They smiled at each other and May got back up and recalled Eevee back into her Pokeball. They then faced Gabby and Ty.

"That was a wonderful battle you too!" Gabby said.

"We got the whole thing on camera," Ty said.

"Can we get any words from you before you go?" Gabby asked holding out her microphone for the two trainers.

"Uh, I guess, Teamwork is the key to success when you're working with your partners!" Ash said sheepishly.

"And love!" May said taking his hand with a blush.

"Yeah, love too!"

"Teamwork and love. Perfect that will make a good report for the news. Keep an eye out! We're sure to broadcast it at some point!" Gabby said. "Good luck to you two!"

"Bye!" Ash and May said together.

Gabby and Ty handed over the prize money for Ash and May's victory. With the battle out of the way, the couple continued on their way to Fortree City. Pikachu took his perch back on Ash's shoulder while May let Minun out since it was probably her turn. In response to that, Ash let Plusle out so they could have a couple walk.

They continued forward until suddenly they saw a man up ahead standing there looking serious. He wore strange clothes (at least for this era), a green and purple tunic and hat that looked medieval, a Cacturne wearing some strange piece of armor beside him. Ash was reminded of when he first saw May in her traditional princess dress. May, however, gasped as soon as she saw the man who began walking to them as soon as he saw them.

"I've been waiting for you May my dear!" he said.

"Duke Harley!" May exclaimed.

He smirked. "Good to see you haven't forgotten my name even though a few centuries have passed here!" he joked before taking a good look at her attire. "Though it seems you've quite forgotten your modesty with those clothes."

May frowned at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Taking my bride back of course what else would I be doing here in this time?" Harley asked before turning to Ash. "So you are the thief that stole her huh?"

Ash gritted his teeth. "She's not a trophy! She chose to come back to me!"

"That's right, I love Sir Ash!" May said taking her boyfriend's arm. "I heard about how you attacked my family after I left!"

"Well honor demands it!" Harley said. "You can't have a king who goes back on his word!"

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" May said.

"Oh I didn't mean to imply you had a choice in the matter! I'm taking you back with me and executing this thief!" Harley pointed at Ash. "Cacturne darling, punch a bunch of holes in that man with your Pin Missle!"

"Cacturne!" The cactus pokemon raised its arms at Ash who gritted his teeth in anger and fear.

The attack came in the shape of multiple jets of glowing white needles. They soared at Ash who rolled out of the way as May screamed, the attacks missing her as well.

Ash gritted his teeth. "Alright if you want to fight that's fine with me!"

"Pika!" Pikachu said. "Let me at him."

Ash admired Pikachu's determination, but he knew his partner had just been through a battle. It was time to let someone else fight. Ash drew a Pokeball.

"Taillow, I choose you!" Ash said throwing the ball.

The red black and white Tiny Swallow Pokemon emerged flapping its wings.

"Taillow!" it shrieked.

Harley laughed at the sight. "You really think a little bird can save you!"

This guy obviously wasn't familiar with type advantages.

"Peck Attack!" Ash said.

Taillow flew at Cacturne and began pecking the grass pokemon who cried in pain.

"Needle arm that puny bird!" Harley screamed.

"Dodge it!" Ash said.

Cacturne's arm lit up and it swiped at Taillow who easily dodged it.

"Wing Attack!" Ash said.

Taillow flew at Cacturne and hit it with its wings this time. Cacturne staggered back several steps.

"Oh come on!" Harley yelled angrily.

May watched the battle from the sidelines for a moment. So many questions ran through her mind, how was Harley here? How was he able to command a magical creature? Looking at the Cacturne and the armor it had on, she recalled she'd heard of the development of some sort of device in her time that would allow humans to control magical creatures. Her father had forbidden its use as the device caused pain to the magical creatures, and while they hadn't been as friendly back then with them, few humans liked the idea of putting them through pain. Apparently Duke Harley had gone against those orders and brought some of that armor anyway.

"Sir Ash! Target that armor Cacturne is wearing!" she said. "Its how he's controlling it!"

"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side May!" Harley yelled.

Hearing her, Ash looked and nodded. "Peck attack on that armor Taillow!"

Taillow flew in and pecked the object which snapped and broke off of Cacturne who winced. It rubbed its head and then looked around. Harley's eyes widened in surprise. Cacturne then turned to him with an angry look that was especially scary on a dark type.

"Ah!" Harley yelled in fear as he rummaged his pockets for his other armor piece. "I'll just put another one on you!"

But Cacturne hit the second armor piece with a needle arm and broke in half. It then growled at Duke Harley who screamed and began running as the Cacturne chased after him.

That left Ash and May to watch as her former fiancé that had overthrown her family ran.

"Should we go after him?" May asked.

"Nah, lets just let him go. If he bothers us again we can just beat him again," Ash said. "Besides, he's from out of this time. I'll bet Dialga will be after him sooner or later."

May giggled at the thought of the Time Pokemon coming after that man. It would serve him right. They continued on the path as Harley's screams faded. Soon they turned north in the direction of Fortree city.

Okay, so I added the bridge there cause I don't think in the anime they ever use surf to cross bodies of water. Any suggestions and reviews are appreciated. I wasn't entirely certain if that was a good ending for Harley but don't worry he'll be back. They never seem to try and do more with Team Rocket then blast them off so I guess its okay. Realistically you would probably try and send someone like that to jail, but ah well. See you in a few weeks. My schedule should get back to normal at the end of the month of so and I can go back to rotating stories every week. But you never know what life can throw at you.