Sorry for not uploading yesterday, my schedule was completely packed with stuff, so I couldn't get any writing done. But, I have a lot more free time today, so today I shall write. I will say though, I'm going back to 2 chapters per week for a bit until I have a more structured plan for this half of the story, because as it stands I've only got bits and pieces in my mind. But with all that said, on with the chapter.

Chapter 53:

Changing of Plans

Norman and Caroline insist on bringing Max and Bonnie out to celebrate her win, despite their protests. May and Drew come as well, while Ash and Serena decide to go and do their own thing. Dawn and Zoey want to come too, but Dawn isn't too sure about heading out into Petalburg while Kenny is out and about. So, the Maples go alone. Bonnie and Drew have already been considered part of the family in the parents' eyes, despite Max's protests that he and Bonnie are just friends.

After this, May feels it's about time to announce her, Serena and Dawn's plan for the fundraiser and morale booster. Unsurprisingly, the Contest association loves the idea, and towns and cities across the region begin offering space for the venue. The three girls find themselves swamped with interview requests and questions about where and when it'll happen. During this ordeal, all three are grateful for their partners, who have been there as moral support and to comfort them when things become overwhelming. Things are particularly stressful for Dawn, because Kenny manages to find her, and has started following her and Zoey around. "If that guy starts telling you how much better he'd be as a partner, I will beat him up!" Zoey mutters after spotting him dip behind a corner.

For his part, Max finds himself quite eager to find out where this is happening. He's seen his sister perform a number of times in his life, but it would be cool to watch her perform with two other people, especially on a big stage. But, for some reason, Bonnie has become rather restless. When asked about this, she says that it's because they were delayed a lot by the events of the past few months, and she's eager to get going to her next gym battle. But Max can tell that this isn't the truth. She's clearly got an ulterior motive for wanting to leave. He manages to convince her to stay until they find out where May's event will be. But then, when Ash mentions offhandedly that he will also be sticking around until after this performance, she's suddenly more insistent that the two of them get going.

So, he relents, and the two of them bid farewell to everyone, before packing their things. "Don't worry," Bonnie says to the performers, "if we aren't near enough to the performance, we'll be sure to catch it on TV!" May thanks her for this, before hugging her brother. "Why don't you guys stay with us?" she asks him. "She's insistent on leaving," Max replies. "Nothing I can do to convince her otherwise." "Fair enough," May replies. As he turns to follow Bonnie, Max can hear May whisper "Whipped," under her breath. He turns back and glares at her, before waving to the others and following after his friend.

Over the next day or two, neither of them mention their abrupt departure from Petalburg. They just continue travelling to their next destination. They plan on heading to Fortree, but will change course if Max has any contests to get to. He has a few to catch up on after his time spent in Larousse. But, after two days since they left, Max decides to try getting the truth out of Bonnie. As they walk through a field full of flying types, Max takes a break from documenting the pokémon in his audio log to turn to her. He sees her looking a bit guilty, but mostly frustrated.

"OK," he says to her, "you weren't being honest before were you?" Bonnie doesn't meet his eyes at this. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replies. Max sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose, moving his glasses up to his forehead as he does. "You had another reason for wanting to leave Petalburg," he replies. "Aside from being anxious about making it in time for the Hoenn League." Bonnie definitely doesn't meet his eyes this time. "Of course not," she argues. "Why else would I want to leave?" "I don't know!" Max exclaims. "That's why I'm asking." Bonnie sighs. "I thought you weren't supposed to be bad at picking up when people are lying," she says. "I am," he replies. "But I've been travelling with you for a year and a half, so I've gotten pretty good at telling when YOU'RE lying." Bonnie says nothing at this. "Come on, just tell me what's bothering you."

She sighs again, then relents. "Yes, I did have another reason for wanting to leave Petalburg, happy now!?" she tells him. "Not until you tell me the reason," he replies. Bonnie doesn't say anything for a bit. Max is about to ask her again, when she finally speaks. "It's Ash," she replies. "I thought that, now that he's more comfortable with using his Aura again, he'd be willing to teach me some more, but he still refused!" "I thought he agreed to show you how to heal?" Max asks. "He did," Bonnie replies. "But that's it. He won't show me anymore until he believes I'm mature enough to handle it." Now it's Max's turn to not say anything for a bit. The two walk for a bit in silence as Max processes this. Then, he glances at his friend's face and realises something. "You've got a plan to show him that you're mature enough to wield Aura, don't you?" he asks.

Bonnie blushes at this. "Am I really that obvious?" she asks. Max can't help but laugh at her. "So, what is your big plan then?" he asks. Bonnie blushes again, and stays silent for a bit longer. Then, she replies with, "Win the Master's Eight." Max wasn't sure what to expect, but when he hears that he nearly stumbled on the path. "What!?" he exclaims. Bonnie looks a bit embarrassed at this. "You don't think I can do it?" she asks. Max thinks about how he should answer this. "Do you want me to be honest, or do you want me to placate you?" he asks. "Be honest," she replies. "Then no," he replies. "I don't." Bonnie seems to be quite hurt by this. "Thanks for having faith," she mutters. "It's not because I don't think you're very good," he replies quickly. "It's just that something like that would be so much harder than the Leagues." "How?" Bonnie asks. "You're the one strategising."

"Exactly," Max replies. "My strategies work because I'm basing them off of the Gyms. More specifically, they fact that Gyms use single typing. Competitors for the World Coronation Series are a whole other matter. You'd be very lucky to run into a trainer who uses a single type. Most of the time you're gonna fight people like Trixie, with multiple different pokémon, meaning you're going to need to think on your feet most of the time. Then, there's the matter of how many people enter the Series. We're talking 10s of thousands, maybe even 100s, all competing for 8 positions. Of those eight, only one will get to fight Ash for the title of Monarch. You haven't even fought in a League yet! Do you still think you'd have a chance?"

Bonnie shakes her head. "No," she says dejectedly. "You're right. Thst was stupid." "I'm not saying that!" says Max. "I'm saying you aren't strong enough YET. Let's focus on winning a league for now. If you can do that, then we'll talk about entering the Master's Eight." Bonnie nods at this. "So, we're staying together until I become the Monarch then!" she tells him. "Until then, you're stuck with me!" Max nods at this, and the two of them shake hands. "Of course," he says. "Let's go and get you that title!" Now with a new goal in mind, the pair set off for the next leg of their journey, one thst they've decided to expand beyond their time in Hoenn.

Another short one there, sorry about that. I haven't been in much of a writing mood lately, as the stress of college has begun to get to me. On top of my laptop breaking, I have some assignment deadlines coming up, which I need my laptop for. So, I may be failing this term, and as such, my mood to write has plummeted. Hopefully I'll be in a better mood by Tuesdsy, but I may need to put this story on hold for 3 weeks to focus on my assignments. We'll see which path I take in due course.