Ash snickered under his breath as Drew riled May up when she said she was about to take part in the Pokemon contest. Max looked between the two bewildered by what was happening because he had known Drew for more than a month. The green haired teen was a perfect gentleman and a really cool big brother figure and so seeing this side was a surprise to him. However, seeing as Ash did not say anything and instead looked amused Max figures this was one of those rival things going on. He did not know May could get riled up so easily though, it was honestly really funny to watch, although if he hurt May, he would set Breloom on him. Max nodded to himself, plan made and sat down to eat lunch with the chaotic energy aroound them. Ash though was getting flashbacks to the anime where Ash and Misty were actual ten year olds and were short tempered and got riled up easily. It was like watching it happen all over again and he had to work hard to not laugh out loud.
Drew noticed the amused expression on his friend, 'Heh! Made him laugh though... '
May scowled, "Just because you know more than me does not mean I am going to be that easy to defeat."
Drew smirked, "Is that so? Those are pretty brave words, kiddo."
May blew up, "Who are you calling a kid? You are a kid yourself."
Drew, 'Her angry expressions are hilariously adorable.'
Molly whispered, "Gou... "
Gou whispered back, "Yes Molly, why are we whispering?"
Molly whispered, "I do not want to disturb them. Also um... Well, are they flirting?"
Gou snorted answering quietly, "I do not think they realize, they are flirting. They are too busy for that, though it will be funny when they finally realise it."
Ruby, "Food is here. Eat up first."
Drew and May stopped their bickering and thanked them for the food but not without Drew inserting a snide, eat your veggies in there. May puffed up and lectured him on not being a picky eater and how she ate everything except for musk melon due to allergy. Drew simply teased her more and the two started an eating competition out of nowhere. Ash started to laugh at that and ordered some more food after simply telling them to chew properly before swallowing to avoid choking. May slowed down and started to eat at a more sedated pace, intending to enjoy the meal despite the green head irritating her. For some reason, Ash also thought about a certain cook and swordsman from another popular show, that had just as much amount of fans as Pokemon. Ash snorted and got rid of that thought, May was not a cook and Drew was definitely not a swordsman.
May, "Done! I am going to train. I refuse to loose."
Drew, "I will be leaving to train too. It was nice to see you again, Ash. Say, do you have a different answer for me?"
Ash, "Still the same answer Drew. Besides, I have goals I want to reach first."
May looked at them, "Answer?"
Drew, "I asked Ash out once. Do not worry I can handle rejection, though it is kind of cruel to keep me hanging like this."
Ash laughed, "If you really felt hurt you would not ask again."
Drew smirked, "That's true, see you around. I will ask you again in the future."
May narrowed her eyes, "You!!! Do not steal my mentor."
Drew blinked at her, then gave a wicked smile, "Who is gonna stop me, you? I would like to see you try."
May watched him go, "Ugh! That guy drives me up the wall."
Max, 'I miscalculated, I have to look out for Ash.'
Ruby hummed, "This will be a fun contest, I must say."
Ash grinned, "Yeah, their rivalry is going hot."
Gou snickered, "Only their rivalry?"
Max huffed, "It better stay that way."
Molly, "It will, as long as they do not realize it."
May threw herself into training and practice after that and requested Ash to help her with the battles but in a stylish manner. Ash agreed and his Pokemon pretty much ran May's through the wringer, the only one that enjoyed was Honckrow. The dinner later more than made up for it, as Gou kept notes of their favourites as part of his observation research. They made the list of favourite food together getting happy chirps and coos from the Pokrmon. The dark slash flying type looked very satisfied by the training and requested Lucario behind May's back to partner up again. Lucario's eyes gleamed and agreed as long as his Meema did not notice the extra bruises either. They were being juvenile about it, they know but both of them wanted to keep their precious partner safe and sound. Anyway, they would mostly be working on smoothing out the moves and attacks they already knew so, it is not like they were trying anything dangerous anyway. Ash felt a prickle and looked in Lucario's direction with narrowed eyes, his oldest cub was planning something. He decided to trust him for now though because if he does something stupid then he was sending him to the Ranch.
Ruby, "What's wrong?"
Ash, "Nothing! I probably am being overprotective."
Ruby, "Considering everything that has been happening to you. I say, you have every right to be overprotective."
Gou, "I agree with Ruby. A lot of crazy things have been happening to us."
Ash sighed, "Yeah!"
Molly, "Will Cheryl make an appearance?"
Ash, "Not this time, she as far as anyone knows is on a private training mode."
Max, "Oooh! Sounds like Cheryl has a plan for future appearance."
Ash, "Cheryl has agreed to do the opening for the Conference. Mr Wallace requested it after all and I think the winner of the Grand Festival will be joining, if Wallace has his way."
Max, "May is back."
Ash, "Did you battle with mud?"
May who was covered in mud gave a sheepish laugh taking out a pokeball, "I caught a new Pokemon? I know it was supposed to be training but this fella would not stop interrupting us."
Woopa, "Woopa!"
Ash, "Huh! That makes two water types now."
May nodded, "Yeah, but Azumarill is kind of not in the best position to travel since she got busy with mom's Golduck."
The group chuckled at that and May swears the only reason Azumarill let herself be caught was to get closer to Golduck. While she can appreciate the idea, it was risky and would not have worked on other trainers. Honestly speaking, she is not even sure if Golduck is even impressed by her, if what her mom told her was anything to go by. May sighed to herself, maybe she should put her foot down and call Azumarill back for strict training. It was not like Golduck was going to accept Azumarill the way she is anytime soon. The next day, the contest began and May was taken by one of the first contestants who went by Grace and her Medicham who were an impressive duo. The two use a combination of oga and ballet moves along with the psychic moves that made them look etheral and even got full scores. May was clapping with stars in her eyes while Drew who had performed earlier with Roserade just as impressed but looking at Medicham with calculating eyes and thinking of a way to counter them.
Ash, "Oh! That was majestic."
Ruby hummed, "Grace Clayton, she started her career as a Showcase runner and then switched to Contests two years ago after she won the Master Class. She said she wanted to join the Gym battlers next year. She is going to be a tough opponent for May."
Ash, "Huh! That is an impressive resume."
Max, "May can handle it. She has been training hard."
Gou, "And we will help her train too."
Molly, "Look, it is May's turn next."
The brunette girl appeared and called for her Beautifly and created a combination using silver wings with gust making the silver wings spread around. Then, she called for hidden power that Beautifly used to attack the silver wings and turn that into a flower shaped glitter in the sky getting impressed looks. The judges were very impressed and gave her an almost full score if not for one point. Drew would not tell her directly but he was impressed by the control her Beautifly had over the moves and attacks. But then again, May was making a name for herself before she even became an official trainer. Drew would be disappointed if she could not do that much, though he does wonder if they would see the brunette's Honchkrow. That flying slash dark type was notorious for being a sassy flyer and hiding a different attack under the first one. Of course, Drew would have to defeat Grace first who he would be facing in the semi rounds according to the match up.
Announcer, "The first semi - round battlers please come to the stage."
Drew, "Well, time to go. Wish me luck Roserade."
Roserade smirked, "Ro."
Grace, "Oh? Not gonna use your Ace Pokemon."
Drew, "Nah! I am saving Roserade for the finals."
Grace grinned, "Ooh! I love your confidence."
Announcer, "Choose your Pokemon."
Drew chose Serperior which had Ash watching the match with interest. He knew Drew had gone off to a different region to train in private. Seeing a powerful Serperior among his rotary was new and a pleasant surprise. Gou was the most impressed as Serperior were not only a rare sight outside of Unova, but an albino one? Now, that was going to get tongues wagging especially once the Unova community found out. Max looked at Ruby who was staring seriously at the match, Shinies were already rare and thaks to Pokemon contests becoming more popular and in demand. Albinoes, on the other hand were still a touch and go subject for many people as Albino pokemon were more rare than Shiny. In fact, the only Albino Pokemon in their group was baby Abra, who was now cheering his fellow Albino on very loudly. This would hit the International News soon, if not for the contest then for the rare Albino they were seeing now.
Ruby, "I got to go."
Gou, "Right! Damage control."
Ash, "And to avoid other legal problems. Hopefully, he will not face the problems I am dealing with over my Pokemon."
Max, "Is Kalos still insisting on having Tyrantrum sent to them?"
Ash had a frown on his face, "Unfortunately, but I am not going to allow that. They are not poking and prodding my baby without me around."
Molly, "If you plan on going to Kalos, just know I am going with you cousin."
Gou, "Me too."
Max, "May and I will be there too. We will no doubt travel to places May wants to go to like Jhoto and Orange Archipalego but just say the word and we will be there."
Ash smiled, "Thank you Max but I sincerely hope, if I call you, it is not for a legal fight over any of my Pokemon."
Max opened his mouth but then nodded and turned his attention back to the battle amidst the gasps of awe and wonder. Serperior was already known for their grace and swiftness, an albino one, increased that level to magnificence. Drew won the bout using Serperior's speed and looks to keep his points and lower Grace's points. The older woman accepted the loss with a small laugh and shook hands with Drew who looked very proud and then it was May's turn to battle in the semi - finals. May was also facing a contestant from Hoenn and chose Torchic for this round since he wanted to battle more than perform though he could perform well. Torchic was very active and moved around while using ember on their opponent and didging the attacks to win and move to the finals. May cheered as she hugged Torchic and looked up as the announcer announced the final battle.