Return of the defeated (on hold)

/Part 9/

"Oh why so cold? I thought we were friends." he said acting sweetly towards her.

"Harley we've never been friends and we never will be, especially after all your cheap tricks." she said crossing her arms. The pokemon all growled lowly at him for ruining a moment between their trainers.

"Oh come on hun they were all fun and games. No harm ever really came of them." he grinned at them ignoring the growls, "By the way who his Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome?"

Ash already didn't care for Harley to begin but for some reason he really didn't like him right now. "Harley leave us alone, neither of us want deal with you right now. May already told you to leave so beat it."

"Just who do you think you are?" an annoyed Harley questioned. "And more importantly do you know who I am?"

"Hmmm a second rate coordinator, who apparently has zero fashion sense. I mean I don't have a whole lot of sense either but damn man you need a new style." Ash said with a smirk, "I also guess I shouldn't be too surprised you don't remember me, Pi take your place." With that command Pikachu jumped to his place on Ash's shoulder.

"K-ketchum you're back?" Harley stuttered out in shock. "I thought you were gone forever."

"No not for forever, just until I was ready. Now like May and I have both said leave or you'll be forced too." Ash said as Pikachu's cheeks began to spark. Without another word Harley spun around and stalked off. "May sorry about that, he always bothered me but he really got under my skin for some reason."

May felt so touched that Ash was that protective of her. "Its ok Ash I understand what you mean, he's gotten worse than when you met him. I usually don't have to deal with him much luckily, but this is the one of the few times I have to deal with him." May explained. "Though I've been able to beat him every time we've battled against each other, which makes it easier to handle him."

Ash couldn't help but smile hearing that May had beaten the purple haired menace. "Well I know you'll have no problem with him tomorrow if you end up facing him." he said with a confident smile. May blushed slightly at the comment and gave a Ash a hug.

"Thank you for that Ash that means a lot for you to say that."

"You're welcome May," Ash said feeling a small amount of heat in his cheeks, "We should head back to the center for the night, so you're rested for tomorrow." May nodded in agreement and the group left the garden and made their way back to their room for the night. May laid down with Glaceon curled up next her, Ash laid down with Pikachu on his pillow by his head and Lucario sat in a meditative position against the wall closing his eyes.

"Goodnight Ash sleep well." May said with a yawn.

"Goodnight May sweet dreams, see you in the morning." Ash replied. He laid in his bed reflecting over the events of the day he tried to understand his feelings once again. This time he seemed to make more headway in what they all meant, he realized that he had strong feelings for May, but were they love? He felt sleep begin to take him and the last thought that crossed his mind was May's smiling face.

Ash woke the next morning seeing that it was a little before six he looked over and seen May peacefully sleeping. He decided to let her rest a little while longer before the contest, so he quietly got ready to go for a workout. Pikachu and Lucario both silently stretched and waited while their trainer finished getting ready, once Ash was done they went outside to start. Ash led the way jogging through town jumping over different benches and other fixtures in the city. As they neared the city center they turned back towards ththe center and heading to the training fields. They rounded the corner and were met with an upset looking May. Her arms were crossed across her chest as she glared at Ash.