May's Crush

Chapter 14:Candidate

Ash and May stood up and walked toward the counter where a cheerful James took the money for the ice cream, gave them their change, and bid them farewell as they walked out the door. After walking toward the Pokémon Center for a few minutes, May began to complain about the heat.

"Ash!" the girl whined, "can't we go do something? The heat is killing me!"

Ash was glad to be wearing his hat again. Although he thought it smelled like May's shampoo. "I guess we could ask Misty if we could go swimming in the Gym Pool…" Ash thought out loud.

"That's a great idea, Ash!" May grabbed his arm and pulled him along. As Ash was being pulled along, he heard some ruffling in the bushes behind him. He turned his head, and the ruffling ceased. For the second time today, Ash felt as if he was being followed.

May managed to drag them to the Gym, stepping through the door. This time, no one was sitting at the counter. "Hello?" Ash called out.

"Are you here, Misty?" May added.

"Pikachuuu!" the Pokémon put his words in.

The crimson-headed Gym leader stomped into the entrance area. The fire in her eyes was unmistakable.

"You…" she growled, "you…"

"What, Misty?" May was startled.

"You bat faced weasel!" Misty shouted at the girl as she brought her hand across the coordinator's face. May held her cheek, tears forming in her eyes.

"Misty!" Ash grabbed her by the shoulders. "What's gotten into you?"

"I know what she's been doing to you, Ash!" Misty shook free and faced down May. The young girl held her face, tears streaming.

"What do you mean, Misty?" Ash held her back.

"She's been taking advantage of you!" Misty turned to Ash, grabbing him by the collar.

Ash shook himself from Misty's grip. "What do you mean, Misty?" Ash's voice was serious, now. "And why all the pressure against May?"

"I know what she's been doing to you!" Misty shouted at him. Misty turned to the girl who had been stunned silent since the slapping. "She's a two-faced, conniving, cruel monster!" she shouted, pointing at the girl. May looked up to Misty, her eyes full of sadness and disbelief.

"Misty, the only one being two-faced right now is you!" Ash pulled her back. Her spun her around and glared intensely in her eyes. "Now tell me what's going on!"

"She's been hurting you, Ash!" Misty shouted at him, anger and compassion in her voice. "I can't stand to see my best friend like this!"

"What do you mean?" Ash was puzzled.

With that, Misty brought her hand down sharply into Ash's right shoulder. The boy cried out, and fell to his knees, his left hand gripping the point.

"Ow…" Ash moaned…" what'd you do that for?"

"To show you how the injuries she's inflicted on you affect you!" Misty snapped at him.

Pikachu leapt from Ash's back to his defense. "Pikaaa…" the normally friendly Pokémon stood his ground, sparks flying from his cheeks. "Pikachupi, pika pika Pikapi pi Pikachu, pika pi-ka!"

"So I see you're in on this, too, Pikachu." Misty looked down her nose at him. "I'm surprised. I thought you'd be the one to help him against her, but I see you're just as weak willed as he is."

"Misty!" May spoke up, "stop! Quit hurting your friends! Just give us a chance to explain!"

"And give you a chance to charm your way back with lies?" a voice from the pool room called out. Harley, with a stern and serious look on his face, stepped into the room.