Return of the defeated (on hold)

/Part 9/

"Why didn't you wake me up? We said we'd workout together from now on." She said in an irritated tone.

"I'm sorry May, I know we said we would, but you looked so peaceful and beautiful. I also thought you'd like to have more sleep today because of the contest." Ash said holding his hands up defensively.

May's voice caught in her throat, "Y-you think I'm beautiful?" she stammered out.

"Well yeah I do." Ash said sheepishly while rubbing his arm with a deep blush on his cheeks.

May was shocked to say the least. Ash Ketchum just called her beautiful, she never thought she'd hear those words. "I..uh..um thank you Ash." she finally managed to say fighting back a blush.

The pair stood in an awkward silence with their pokemon looking between the the two of them. Ash coughed and happened to see the time on his xtransceiver "Oh May we need to get you to the contest hall, so you won't be late for registration."

"Oh crap you're right we need to hurry!" she said grabbing her bag and Ash taking off towards to contest hall. They made it with time to spare and got May registered for the contest. They momentarily forgot about the awkwardness from early as Ash wished May good luck giving her a quick hug.

"Glaceon go sit with Ash ok and behave yourself." she said as she scratched the ice types ears. She gave a playful yip and went and sat with Pikachu on Ash's lap.

May was in the preparation room getting changed into her contest dress which was a royal blue gown that cut off midway down her calves and had half sleeves. The dress fit her form perfectly showing that she had definitely matured over the last few years. Just as she was finishing styling her hair she heard an old familiar voice, she turned and smiled at the person.

"Hello May it has been a while since we've seen each other." the red haired woman said.

"Solidad it's great to see you again. How have you been?" May said giving her friend/rival a hug.

I've been well, I took a year off the train my pokemon's battle power and to work on some moves in secret. How about you? I heard that you're traveling with Ash again now that he has returned home."

"I've been great. Yeah we decided to take on the Kanto region together and traveling with him is just like the old days. He's helping me train and taught me a few moves that could help." she said with smile. Just then the PA system turned on alerting everyone that the contest was about to begin. The lights in the contest hall cut out, except for a single spot light shone down on Lilian the Kanto Contest Announcer.

"We just made it in time." a voice whispered next to Ash, he turned seeing Lucy and Brock take seats next to him.

"Glad you guys made it, it'll mean a lot to May that you're here to cheer her on." Ash said with a smile, just then a voice came through the speakers.

"Welcome everyone to the Pewter City Contest and the beginning of this contest season." she said brightly as the crowd cheered with excitement. "Now let's introduce our Coordinators that are here today." She waved her hand towards the side of stage as the competitors walked out waving. The group noticed May quickly then seeing Solidad a few positions behind her and Ash's face grew slightly dark seeing Harley near the end of the group on stage. "We'll introduce our judges, first we have Mr. Contesta, second Mr. Sukizo and finally Pewter City's Nurse Joy. Now that we've introduced everyone let the appeal round begin."