Hello again!
Here's the next chapter! I'm sorry for the wait, this took me longer than I would have liked. But there is plenty of shippyness in this one so I'm sure you'll enjoy it. But I'll have to torture you a little longer since this chapter will be starting off by telling you what happened with Team Rocket before the start of Ash and May's match. I hope that makes sense...
Anyway, let's start the chapter!
C: We're down to our last match-up in the first match of the divison F roundrobin. The pokemon remaining are Jessiebella's Wobbuffet and Olivia's Exeggutor.
"Exeggutor, take that blob out with Solar Beam!" Olivia ordered.
Jessie smirked since Olivia was playing right into her hands, "Counter it Wobbuffet!"
The pyschic pokemon used Mirror Coat and sent the beam back at his opponent, making short work of the grass type.
"Exeggutor is unable to battle." The judge ruled, he was about to declare victory in favor of Team Rocket, but Wobbuffet(Who is exhausted from battle.) also lost conciousness. The Rockets gasped.
The judge made the call, "Wobbuffet is also unable to battle!"
C: "Would you look at that ladies and gentleman? The power of that Solar Beam was enough to take down Wobbuffet even though it used Mirror Coat!"
James was a little fearful, knowing that Jessie wouldn't like this, "But that would mean..."
J: "Therefore that makes this match is a draw."
"WHAT!?" Jessie screamed at the top of her lungs, causing James and Mewoth to flnich, "BUT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO WIN!"
"Calm down Jess.." Meowth attempted to reason with the outraged woman.
"We still have a chance if we win this next match..." James tried to explain, but Jessie wasn't hearing any of it.
"I DONT CARE!!" she continued to screech, "YOU IDIOTS ALWAYS MESS EVRYTHING UP FOR ME!!"
As Jessie continued to rant and rave the officials decided to intervene.
C: "Please excuse the disturbance folks. Security will escort the crazy woman off of the field so we can prepare for our next match."
A/N: Okay, so basically the Rockets ended up with a tie. Now that we know what happened earlier with them, let's find out what happened between Ash and May...
"I love you."
May's eyes widened in shock. Did Ash just say he loved her? Did he just say he loved her in front of thousands of people, including their friends and family? Or could this be another one of those dreams she kept having and she would be waking up any second? May opened her mouth to speak, but Ash gently placed a finger on her mouth.
"May, please don't say anything I need to get this out." May fell silent and gazed into Ash's eyes as he began to pour his heart out to the girl...
"May, you are the most beautiful, fun, and cheerful girl I've ever met. I remember meeting when you were just a beginning trainer, and as we traveled together and I started teaching you what means to be trainer, I got really attached to you. Whenever you smiled or laughed, it gave me this fantastic feeling that I didn't recognize. And over the last few days, as I grew so much closer to you, I learned that the feeling I got from you is love."
This is really happening. May thought to herself as her eyes started to fill with tears. He's really saying what I've been dreaming of for so long...
Ash held May closer as he began to finish his speech, their faces only inches apart...
"I know you might not feel the same, but I love you May. I love you and I always will."
"Oh, Ash." May choked through her joyful tears, "I love you so much too!"
Ash and May pressed their lips together and they shared their first kiss. Ash's aching stomach had completely disappeared and was replaced with a feeling of euphoria as he pulled May closer, deepening their kiss. The two trainers were completely oblivious to the fact that they were being observed by a crowd of thousands, the commentators also spotlighted the display.
C: "Isn't that sweet ladies and gentleman?"
J: "In the midst of an exciting battle, young love is discovered. What a way to end today's match!"
Ash and May were still well into their kiss when their friends and family appeared on the field, but hung back.
"So it seems that the theory with the Bulbasaur was correct." Professor Oak concluded with a smile on his face.
"Ash is such a little romantic!" Delia squealed with delight. The two trainers apparently heard this and consequently broke apart. Hand in hand, the young couple approached their friends both blushing considerably.
"Hey, you guys." greeted an embarrassed Ash. "Uh, you didn't hear me did you?"
"We heard everything Romeo." Misty winked at him causing the trainer to stare at the ground, with his face bright red.
"Dad, I hope this is okay with you." May asked her father. "I know I wasn't supposed to go on my journey to find a boyfriend."
Norman stepped in front of the couple with an impassive look on his face. Though Ash felt a little nervous, May felt confident and wrapped one of her arms around Ash's torso and lightly hugged him.
"But Ash means everything to me, and I love him." May stated while lovingly gazing at the trainer.
"I love you too." Ash responeded. He couldn't believe how happy he was. Right now Ash didn't care if Norman knocked his teeth out, he and May loved each other and that was the best feeling in the world. Norman glanced at Ash, still just as impassive, no one knew what his reaction was gonna be.
"Uh, oh." said Max, beliving Ash was gonna get hurt.
"Pika pikachu." (This might be painful.) Pikachu agreed.
But to everyone's surprise Norman grinned and shook Ash's hand, "Congratulations you two."
"Y-your not mad?" May asked as a surprised Ash shook Ash's hand.
"Of course not!" Norman laughed. "Your mother explained to whole thing to me last night. We knew it was only a matter of time before this happened."
May tuned to her mother, "Mom, what is Dad talking about?"
"Delia showed me your two Bulbasaur when we arrived yesterday, and we saw how close they were." Caroline explained with a smile on her face, "And the professor did say that pokemon mimic the feelings of their trainers..."
Ash blushed, he had totally forgotten what the professor told him. The Bulbasaur reflected his and May's feelings for each other. Perhaps if Ash remembered that he would have had an easier time confessing his feelings to May last night...
"Let's go back to the hotel everyone." said Brock, interrupting Ash's thoughts. "Remember you guys won today, we should celebrate that too."
Back at the hotel...
After the initial celebration with drinks and what-not, everyone lingered around the hotel lobby. Ash and May spent all of their time together on the couch, while being observed by a few nosy adults.
"Oh Norman, don't they remind you of us when we were younger?" Caroline asked her husband as she watched her daughter enjoy her time with the boy she loved.
"A bit," Norman agreed. "But I hope Ash behaves himself with May."
"My Ash is a perfect gentlemen." Delia said confidently. "He'll treat May right."
"Hopefully this won't make those two lose focus of why they're here. They do have the rest of the tournament to worry about you know." Oak reminded the parents.
At another end of the lobby, Brock was desperately searching for a girlfriend of his own.
"Man, I wish I could find love too." the breeder sighed. But he caught a glimpse of Nurse Joy, and went after her. "Nurse Joy, I must confess something to you!"
Only to be halted by Misty and Max, grabbing his ears and dragging him off.
"Stop right there." said Max pulling the left ear.
"One confession is enough for one day." Misty added, gripping Brock's right ear.
On the couch Ash and May continued to be what some might call, "lovey-dovey."
"I'm so happy Ashy." May sighed dreamily, as she laid her head on Ash's chest. Ash raised an eyebrow at the sound of the nickname.
"Ashy?" he inquired.
"You don't mind do you?" May asked innocently looking up into his eyes. "I just thought it sounded cute."
Ash smiled, he couldn't resist the innocent look she gave him, "No, I like it."
"Your so sweet." May giggled while rubbing noses with Ash.(A/N: Remember? The Bulbasaur did this too.)
Ash enjoyed the moment but suddenly remembered something, "May, I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" asked a confused May. "About what?"
"About how badly I battled today." Ash answered while staring t the ground. "You were the one who was worried about your battling skills. I'm your mentor, I totally fail..."
Ash was cut off by May kissing him sweetly. Ash returned the kiss as he felt the "love feeling" he described before being strengthened. May slowing broke the kiss and waited for Ash's reaction.
"Wow, what was that for?" Ash breathed, pleasantly surprised at the action.
"To get you to stop doubting yourself." May answered simply still giving him that cute innocent look.
"Well, if you kiss me like that every time I doubt myself I don't know if I want to stop." Ash joked.
"Don't worry," May responded as she moved in for another kiss, "There will be plenty more where that came from."
Just before May could fulfill her promise, a resounding "aww!" could be heard from the spying adults. This caused the two trainers to move apart from each other, their faces beet red.
"But let's wait 'till later." May told Ash, and the boy nodded in agreement.
Few hours later...
Ash, May, and their pokemon were n their hotel room preparing for bed. Bulby began to fluff the pillow she and Bulbasaur usually sleep on and waited for him to join her.
"Bulbasaur bulbasaur?" (Let's get a good night's sleep, okay sweetie?) Bulby told her fellow grass pokemon. The "sweetie" nickname that Bulby had appeared to have given Bulbasaur caused him to be the victim of some teasing by his fellow teammates.
"Bulba, bulba." (Not in front of everyone Bulby, its embarrassing.) Bulbasaur urged the female as he sat on the pillow next to her.
"Bulbasaur bulba." (But I love you, I'm just being nice to you.) Bulby informed her love, looking a little crestfallen.
Bulbasaur rubbed his noses with Bulby to cheer her up. Meanwhile, Pikachu and the other pokemon observed them with interest.
"Pikachu pika pi." (Looks like love is in the air.) Pikachu commented.
"Torkoal tor!" (Nothing is more beautiful than love!) sobbed Torkoal, the other pokemon sweatdropped.
"Beautifly beautifly." (Well, it's happening with those two too.) Beautifly pointed out as she motioned towards their trainers. Ash and May were preparing for sleep, while May got onto the heart shaped mattress without hesitation, Ash looked a little uncomfortable and remained standing.
"You ready for bed." asked May as she patted the space next to her.
Ash shifted uncomfortably, "Uh, I don't know..."
"Why not?" May reasoned with him, "We've slept in this bed together before."
Ash remained unconvinced, so May decided to play her trump card. She gave him her best puppy dog eyes. Ash almost melted, he knew he had it bad for this girl.
"I was just hoping you'd hold me, like the night of the storm." May said sweetly, she could sense that Ash was giving up.
"Yeah, and you kissed me on the cheek the next day." Ash recalled, he moved a little closer to the bed.
"See, you remember." May smiled, knowing she had won. "Don't you wanna do that again?"
Ash sighed and got into the bed, "Okay..."
The boy stepped into the bed and May pulled the covers over both of them. She moved closer to Ash wrapped her arms around him, and laid her head on his chest. Ash responded by putting an arm around her as well, resulting in the position the two were in the night of the storm.
"Well, aren't you gonna say it?" May asked suddenly.
"Say what?" Ash asked, his density kicking in.
"You know," May said playfully. "That you love me."
"You know I do."
"Yeah, but I like to hear it."
"Oh, alright." Ash conceded and looked at the girl he held in his arms, "I love you May."
"And I love you Ashy."
The next day at Ash and May's last semifinal match...
C: "What a combination! Rhydon has gone down!"
A swift Razor Leaf from Bulby followed by an Iron Tail from Pikachu took down a tough Rhydon. Ash and May were competing in their last match against the team consisting of two boys named Jack and Gregory. Despite a few doubts from their family and friends, Ash and May's romance proves to be an asset as the two trainers are able to work much more effectively as a team.
J: "Now that Jack is out of the match, Gregory is down to his last pokemon."
C: "And Ash and May still have all four of their pokemon."
J: "It looks like Ash and May's last match is yesterday's news."
At the stands, everyone is amazed with Ash and May's improved preformance.
"They have improved as a team exponentially." Norman commented.
"I must say, I was quite mistaken when I said a romantic relationship could hurt their chances of winning this tournament." Oak added.
"The power of love knows no bounds!" Delia exclaimed, causing everyone to sweatdrop.
"We can pull this off Houndoom!" Gregory cried as he tossed a pokeball and a dog like creature materialized on the battlefield.
C: "Gregory has chosen Houndoom as his last pokemon."
"Take a rest Pikachu, you earned it." Ash called out to his best friend. The mouse ran off of the field and returned to Ash's side.
"You too Bulbasaur." May said as she returned Bulbasur to her pokeball. The trainers then chose their second pokemon.
"Go Corphish!"
"You too Skitty!"
The lobster and kitty appeared on the battlefield. Ash and May wasted no time in starting their attack
"Skitty Assist!" May cried. The kitty pokemon pointed a glowing paw at Houndoom, and fired a Silver Wind! Though the silvery gust did not cause Houndoom to lose its balance, the dog did have to brace itself giving Ash an attack opening.
"Corphish Bubblebeam!" Corphish obeyed and shot a stream of bubbles at his opponent through his pinsirs. The water type attack was devestaing to a fire type like Houndoom and it collapsed, but it remained conscious. Gregory was desperately trying to get his pokemon to fight back.
"Houndoom, do something, anything!"
C: "Ash and May are keeping the pressure going with relentless attacks, and leaving Gregory no room for a counter attack."
"Now Skitty Tackle!" May ordered. Skitty charged the fallen Houndoom and knocked it into the air. Ash was ready to finish it.
"Finish it with Crabhammer!" Corphish jumped into the air and struck Houndoom with a powerful glowing pinsir. The fire type was sent sprawling onto the ground, and quickly fainted.
"Houndoom is unable to battle!" the judge cried. "Ash Ketchum and May Maple advance to the victory tournament!"
C: "There you go folks! Ash and May win this match without losing a single pokemon."
J: "As of today, Ash Ketchum and May Maple are now in the Tag Battle victory tournament."
The crowd cheered loudly. Ash and May recalled their pokemon and congratulated them on a hard fought battle. Afterwards they embraced each other and kissed sweetly. The victory tournament was all that remained...
An hour later back at the hotel...
Everyone was gathered in the lobby awaiting the match-ups for the victory tournament when a voice came over the loudspeaker.
"Attention all participates. Due to a team withdrawing from the semifinals, Jessiebella and Jameson will advance to the victory tournament."
In the back, Team Rocket quietly celebrated.
"Jess, how'd ya get them to quit?" Meowth whispered to the red haired woman.
Jessie lowered her voice so James could not hear her, "It was easy, those saps were really interested in Jame's bottle cap collection so I gave them that..."
"What are you two whispering about?" James asked, a little suspicous.
"Just celebrating Jimmy, nothing else." Meowth lied hurriedly. Just then the video screen displayed the victory tournament match-ups, and Team Rocket was paired with...
"AH!" they screamed just a little too loudly. "NO, IT'S THE TWERPS!"
Back with Ash's group...
Ash glanced around the room after he heard someone scream, but decided to forget about it as he looked up at the video screen to see his and May's opponents.
"So you two are battling Jessiebella and Jameson." Brock commented.
"You two should beat them easily," said Max "they only got into the victory tournament by default."
"I'm not sure it will be easy son." Norman said, causing everyone to look at him quizzically. "These two supposedly fight dirty."
Ash wasn't threatened by Norman's words, "Don't worry everybody, when May and I work together nobody can stop us." The comment earned him a kiss on the cheek from May. Ash blushed and everyone else chuckled.
A few hours later...
All of Ash and May's friends had gone up into their rooms, leaving Ash and May and a few other trainers left in the lobby.
"So now were closer than ever to the championship." Ash reflected as he sat on the lobby sofa next to May. May snuggled close to Ash and decided now was a good time to bring up something she worked out with Misty.
"Ash can I ask you something?" the girl asked shyly.
"Ask away."
"Well, Misty offered to watch our pokemon," May explained as she twiddled her thumbs, "So you want to do something tomorrow?"
"Just us?" Ash asked.
May blushed at Ash's question, "Yeah, kinda like a date."
"I'd really like that." Ash earnestly agreed, causing May to blush even more. "Uh, how about a movie? I saw a theater a couple days ago..."
"Oh, I'd love that!" May squealed happily and hugged her boyfriend, "Thanks for asking Ashy!"
As the two trainers discussed plans for their date, Team Rocket was spying on them from the back of the room..
"So the twerp and twerpette are going on a date." Jessie mused.
"This is our chance to secure our victory." added James excitedly
"And with the twerps out of the way..." Meowth began.
"Team Rocket will be one step closer to a tournament victory!" they all cried in unison.
"Wobbuffet!" the psychic pokemon agreed.
And that's the chapter! What'd you think? It's funny, I felt all warm and fuzzy after writing this one. So, Ash and May are going out on their first date! But the Rockets are planning something to ruin their fun and take them out of the tournament. What is it? You'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out!
Later!