Ash, "May and Drew are the last ones."
Gou, "Oooh! This might be one of her toughest contests."
Ruby nodded, "Agreed! But that is to be expected, after winning two ribbons she is no longer considered a rookie. This will be her third ribbon if she wins."
Max, "Go May! Show them what you got."
Molly, "Yeah May, show them who is boss."
Drew, "You have adorable cheerleaders."
May, "Thank you, Drew. Do not think you can win this easily."
Drew smirked, "Is that so?"
May smirked back, "Yes!"
Announcer, "Looks like we are about to see something exciting folks."
May, 'Okay, time to see if my training did any good.'
Host, "Choose your Pokemon. Remember, it will be your final and only Pokemon."
May, "Let's go, my beautiful Azumarill."
Azumarill appeared with charm hearts around her, "Azumarill."
Drew, "Cute! But it will not be enough. Show them who is the Queen of stage, Serperior."
Serperior appeared among a shower of petals, "Serperior."
Host, "And the countdown begins."
Drew, "Serperior magical leaf with leech seed."
May, "Water gun followed by disarming voice."
Serperior used magical leaf that was bright healthy green and had glowing pink coloured seed among it. The attack looked really pretty and majestic as it formed around the field in a circle and targeted Azumarill. On the other hand, Azumarill used water gun to jump away from the reach of the leech seed and magical leaf. She found a place to collect her wits and then used disarming voice to deactivate one attack move. The magical leaf had stopped attacking her but the leech seed was still a problem. May looked at the field and bit her lip, contest battle was dependent on points so if she could just hold on, they had a slim chance to win. Drew however narrowed his eyes at the water slash fairy type and had to admit, this would be a little tough to simply win. He knew better than to think he had the type advantage, his run ins with Ash had made it clear type advantage was limited to biology not battle. Plus, he had noticed Ash put May and her Pokemon through the wringer during training, he would have to focus.
Drew, "Serperior mega drain and trail blaze."
May's eyes widened, "Azumarill light screen and metronome."
Serperior used trail blaze to zip around Azumarill who used light screen to create a light coloured dome around herself. Serperior narrowed her eyes and looked at Drew as she zipped around her prey. Drew saw the look and nodded at Serperior who started to use mega drain to absorb the energy from Azumarill. Just like the albino had thought, the shield was not as strong as it looked making it easy for her to absorb her opponent's energy. Azumarill faltered and stopped using the shield jumping back while staring at her opponent warily. May was observing the field, Azumarill was not weak but unlike the rest of her Pokemon she lacked experience in battling. She preferred to run after her mom's Golduck, which while cute really threw off the training sessions she planned. Not to forget, Golduck was not impressed and prefered the company of her Dad's female Pokemon. It took a while but she finally managed to get Azumarill to take training seriously and they trained hard together.
May, "Azumarill, stay calm. Now, release your metronome."
Azumarill nodded and released hydro pump, "Rill."
May, 'Right! Golduck knows hydro pump.'
Drew, "Going all out, are we? Very well, Serperior leaf blade full power."
Serperior's eyes glowed and her tail too and then she used trail blaze to zip straight towards Azumarill despite the hydro pump being thrown at her. Serperior had to admit, despite being the weaker type Azmarill had put up a good defense. However, it was not enough and she cut through the hydro pump, breaking the water wave into two and hitting Azuumarill. The two Pokemon were at a standstill for a few seconds but then they heard the familiar ding coming from the point board. May gasped, she was so focused into the battle, she forgot this was a contest for a moment. She felt her face flush when she noticed that her points were at a zero while Drew's was still at fifteen percent. May wanted to facepalm but took a deep breath to calm herself down while the host announced Drew as the winner of the Contest ribbon. She went to Azumarill and checked on her instead and the water type assured her she was fine though now she had a burning desire to win the next battle. May stood up after patting Azumarill and shook hands with Drew who complimented her for lasting so long against his Serperior.
Drew, "I will not deny, you almost had us with that last attack."
May, "Next time I will win, just watch."
Serperior, "Serperior ser perior." (I hope next time you will be less scared to fight.)
Azumarill, "Azumarill azu, ma azumarill." (I was not scared, just thinking best way to defeat you.)
Serperior, "Ser serperior ser, serperi." (Leave the planning to your partner, you fool.)
Azumarill, "Azu!" (Hey!)
Serperior, "Serperior serpe. Rior perior. Serperior rior!" (You are a team. Trust her. Remember that!)
Lucario heard the conversation, -That is what they are saying down there.-
Ash, "Ah! I see Azumarill has found a rival she wants to battle then."
Max, "That is a good thing, right?"
Molly, "It will give her a reason to train and become stronger."
Ruby, "Nothing like a good rival to pump you up to train and battle."
Gou nodded, "Agreed!"
Molly, "Let's go meet her."
Max was the first to get up and rush down, "May!"
May turned, "Ah Max! I was heading to the Pokemon Centre."
Max, "Let's go together."
Ash, "You guys go ahead. I will meet up with you soon."
Ruby, "Ah yes! You are rivals with Drew as well. I suppose you wish to congratulate him personally."
Ash, "It is good manners."
May called, "Ash, could you train me more seriously after this, please? I do not want to lose to him again."
Ash, "You sure?"
May nodded, "Very!"
Ash, "Alright! Get your Pokemon healed and rested for today. We will start training tomorrow which meeans, no more sleeping in."
May winced but nodded determined, "Do not worry, I will take the training seriously."
Ash, "Alright, we start tomorrow. Get some rest tonight."
Ruby, "Do you want me to tag along?"
Ash, "Nah! I am good. Besides, if someone tries something I am sure drew and I can handle it."
May watched him go, "He really trust Drew. Are we sure they are rivals?"
Gou, "Well, Drew was pretty interested in Ash before. He rose to fame pretty quick and the way he did stuff is still unconventional till today."
Ruby, "Mmmm... Yes, I agree, not everyone would try to do both contest and Gym challenge and come out on top."
Max had a thoughtful look, "I think I remember my classmates talking about how different and strange it was too. I thought it was really cool though."
Molly, "I want to do both Gym challenge and contest too."
May, "I think I will challenge the Gym too in the next region. I need to up my training first though and get my Pokemon in shape."
Honchkrow whapped her with his wing, "Honchkrow krow honch."
May whined, "I know, I know. I am sorry for not being stricter, Honchkrow. Stop!"
Max, "It looks more like your Pokemon will train you instead, May."
May sighed as Honchkrow berated her more making her feel like a child instead of a trainer sometimes and she does not know how that is even possible. While the group was talking and heading to the Pokemon centre, Ash headed in the direction of the other exit in search of one of his oldest rivals. Drew was heading to the Pokemon centre too but first he was getting his Pokemon a treat for the victory. Lucario noticed the green haired teen was by a stall selling treats and baked goods aimed towards Pokemon. Drew noticed them and waved them over offering the food which Diance was delighted to get and share with Ralts. Drew stared at the Kalos legendary and then looked at his oldest rival with questions in his eyes. Ash shook his head and asked him to wait till they went somewhere a lot more private area which Drew agreed to. They headed out to the Pokemon centre and the Nurse advised the Pokemon to rest and they would be fine.
Drew invited Ash to his room, "So, want to explain?"
Ash, "You will have to be specific."
Drew, "I ran into Team Aqua and guess what I found there. A folder with your name on it or rather an incident reporting you meeting Kyogre."
Ash, "Huh? When did I meet Kyogre? I think I would have known."
Drew, "On your first day in Hoenn."
Ash, "What were you doing snooping around Team Aqua?"
Drew, "I was minding my own business when they crossed my path. I figured I would borrow some of your ideas and disguised myself to get some hot tea. Did I learn a lot of hot tea!"
Ash sweat dropped, "I see, sounds like you had fun."
Drew, "Ash, they are watching you and your group. You do realise that right? That means they know that you have Diance and most likely you have a Lugia too."
Ash, "Yes, that is a high possibility. It is the reason why I travel like I am being stalked and I would not surprised if I really was."
Drew frowned, "You are too calm about this."
Ash, "I mean they are not attacking to murder us like Team Rocket did back in Kanto."
Drew, "That does not make me feel better, Ash."
Ash, "I am being practical, Drew. I know I have a target on me. Ever since I met Giratina, I knew it would happen at some point."
Drew, "Wait a minute!!! You met Giratina? Giratina, one of Sinnoh's most elusive Legendary God - like Pokemon."
Ash, "Uhhh... I should not have said that."
Drew pinched his nose, "Tell me everything! I knew Gary was keeping things to himself when I talked to him about a few things last time."
Ash explained his first day in Hoenn, "And that is all that happened."
Drew (°ロ°), "You little!", he took a deep breath ╚(•⌂•)╝, "How did that any of that even happen in the first place?"
Ash ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, "Fuck me if I know."
Drew, "Be serious about this!"
Ash, "Sorry, sorry, honestly I have no idea. I was minding my own business and travelling peacefully with my group."
Drew sighed, "I do not even know why I am surprised. I still remember the report I read about you in Kanto and the news from Orange Archipalego. Then the incident in Jhoto."
Ash, "It was a three out of three. No, I have no idea why and how I was in time for any of those incidents since I was busy trying not to be killed."
Drew eyed him, "Is your crazy Uncle... Uhh... Relative still trying to get you to join him?"
Ash, "Unfortunately! Luckily, he does not have any power here so I had no trouble from him yet."
Drew, "That is good to hear. You had all of us speechless when you told us one of your relatives joined Team Rocket. You know the group that hurt you and your Pokemon too."
Ash, "Life can be a bitch that way. He will either brainwash me or kill me if he cannot brainwash me and make me part of his group."
Lucario snarled, -I will not let him touch you.-
Abra, -I will keep your mind safe, Meema.-
Diance nodded, -Me too.-
Ralts, "Ralts."
Absol looked at Ash seriously, "Sol absol."
Eevee looked solemn, "Vui!"
Phanphy who was normally energetic frowned as well, "Phan."
Ash, "Thank you but do not worry, I am not giving in that easily."
Drew muttered hugging him, "You better not!"
Ash hugged him back, "I am stubborn, you know that."
Drew, "I know! Just let me hug you to assure myself you are alive and here."
Ash, "You have been holding that in, huh?"
Drew, "Wait till Paul and Gary sees you in person. They will not let you out of their sights, I bet."