A/N: First I am not abandoning Burning Nightmare. I just needed a little break from the emotional intensity of that story. This will be updated now and again but it is primarily going to be romantically driven with a little bit of pokemon fighting. This one will be Ash and May. Kinda need it for the story line to work. I have read a fair number of pokemon stories and a common thread seems to be the revenge/betrayal stories where Ash's friends turn on him. Of course he comes back and proves them all wrong in the end. I kinda had an idea about this kind of thread in reverse. What if Ash gave up on his dream of becoming a Pokemon Master despite his friend's protests? I figured I would explore this. If someone else has done this already I apologize I just haven't found it yet. I will probably continue this based on interest from people/when I need a break from Burning Nightmare.

Chapter 1 – Destiny comes calling

Kanto –Ketchum Residence

"Phone call, Phone call." The Ketchum's vid phone system called out to the empty residence in vain. A television was left on by the residents and a TV reporter continued to provide the evening news. "And in other news Pallet House has expanded for the fifth time in the past four years making Celadon City the newest site. Ms. Ketchum the original owner and head chef of the Pallet Town, Pallet House, gives all credit to her son who returned to assist his mother four years ago. We here at the channel 5 station wish the Ketchum's good luck on their latest venture into Celadon City." Once more the vid phone rang. "Phone call, Phone call." After a few more rings when no one picked up the vid phone finally went silent. The caller on the other end giving up on finding either of the normal residents at the house since if someone was home the phone would have been answered almost immediately.

Kanto – Pallet House Corporate Headquarters.

"Phone call, Phone call." A groan came from Ash when he heard his vid phone chirping by his desk. "Come on who the hell is calling this late." Muttering in displeasure at the late call that was probably a business call knowing his luck, Ash took a quick look into the mirror. Straightening up his tie and making sure his suit was buttoned, he decided he looked tidied up enough for the call. One last attempt to straighten out his mess of a hair and Ash hit the accept button.

A voice came out of the speakers before the video even had a chance to materialize. "Ash! I called your house and once more I find you at work! You are worse than Gramps!"

Sighing in resignation, Ash steeled himself for another "conversation" with his once rival and best friend. "Hello Professor. Oak." He let a bored tone enter his voice as a small smirk worked its way to the edge of his lips.

Watching in amusement, Ash watched as Gary beat his hand against the table in anger. "Don't you dare take that tone with me! You promised you would come out training last night and you were a no show for the fourth time this week."

"Sorry Gary but I had some issues with permits in Celadon and if I didn't get it straightened out it would have pushed opening back another week." Leaning back in his chair, Ash unbuttoned his suit jacket to relax a little. Carefully keeping his face blank, one glimmer of weakness and Gary would pounce like a Jolteon.

Gary's voice took on a mocking tone as he repeated Ash's words right back to him in a high pitched voice. "My name is Ash Ketchum and I have got super important things to do and am too busy ignoring my friends and pokemon to go home at a normal time like everyone else."

"Oh get off it Gary. You know I don't like the fact I am unable to train my pokemon as much as I used to able to."

"I'm just reminding you. After your mom got better you had a chance to return to your journey. You know complete your dream of becoming a Pokemon Master." Gary's face turned serious as he leaned in towards his monitor. "You know you let a lot of people down. So much talent and instead you sit behind a desk all day."

Twitching a little, Ash fought down the small tic of his eyebrow. It was really the only indication that Ash was getting annoyed. Over the years he had really gotten a hold of his anger to the point that it was rarely noticeable. Running an expanding business would do that to you. "We have been down this road before Gary. I am happy where I am. It may not be what I imagined I would be doing but I couldn't leave my mother again healthy or not. I am all she has and it would have killed her if I left again."

A sigh came across the speakers and momentarily distorted the sound. "I know I know. It is just that everyone misses you and whenever I run into Max or Dawn they always ask after you. Hell even some of the pokemon gym leaders that lost to you miss you."

"Hey I see everyone now and again!" Denial and indignation started to creep through Ash's voice. Mostly because both Gary and Ash knew that by now and again, Ash meant the Christmas party that Dawn threw every year in an attempt to get all of the gang together with a few notable exceptions.

Snorting at Ash's comment, Gary rolled his eyes in disbelief. "Look Ashy boy seeing everyone at Christmas and when they blow through town on their next journey really doesn't count. Anyway I did have an ulterior motive for calling you."

Warning lights started to flash in Ash's mind. Gary and ulterior motive never ended well for him that was a fact. "And what is that?" He almost didn't want to know and hoped it wasn't what he thought it was.

"Yeah, you think your mom could handle running Pallet House for a while maybe say a month or so?"

"Probably…I mean I would have to check in now and again. Perhaps run a few meetings but I could let most of the day to day operations go to my mother for a while." Musing a little over the details and what he could hand over without his mother yelling at him. She had been insisting that he needed a vacation for a while now.

Gary's grin almost sparkled as he realized that he had Ash just where he wanted him. "Excellent because guess what!" Leaving no time for Ash to respond, Gary plowed on with his information. "They just announced a new tournament in Kanto region. It is called the Light of the Stars Tournament. It is going to be the first tournament ever that will be for both Coordinators and Trainers. They are going to have separate tournaments for the Coordinators and the Trainers and then for those that think they have the skills there will be a tournament that incorporates battle and pageantry. Only the best Trainers and Coordinators will be invited. It just so happens that our entire group qualifies one way or another. Even our elusive Ash Ketchum who disappeared off of the battle scene over four years ago still commands enough respect to warrant an invite."

"That's great Gary…I am still not interested." Ash flatly declined the invitation, truthfully he was not that interested in competing any more.

"Oh come on Ketchum! Even May is going to be there! Max told us so and no one has seen her in four years. Even Max has only had contact with her over the phone she has been so busy. Say what happened between you two anyway? One second you two are inseparable. Your mother gets sick and all of a sudden you both drop off the face of the earth."

"May? But…I thought she wouldn't have the time with her career and all." Pausing a moment, Ash realized a little too late he had shown interest. Interest equated weakness in Gary's mind. 'Ah shit…'

Even over the computer monitor Gary's eyes practically glittered in excitement. "Well it isn't a surprise really I mean she is going to be covering it, being that she is now the co-host of the Coordinator network's Battler's Review."

A frown crossed Ash's features as he worked everything out. "May never agreed did she. You just convinced everyone else to get together…probably on Dawn's insistence. Once you get my approval you are planning on ambushing May and catching her completely unaware. Then you and Dawn are going to attempt to push May and I back together." Judging by Gary's nervous face, Ash knew that he had either hit the nail on the head or was close enough that Gary realized the jig was up.

"Well…no…Dawn just thought it would be a surprise for you two. Everyone together again for a reunion and catch up on everything, you gotta admit Ash boy after you gave up we all started to drift apart. You were the glue that held us all together."

Knowing that if he rejected Gary's request, Dawn would step in and start her warpath of persuasion until Ash would finally cave, he decided to just cut to the quick. "Fine Gary…fine but you and Dawn are not allowed to play match maker or so help me I will kill the both of you. You are both worse than teenage girls." Grumbling in resignation over his voluntary torture, Ash pulled up the details on the Light of the Stars tournament on his computer.

On the other line Gary was already pumping his arm in victory. "Alright! Now Ash I already have a training schedule set up for you and your pokemon to get back into fighting shape."

"No."

"What do you mean no? You just agreed to go to the tournament with us! That means you have to enter Ashy boy!"

"I agreed to go with you but that doesn't mean I agreed to enter the actual tournament. I will just be another spectator."

Gary appeared a little downtrodden at Ash's proclamation until a moment later a small smirk came to his face. "Well that is too bad. I did you the honor of entering you into the tournament for you! I knew you wouldn't do it without a little push!"

"GARY!" Yelling only caused the spikey haired researcher to laugh aloud before blowing a raspberry at his overly mature friend.

"Sorry Ash! Ta Ta for now, I will be over tomorrow night to start training with you. I did the honor of selecting your three teams for you!"

"Gary!" Call terminated flashed across Ash's screen. The bastard had cut out before Ash could respond. Sighing in frustration, Ash checked the time. It was a little past six in the evening which meant his mother was probably still at the Pallet House in town taking care of the dinner rush.

Letting his eyes wander over the numerous pictures and accolades that decorated his office, Ash found himself stopping on one in particular. It was the first exposé on him really and it was right after his mother had turned the corner for the better. Ash had originally taken over Pallet House to hold it down for his mother so it did not go under. Those first few months he thought he was going to lose her, the cancer had been bad…real bad stage 3 with no signs of stopping.

Somehow though his mother not only pulled through but she was healthier than ever before from what the Doctor's had told them. Reading the print a small smile came to his face. "Ash Ketchum the only son to the popular Delia Ketchum took over the Pallet House to try to keep it afloat. Surprisingly in this heart breaking story, this young man must have truly found his calling. Pallet House became a go to place for travelers and locals alike. With Ash's simple slogan of 'We guarantee to satisfy anyone's pallet at Pallet House' he found his business burgeoning. Today we celebrate Pallet House's first expansion into Pewter Town. The locals and travelers alike are already excited to be able to experience Pallet House cuisine. We hope that Mr. Ketchum continues to surprise us with his unique cooking for years to come."

It had really been a personal achievement for him. To be honest he had never expected Pallet House to take off like it did. When he returned home to his at the time dying mother he just wanted to keep Pallet House afloat until his mother passed. Seeing Pallet House go under would have broken his mother just the same as if he left again. The year of traveling had been hard on his mother. When he was younger he was too youthful and ignorant to see it. By the time he had traveled to Sinnoh he willfully ignored. Unova caused him to feel like scum of the earth, every time she called she would hide the tears and he would smile like he didn't notice. Unova was also when he learned she was dying. Of course his mother tried to hide it. That was until Professor Oak called.

In a way Ash was thankful for the man's intervention. If not for him he may have never returned home. Small pinpricks tugged at the corners of his eyes. Getting lost in the past was a dangerous thing to do. Too many regrets resided in the past and he kept those at bay by living in the present.

Wiping his eyes with the back of his suit sleeve and muttering to himself, Ash decided to indulge himself in his guilty pleasure. With a flick of the remote laying on his rich red oak executive style desk, a large TV screen blinked to life across the room.

May Maple's image suddenly filled the screen as Battler's Review started. Whatever her cohost just said must have been hilarious because May was laughing so hard a snort escaped from her before she covered up her mouth with an embarrassed hiccup.

"Welcome back to Battler's Review! My lovely co-host May Maple is currently being murdered by my charming personality." The screen panned out to take in both May Maple and a blonde haired man. Ash honestly never bothered to learn the man's name because he found him obnoxious. A smattering of applause from the audience indicated that most people felt differently about the man on screen.

"Barry Stop it! You are not funny!" Swinging her arms wildly and obviously enraged, May was making an attempt at Barry's life from the looks of it.

For his part, Barry managed to fend off the violent woman while managing to keep his laughter in check. "Alright alright I am sorry May but seriously can we get down to business?"

"I don't know what you are talking about. I am always the height of professionalism." On screen May visibly took a moment to compose herself and wave her hand across her flushed face.

"Right right but you know the newest tournament is coming up in only a few months!

"Well of course Barry everyone knows that only the greatest trainers and coordinators are being invited to the Light of the Stars tournament. This is going to be one of the greatest productions ever and the first attempt to merge both battlers and pageants into one event! I for one am excited!"

Laughing at the gun ho attitude his co-host displayed, Barry waved his arms to calm the screaming live audience down to a manageable level. "Yes it will be an event to remember. I am just as excited since we are going to be hosting our show right from the tournament grounds from start to finish! Tune in right here for the most up to date coverage."

"Yes we will bring you all the information you need all the top trainers and more!" Chiming in, May shot a winning smile to her audience both in studio and at home.

Barry smile for a moment longer before his face became serious. "Speaking of trainers there are some rumors that Ash Ketchum is not only coming out of retirement but has a shot at taking the whole conference. People will remember him from his solid placements in all the major regional cups. From talking with both gym leaders and Masters of the arts alike they all believe that Ash's time off may actually work in his favor."

Hundreds of miles away from the studio, Ash was plastered in his seat watching on in horror as they brought his name up. Skin that was normally a tan color had suddenly turned white as Ash's mind was racing wondering who had started this rumor up. In fact Gary had only confirmed he would be attending minutes ago. This meant the source was probably Dawn…the girl had a tendency to gossip just a little too much.

"Woah woah woah. Hold on a moment. Ash Ketchum is competing?" This was the first time May was hearing about this and it showed. Genuine surprise was clearly evident on her face.

Barry gave her an odd look before a light bulb seemed to go off in his head. "Hey yeah! I forgot you traveled with the Restaurant Magnate during his trip through Hoenn didn't you!"

"Err…yeah but that was years ago."

"Well no problem. I am sure two old friends would love to catch up and what better time than an interview on Battler's Review! I just spoke with our Director before we aired and he just confirmed that Ash would be giving his first public interview concerning his time off and what he has been doing to get back into peak performance for this tournament on Battler's Review!"

The rest of the show was lost on Ash. Instead he was stuck just staring blankly at the TV. The only conciliation was that May appeared to be in the same boat as he was currently in. Currently the most prominent thought going through Ash's mind was how he was going to kill Gary and Dawn. Most likely this was all Dawn with Gary providing the fine details concerning Ash but he didn't care. "I'm going to leave this office. Go to Gary's house and kill him. I am sure Professor Oak will understand."

After what felt like hours but was probably only until the remainder of the show wrapped up, Ash sat in his chair just thinking up ways on how to murder Gary. Finally realizing it was getting dark out, Ash packed up for the day and headed home. He would deal with this problem tomorrow…hopefully.

A/N: Well tell me what you think and if anyone is interested in a story line like this continuing. I know it is a departure from Burning Nightmare but I will say in a way it is really easy to write. If I garner enough interest the next chapter will probably be a further set up to the tournament and some training. I will probably move to the tournament fairly quickly and jump over the months of training Ash back into shape other than the next chapter so I can get to more May and Ash interaction. Thanks again.