Part 2

"I have a feeling that Roselia might be at the other side of the lake," May said as she panted. The two coordinators zoomed across the woods as fast they can, following their Pokémon to where they had spotted Roselia.

"Yeah, she might be," Drew agreed with his companion. "Please let Roselia be there… and let her be safe," he wished to himself.

Unfortunately, unbeknownst to them, Team Rocket had rotten plans for their friend.

….

The night was so still and peaceful that even perhaps a small twig that fell from a tree could be heard. Roselia felt incredibly exhausted, both from her rigid training and from her crying. She wondered whether she should head back, or just stay in the forest for the time-being until she has fully recovered emotionally. She chose the latter.

Just as she curled herself to sleep, Roselia felt an eerie presence from behind, as if someone was watching her. Vigilantly, she stood from the ground and positioned herself into a battle stance. Suddenly, the sound of sinister laughter surrounded the area. Because she was too weak from hunger, fatigue, and emotional turmoil, her senses could not point out the particular location as to where the sound came from.

"Seviper, Poison Tail now!"

The attack was quick, and since she had very limited strength left, she could not battle in her defense. The Poison Tail attack not only pounded her to a pulp, it had also poisoned her. Roselia was so weak that she could not even stand any longer. She wanted to cry for help, but she had no more tears left to shed.

"One more time, Seviper. Poison Tail!" came the second command.

The attack swept Roselia to the middle of the lake. Faintly, she felt as if she had heard someone scream her name. Slowly falling down to the depths of the cold waters, the Pokémon lost her consciousness.

"ROSELIA!" Drew yelled once more as he urgently jumped into lake where Roselia had fallen in. May was left to face Team Rocket on her own.

James frowned at Jessie. "Hey! You said we're going to capture and steal Roselia! Not beat it to a pulp and send it to the depths of the lake!"

Jessie chuckled. "Well sorry, I just got a little carried away. After all, all these stored up anger and envy should be released someway somehow," she said nonchalantly.

May felt her blood boil in fury. "Team Rocket! You're all going to be so sorry for ever doing that to Roselia! What did she or Drew ever do to you to deserve such a thing?!"

Jessie took one front step. "Well, if your boyfriend didn't keep winning all those contests with that Roselia then I wouldn't have to feel so much detestation towards it!"

May ignored the boyfriend remark. Her eyebrows narrowed down, and eyes dimmed in anger. One of her hands clenched to a fist, and the other directly pointed towards the three. "Beautifly, Masquerain… Silver Wind now!" Obeying the Pokémon Coordinator's instruction, both Pokémon released powerful shining gust-like whirlwinds towards Team Rocket. The power of the attack caused an explosion upon impact and sent the three flying off to the distance.

"I just remembered…" James said as they flew across the cool night sky.

"What?" Meowth asked.

"We didn't even get a chance to say our motto…" he replied with disappointed tone.

The three then merely sighed sadly as they all flew away in the 'signature' blast off.

May run off to the edge of the lake. "Drew! Please come out! Oh, please…" Beautifly and Masquerain worriedly watched behind the trembling girl, hoping that their friends would be all right and safe, as well.

…

Down under the cold waters of the lake, Drew swam down as fast as he can to reach Roselia. Sudden flashbacks of his journey with her suddenly surfaced his thoughts.

"Now Andrew," a sweet feminine voice spoke. "Don't wander off too far. Be home before dark, all right?" A young seven year-old Drew nodded. "Yes, Mom. Come on, don't worry so much." His mother smiled. "Just be safe, dear. Now go on."

The young Drew walked along to the central park of LaRousse City. It was quite early in the morning so there weren't much people around. Drew brought out a sandwich for his breakfast. The aroma must have caught the attention of a small group of green Pokémon who approached him. "Hey cool," the little boy said. "A bunch of Budew!" Taking some pieces from his sandwich, he shared with the Pokémon. Perceiving the young boy as kind and caring, the Budew started to play with him as thanks. Drew merely smiled at their gestures.

Not far from where he sat was one particular Budew that seemed to have caught his attention. It was all alone, hiding behind the tree. Slowly walking towards it, he smiled. The shy Budew took a few steps back in fear and nervousness. "Please, don't be scared. Look, I have a sandwich I'd like to share with you…" The Budew then slowly and carefully walked towards the sandwich to examine it. Taking a tiny piece, it gave the food a try. She then smiled as to show she did indeed like it. "I have more if you like, please, take as much!" Drew offered. From then on the two became close friends.

…

Drew then recalled several events after he had Budew as his very own Pokémon. Memories of him and Budew such as the times they had gone through some extensive and committed training, the times when Budew had evolved into Roselia, and the most especially, the moment they had both decided to compete in the Pokémon Contest Spectaculars and become such talented Pokémon Coordinators. He also remembered his first ribbon, his series of wins, his loss to Soledad… Roselia had been part of it all.

Roselia faintly opened her eyes as she felt someone firmly yet gently hold her and pull her to an embrace. The sight was blurry, but she knew all too well whom it was. She felt her emotions at ease, yet was still too exhausted to even give a smile.

Just as Drew had resurfaced from the lake, May immediately jumped in to help pull them out. Beautifly and Masquerain assisted as well. With their combined efforts, Drew and Roselia were pulled out of the icy waters and to the ground. The four breathed heavily as the exercise did quite take a toll on them.

Drew lied on his back, with Roselia safe in his arms. He then turned to his right to face the panting girl. "Hey May… T-Thanks a lot… I owe you one," he said weakly. May shook her head, and fixed her hair behind her ear. "You don't owe me a thing, Drew," she smiled. "I'm just really happy you and Roselia are safe." Before Drew could speak in response, the colors of the sky transitioned to a pinky peach hue. It was dawn, and the sun has begun to rise. Drew felt his eyes grow heavy, and so, began to fall into a deep slumber. May, too, was just as tired and so fell asleep beside her rival.

After about an hour, several surprised gasps, puzzled voices, and even some giggles from a group of familiars could be heard.

…

"Oh no! That was a super-effective attack from Lorraine's Gallade to May's Skitty!" exclaimed Viridian Meridian, the Hoenn region's contest host. Three red X's from the judges' panel then appeared to signal that the battle is over.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! We now have the winner for the Roseli City Contest Spectacular – Miss Lorraine, from Rota Town! To commemorate her achievement, Mr. Contesta will be awarding our winner with the Roseli Ribbon."

May called back her Skitty. "Thank you Skitty, you were really great out there," she spoke to the pink feline Pokémon as it rested within the Pokéball. May sighed, not out of disappointment, but of her exhaustion. Lorraine then walked towards May and extended a gloved hand. "You're a brilliant Pokémon Coordinator, May. I wish you I had the opportunity to battle you at your most optimal, you seem exhausted! I wish you all the best in the future," she said as she shook her opponent's hand.

"Thank you, Miss Lorraine. You're really good too!"

"You've gotten better," came a quite proud voice from behind the red-clad coordinator. "That means I'll just have to train harder myself."

May smiled. "Drew, I see you're feeling better."

Flicking his hair, Drew replied with a smirk, "I am. Nurse Joy said Roselia's just going to be fine. I hope you're feeling better too, May." With that, he handed her one of his signature May-exclusive beautiful red roses. He then faced the winner of the contest, "Oh, congratulations Miss Lorraine. You sure are a real tough one," he praised as he extended his hand for her to shake.

"Thank you, Drew… right?" she smiled as she shook his hand in thanks. "I see you and May here are quite an item," she teased.

May felt her blush warm her cheeks. "Oh no! It's not like that!" she nervously shook her head. Drew just stood there calm and nonchalant, yet his eyes evident of a puzzled expression. Lorraine giggled at May and Drew's reactions. "You're both so cute. I don't think Drew here just gives roses to just any random girl or even the contests winners, am I right, May? Drew?" All May could reply was an awkward laugh, whilst Drew shrugged his shoulders with a smirk.

"I should better be going now. It was nice talking to you both. Good luck in the future, you two," Lorraine said with a wink. "You both know what I mean." With that she headed towards the exit.

Drew turned his head to speak with May. "I think we should both head out too. I'll just pass by the Pokémon center to see how Roselia's recovered. So, see you…" Before he could even turn away, May took hold of his upper arm.

"I… uh, want to go with you," she said, red tints blushing her cheeks. "I just want to see and make sure Roselia's doing fine too… A-And besides, I'll be meeting Ash and Brock there anyways."

With a mere nod, Drew gestured her to walk with him to the Pokémon Center.

…

The walk to the Pokémon Center was a silent one. Drew had his hands in his pockets, whilst May had hers clasped behind her. The path tinted of a golden glow due to the sun's rays. It appears that dusk is upon them.

"You know May," Drew began, breaking the silence between them. "I don't think you lost to Miss Lorraine today because of your skill… It may be because you were exhausted and had no sleep at all."

May nodded. "Yeah, I guess so too…"

After a few minutes of more quiet time, May gathered the courage to break the silence once more. "Hey Drew," she asked, turning her head to face him.

"Yeah?" Drew replied, yet did not turn to face her.

The red-clad Pokémon Coordinator then began to play with her fingers. "Did you really mean that? Y-You know… when you said I've gotten better?"

"Uh huh," he said coolly, still not turning to face her. "And I was serious when I said I might need to train harder because that. Emphasis on… might," he teased.

May folded her hands. "Awww, come on. You know I was good, and I'm getting better. Scared that you might lose to me next time? Especially when I'm fully recharged."

"Not at all."

The Pokémon Center now came in view as May and Drew were only a few meters away. The sun started to set, and the golden hue transitioned to a deep scarlet orange.

"Will you stay the night at the Pokémon Center?" Drew asked his companion, now turning to face her this time. May gave it a few minutes of thought before replying.

"I think so, since it's going to get dark soon."

Drew simpered. "All right."

The curious girl raised a brow. "Why'd you ask?" Only to which Drew merely replied, "Nothing." May fumed at this, and so, gave pout. "Oh okay."

Drew chuckled to himself. "You know, there's this new garden café just by the contest stadium. It's open twenty-four seven," he told her as they entered the red and white building that is the Pokémon Center. They approached the lovely Nurse Joy at the counter and asked for Roselia.

Drew released Roselia from her Pokéball. She seemed fighting fit, and had never felt better. Upon seeing her beloved Trainer's face, she jumped towards him for an embrace, of which was symbolic of her forgiveness and gratitude. May felt touched at the scene, most especially as she had never seen this softer side of Drew. "Well… at least I could tease him about it sometime," she giggled to herself.

The young brunette Pokémon Coordinator then tapped on her rival's shoulder. "Hey Drew, about the garden café… Are you up for another all-nighter?" Drew smiled as he carried Roselia on his shoulder.

"Hmm, guess you just read my mind."

THE END

Author's Message: Yes, and that is the end, folks! Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please do review and if you do, don't forget to tell me your favorite berry(ies)! Hahaha! Thanks and have an awesome day/night!