The little raven-haired child giggled at the faces being pulled by the grown man whose lap he was rested on, a small yellow mouse lay beside the child, the mouse had bright red cheeks and a black tail, napping. The small boy couldn't have been any older than a single year old, his hair was an uncontrollable mess, even at that age, and his brown eyes were filled with joy as he gazed adoringly at the man. The child had 'Z' shapes underneath said brown eyes.
The man couldn't help but smile as his son laughed unrelentingly on his lap, the father had identical raven coloured hair and brown eyes, even at such a young age, the son looked remarkably like his father. The man was wearing a casual white long-sleeved t-shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to just under the elbows, a silver watch was on his left wrist, and he had a pair of blue jeans on. The man appeared to be in his mid-twenties.
"Gio, Ash, Pichu! Dinner's almost ready!" A female voice called from in another room, the father smiled down at the son again.
"Come on, Ashy-boy, time for grub," the father said affectionately, picking up the child and mouse before proceeding to carry them towards the door.
"Pichu sleep," the little boy said cheerfully, making his father stop in his place, and look down at the child in his arms, a surprised look on his face.
A large smile swiftly overrode the look of surprise.
"Delia! Delia! Ash just said his first words!" the man shouted excitedly.
There was a loud crash and the sound of hurried footsteps before, moments later, a beautiful brunette woman came scrambling into the room, her hair tied up in a high bun, wearing a pink short-sleeved collared shirt and blue jeans, with a plain white apron over the top, she too had brown eyes, which were currently sparkling with anticipation.
"What did he say?" she asked, her voice barely rising above a whisper, she was no longer in control of her range, due to the emotions that were building in her throat, before her husband could respond, the child intervened.
"Mumma! Pichu sleep!" he giggled, throwing his little arms in the air, before looking at the yellow mouse resting in the opposite arm of his father.
Tears formed in Delia Ketchum's eyes, and she clasped her hands together in front of her face, her eyes locked on her son.
"Gio, he's not even one yet, and he's already spoken," Delia said softly, shifting her gaze to her husband, who wore a look of pride on his face, "I read in a baby book that most children don't verbally communicate until they're two or three!" she added, her husband smiled.
"Maybe he's just incredibly intelligent, like his father," he joked, winking at Delia, who just rolled her eyes.
"Giovanni…" she sighed, before a wide grin broke out onto her beautiful face, "Ashy, who's this?" she asked her son, taking the mouse out of Giovanni's right arm and holding it in front of the child.
The child looked confused momentarily, before he giggled again.
"Mumma! Pichu sleeping!" he replied, "Don't wake him!"
Delia and Giovanni's eyes widened in surprise, before they looked at each other, stunned.
"He… He's…" Delia stuttered, searching her husband's eyes for an answer.
"A genius, not even one and he can communicate like that," Giovanni replied, kissing the top of Ash's head, then his wife's.
Ash looked up in confusion.
"Daddy?" he said, saying it in a tone that made it sound more like a question, Giovanni smiled down at him.
"Yes, son?" Giovanni asked.
"Dinner!" Ash giggled, pointing to the doorway, making Delia jump in realisation, moments before the smoke alarm started to ring.
"Damn!" she exclaimed, before darting into the kitchen, almost as swiftly as she had rushed to her husband and son, she barely had time to place Pichu onto the sofa.
Giovanni shook his head.
"Guess it's a takeaway tonight."
-IYCSMN-
Ash sat on the sofa, four years on from his first words, an acoustic guitar sat on his lap, he was looking at the top of the guitar very carefully, the fingers of his left hand carefully placed on the strings. He shifted his gaze to his father sat on the armchair to Ash's left, who was in exactly the same position.
"Is that right, dad?" Ash asked, glancing back to the chord he had been practicing for no longer than thirty seconds, his dad shook his head in disbelief.
"Spot on, Ash, it took me ages to perfect that chord," he chuckled; they were interrupted by a sharp knocking on the front door. Giovanni placed his guitar down, resting it on the edge of the armchair, before he stood up and moved the white net curtain that was preventing a clear view out of the window. After a couple of seconds he released his hold of the net curtain and let it fall back into place before he headed to the front door.
"Who is it daddy?" Ash asked, as Giovanni headed out the door, Ash watched him all the way, waiting for an answer.
"Not sure kiddo, they must be our new neighbours," Giovanni replied, which got Ash excited, he loved meeting new people. He hopped off the sofa, resting his guitar similarly to how his father had done, before he shook the yellow mouse which was sleeping beside him.
"Come on, Pi, new friends!" he exclaimed, the mouse's ears perked up, and he jumped from the sofa onto Ash's shoulder, and the two raced past Giovanni and out of the room. Giovanni just sighed and shook his head.
"Kids," he sighed, before he swiftly followed Ash. As he turned the corner, he saw Pichu on Ash's head tugging at the lever that released the door, Pichu finally forced it down, and the door swung open.
Unfortunately, both Pichu and Ash were knocked off balance by the door finally opening, and they fell backwards onto the floor. Giovanni couldn't help but chuckle at the scene, the people standing in the doorway didn't really know how to react. Giovanni looked up from Ash and Pichu, to the family that were standing in front of him; there was a well built, tall man with black hair, a women with brunette hair, a small child with similar black hair to his father and a little girl with brunette hair similar to her mother. The two adults appeared to be a similar age to Giovanni and Delia, whereas the baby in the mother's arms must've only been between two and three years old, and the little girl seemed to be Ash's age. The girl giggled at Ash and Pichu lying on the ground, they were still there, more out of embarrassment than pain.
"Hello, I'm Giovanni Ketchum, and you are?" Giovanni greeted, extending his arm to the other gentlemen, who reciprocated the gesture.
"Nice to meet you, Giovanni, my name is Norman Maple, and this is my wife Caroline, and son Max, and my little princess, May," the man introduced, Giovanni proceeded to shake Caroline's hand, as Norman introduced her, "We've just moved in next door," Norman added.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all, and allow me to welcome you to the neighbourhood," Giovanni said, taking a step back, "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?" Giovanni offered, angling his body and lifting his right arm, gesturing for the Maple's to come in, Norman and Caroline exchanged a glance.
"We'd love to," Caroline said politely, Giovanni smiled at the two, before a look of realisation hit him.
"Before I forget, this is my son, Ash," Giovanni said, gesturing to the aforementioned child, who swiftly leapt to his feet.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr and Mrs Maple," Ash said politely, extending his arm to the adults, who smiled at his manners before shaking his hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet such a well-mannered young boy, please, Ash, call us Norman and Caroline," Caroline said, as she shook Ash's hand, who beamed up at them, before noticing the little brunette girl standing slightly to the left of her mother, scratching her left arm nervously. Ash cocked his head, analysing the situation. Norman and Caroline shared a look of confusion, which Giovanni noticed.
"Don't worry, he's just trying to figure out a course of action," Giovanni said quietly to the other parents, who looked even more confused, Giovanni smiled, "He's rather adept at reading people's expressions and demeanours, please excuse me if I sound arrogant or if it sounds like I'm boasting, but we've been recommended by our doctor to have him tested about his IQ," Giovanni explained, Norman and Caroline seemed impressed. During this time, Ash had figured out what to do about the nervous girl in front of him, but didn't have a chance at that precise moment.
"Ash, let the Maple's in, you're blocking the doorway," Giovanni said, winking at Ash when the latter looked up at his father, Ash blushed.
"Sorry Norman, sorry Caroline," Ash apologised, bowing his head as he backtracked, not realising that Pichu hadn't recovered from his fall, and proceeded to trip over the stricken mouse, and falling back down.
"Ash! Are you alright?" Giovanni asked, bending down, Ash smiled up at his dad.
"I'm okay daddy, but you should be more concerned about Pi, he hasn't gotten up and I think I may have hurt him more," Ash replied, lifting his head to try and look at Pichu. Giovanni helped Ash up, and then picked up Pichu, before everyone moved into the lounge that Giovanni and Ash had been practising guitar in. Norman and Caroline sat on the sofa, Max still in Caroline's arms, and May squeezed between them, whilst Giovanni sat on the armchair with Pichu on his lap, and Ash sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning on the glass table that sat in the middle of the room.
Ash looked up at his father.
"Is Pichu alright, dad?" he asked, Giovanni smiled at his son's concern.
"He'll be fine, Ash, it's just with the strain of trying to open the door, mixed with excitement and the fall that followed, he's winded himself," Giovanni explained, to which Ash nodded in response, before standing up, picking up Pichu, and sitting back down in his original spot, stroking his best friend. Giovanni turned his attention to the Maple's.
"Sorry about that, Ash and Pichu are like brothers, when one gets hurt, the other cares about it deeply," Giovanni explained, grinning slightly.
"It's absolutely fine, Giovanni, it's nice to see a child and Pokémon interact like that," Norman replied, which made Caroline roll her eyes and May slump in her seat slightly. Ash sat upright in his seat.
"Mrs Maple, are you okay?" Ash asked, furrowing his brow, Caroline seemed slightly surprised, and looked at Giovanni, who was just smirking.
"Somehow, he can read people like an open book," Giovanni said, shrugging his shoulders whilst still smirking, Caroline still seemed surprised, and her husband shared the look of surprised.
"I'm fine, Ash, thank you, it's just May isn't really comfortable with Pokémon at the moment," Caroline replied, "And honestly, Ash, it is okay for you to call us by our first names," Caroline said softly, smiling at the raven-haired boy, who still had his brow furrowed.
He looked at May, who still appeared to be nervous, and wasn't making eye contact with anyone; she was just staring down at her feet.
"Ash, may I ask you something?" Norman asked, leaning forward and looking Ash in the eye.
"Of course Mr Maple," Ash replied, fidgeting in his seat slightly, still stroking Pichu.
"How old are you?" Norman asked, still leaning forward, Ash stopped stroking Pichu, and appeared to be calculating, he glanced up at the digital clock on the wall, which had the date, time and year. The time was currently just past 4.30pm. Within about five seconds Ash had his answer.
"Well I was born on the 25th of April, 1995, so that makes me five years, four months, twelve days, one hour and fifteen minutes old," Ash answered.
Norman and Caroline's jaws dropped, and even May sat upright in surprise, Giovanni just smirked.
"You weren't kidding about the genius thing," Norman said, looking at Giovanni, who shook his head.
"Sometimes, I wish I were wrong, he can correct me and my wife's language sometimes," Giovanni said, and Ash coughed, looking up at his father.
"You said that wrong daddy," Ash said, and everyone looked back at him again, "You were supposed to say "I wish I was wrong," you used the wrong tense, silly," Ash said, sticking his tongue out at his dad, who just grinned back. Norman and Caroline were stunned.
Ash turned his gaze back to May, and their eyes connected for the first time, and even at five, Ash was amazed by the colour and intensity of her eyes.
"Miss Maple, you have very pretty eyes," Ash said, surprising everyone in the room, even Giovanni. Ash's compliment made May blush.
"Th-Thank you, Ash," she said quietly, looking away nervously, and Ash smiled, feeling he had made progress.
"My wife should be back shortly, you see, at the moment, I'm technically on paternity leave from my job to take care of Ash," Giovanni explained, "My wife works at the hospital, as a midwife, funnily enough."
Norman and Caroline nodded as Giovanni spoke.
"Daddy is the Viridian City Gym Leader!" Ash said proudly, before he looked at Norman with his head tilted, similarly to how he had looked at May when they were in the hallway, "Mr Maple, are you a Gym Leader too?" Ash asked, once again amazing the two adults sat before him.
"Y-Yes I am… How did you know?" Norman stuttered, looking at Ash.
"You have a similar aura to my daddy," Ash answered, smiling at Norman, who furrowed his brow and looked at Giovanni.
"He's a very special child, Giovanni," Norman complimented.
"Thank you, Norman, me and Delia are very proud of him," Giovanni replied, rubbing Ash's head, making his uncontrollable hair even messier. Ash beamed at the praise. May sat upright as she noticed the guitars resting on the armchair, which Ash noticed her do.
"Would you like me to play something, Miss Maple?" Ash asked, bringing everyone's attention back to him, and once again, May blushed when Ash spoke to her, and nodded, but she didn't respond verbally.
"Is he a good guitar player, Giovanni?" Caroline asked, not underestimating the five-year old anymore, after his previous showings.
"Incredibly good," Giovanni answered as Ash placed Pichu in Giovanni's lap, before picking up his guitar and sitting down in his previous spot again, "Probably as good as me and I've been playing for almost fifteen years now."
They all turned their attentions to Ash, who was ready to play, and for the next three minutes they listened and watched him skilfully move his hands along the neck of the guitar, not once making a mistake or playing out of tempo. When he was done, he received a round of applause, May clapped especially vigorously, which made Ash smile widely. No one had noticed that Delia had come home, and was now stood in the doorway, in her midwife's uniform, a pair of black trousers and a blue collared shirt, which had a nametag on.
"My, my Ashy, even better than when I left for work," Delia giggled, making everyone jump, except Ash, who's smile widened.
"Mummy!" he shouted, running over and hugging Delia's legs, who in turn, rubbed Ash's head with her right hand, before Ash pulled back, "This is Mr, Mrs, Miss and Master Maple, our new neighbours," Ash said looking up at Delia, who just smiled back.
"Nice to meet you all, I'm Delia," Delia introduced, shaking Norman and Caroline's hands.
"It's a pleasure, Delia," Norman replied, "This is my wife Caroline, my son Max and my daughter May, and if I may say so, you have an incredible son," Norman said, introducing his family, Delia smiled at his praise.
"Why thank you, Norman, that's kind of you to say," Delia said, before walking over to Giovanni and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Glad that your home, Delia," Giovanni said, "How was work?" he asked, and Delia smiled.
"Good, Johanna came in with Dawn, they're doing really well, Johanna's thinking of moving back over from Sinnoh," Delia answered, to which Giovanni smiled and nodded.
"Dawn's coming back?" Ash asked, once again sitting back on his spot on the floor, after picking up Pichu from Giovanni's lap, the former now asleep, Delia smiled.
"Possibly, Ashy," she answered; Norman and Caroline watched the exchange with smiles on their faces, whilst May was carefully watching Ash, a fact that the latter had noticed, but chose not to comment on.
"Miss Maple, would you like to stroke Pichu?" Ash asked kindly, holding out Pichu in the palms of both of his hands, where the mouse just about managed to fit. May blushed again, but wasn't able to respond, looking away nervously.
Ash looked thoughtful for a moment, before he leapt to his feet, and placed Pichu back on Giovanni's lap.
"Dad, can I get Eevee?" Ash asked, his eyes glinting, as he spoke, Giovanni looked surprised.
"Are you sure, Ash? You'll only have one chance with that Eevee, you do understand, don't you?" Giovanni asked, and Ash nodded frantically.
"I've got a good feeling about this," Ash said, grinning, and Giovanni instantly knew that Ash was making the right choice. Ever since Ash began to speak, four years previous to these events, all of his "good feelings" had always been correct, so Giovanni trusted his son's judgement.
Ash raced out of the room in excitement.
"Ash has an Eevee?" Norman asked, turning his gaze to Giovanni.
"Not quite, we put Eevee aside for him… I'll explain in a minute, I just want to see how Ash plays this," Giovanni partially explained, leaning back in his chair and resting his left leg on his right knee, interlocking his fingers, whilst Delia rested on the arm of the chair.
Moments later Ash darted back in, arms hidden behind his back, he stood in front of the Maple's.
"Mr and Mrs Maple, if it's alright with you, I'd like to give Miss Maple a present," Ash said politely, arms still hidden behind his back, May sat upright at this and looked up at Norman and Caroline, who realised what Giovanni was talking about.
"By all means, Ash," Caroline said, smiling at the raven-haired boy, who's smile grew wide, and he turned to May, who once more blushed in embarrassment.
"Miss Maple, please accept this present from me," Ash said bowing, holding out his hands in front of him, and in them was a Poké Ball, May cocked her head at it, before she tentatively picked it up.
"Th-Thank yo-you, A-Ash," May stuttered quietly, and Ash beamed, delighted that May had accepted the gift. Giovanni looked from Ash and May, up to Norman and Caroline.
"We put Eevee aside for Ash to give as a present to… well, anyone he felt that would be his best friend… I never thought he'd decide that at age five," Giovanni said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I think it's a wonderful gesture, don't you Norman?" Caroline said, smiling widely, Norman nodded in agreement.
"Ash is an incredible little boy, I don't think I've ever met someone quite like him, and he's only five," Norman said, making the aforementioned child's parents smile at each other, whilst Ash and May were still looking at the Poké Ball.
Norman looked up at the clock on the wall.
"I think we best be getting home, we don't want to disturb you any longer, thank you ever so much for your hospitality," Norman said, standing from his seat, Giovanni mimicked his actions.
"It's been a pleasure, Norman, and if you ever need anything, don't be afraid to ask us," Giovanni said, shaking Norman's hand.
"Bye Mr, Mrs, Miss and Master Maple!" Ash said cheerfully, before he turned to May, "Miss Maple, if it's okay with Mr and Mrs Maple, would you like to come over and play another day?" Ash asked, smiling brightly. May looked up at her mum and dad, who in turn, looked over at Delia and Giovanni.
"Would that be okay with you two?" Caroline asked; Giovanni and Delia smiled at each other.
"She'd be more than welcome anytime," Delia said.
"And we're only next door, she can pop over whenever she likes, she doesn't even have to ask us, she just has to make sure it's okay with you," Giovanni added, smiling at the Maple's.
"Delia, Giovanni, thank you, we've only been here a couple of days, and we already feel part of the neighbourhood, and I'm sure the kids will be great friends," Caroline said, shaking both the Ketchum's hands.
"I'll see you out," Giovanni said, as the Maple's filtered out of the lounge, with Giovanni following.
Ash smiled looking in the direction that the Maple's had gone.
-IYCSMN-
Ash watched the clock intently.
He was waiting for the clock to read 15.15, it was currently spot on three, as then, he'd officially be ten.
By his standards, anyway.
Obviously, by law, he was already ten, but Ash liked to be precise. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a plain black shirt, and even at the age of ten, his muscles were well defined. His raven hair was still an abysmal mess, but it added to the charm.
Ash was waiting for his mum to come home from work, early, so they could celebrate his birthday.
Giovanni walked into the room without Ash even noticing, as the latter was too focused on the clock. Giovanni chuckled to himself as he watched Ash.
"It takes sixty seconds for the clock to change at all, I'd have thought that you'd know that, Ashy," Giovanni joked, startling his zoned-out child.
"Dad! Don't make me jump like that!" Ash said playfully, sticking his tongue out, to which, Giovanni just smiled.
"All jokes aside, I think you've done exceptionally well to put off opening your presents until your mum and your friends get here," Giovanni said, sitting down in the armchair.
"Well, mum had to take Pichu to work, so I wouldn't want him to miss anything, and it's the same with my friends, really," Ash replied, turning his attention back to the clock.
Slowly but surely, the clock reached the time of Ash's birth, and a huge smile broke out on his face, he was finally (by his standards) ten.
"Happy birthday, Ashy!" his mother squealed, startling Ash, as once again, he had been watching the clock too intently to notice Delia come in from work.
"Thanks mum!" Ash said, jumping up and giving his mum a hug. Once he pulled away, he realised something.
"Where's Pi?" Ash asked, looking around for the electric mouse, Delia and Giovanni smiled at each other.
"Come with us, Ashy," Delia said, as Giovanni and her walked out of the room and towards the back of the house.
Ash promptly followed.
They walked into the dining room, where there was a sliding door that opened up into a conservatory, but the curtains were pulled, blocking the view of the conservatory.
"Ash, let me put this on," Giovanni said, pulling out a blindfold, which made Ash cock his head in confusion.
"Okay," he replied, shrugging his shoulders. Giovanni walked over and tied the blindfold around his head, blocking his eyesight.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" Giovanni asked, holding up three fingers on his right hand, testing whether Ash could see through any gaps in the blindfold.
"Really, dad?" Ash asked, jokingly, "I can't see, okay?" he added, sticking his tongue out, making Giovanni and Delia giggle.
"Come on then, let's go outside," Delia said, and the two parents lead Ash by his hands, out into the garden.
Ash had no idea what was going on, until he was stopped by his parents.
"Ready, Ash?" Giovanni asked, and the birthday boy nodded, Giovanni removed his blindfold.
"SURPRISE!"
Ash was shocked by the rather large amount of people in the back garden, and physically jumped back in surprise.
"Happy birthday, Ash!" the large congregation said in unison. At a glance, Ash could see all of his family, both sides, the Oak's, including Gary, one of his friends he'd known since he was little. Gary had turned ten a month earlier, and had received a Pokémon off his granddad, who was Professor Oak, who gave starting Pokémon Trainers of Pallet Town their starters.
Ash saw Johanna and Dawn Berlitz, the bluenette mother and daughter combo, who had moved to Sinnoh when Ash was two, and had returned when he was six. He also saw the Harrison's, which included Brock, his old babysitter.
And finally he saw the Maple's, and the person Ash considered his best human friend, excluding his parents: May Maple, Eevee being cuddled in her arms.
Ash had given Eevee to May as a gift, on the day they had first met, five years previous. May wore a bright smile when Ash looked towards her, and he grinned back.
"Wow, thank you all so much for coming!" Ash said, bowing slightly. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked up to see Giovanni standing there.
"Well, Ash, we have a couple of surprises for you, the first comes from Sam," Giovanni said, gesturing to the wise professor that stood with his grandson, but walked over once Giovanni had raised his arm in Oak's direction.
"Happy birthday, m'boy," Oak said, placing his hand on Ash's shoulder, the latter smiled up at Samuel Oak.
"Thank you Professor Oak," Ash replied, Professor Oak then fished in his jacket pocket, before he found what he was looking for, but kept his hand in his pocket.
"Ash, this is a very big thing I want to give you, and I want you to promise me you'll use it properly," Oak said, smiling down at Ash, who in turn, looked at his parents in confusion.
"Of course, Professor," Ash said, still wearing a look of confusion.
"Close your eyes and hold out your hands," Oak said, and Ash did as he was told, he felt something about the size of a television remote, being placed into his hands.
"Open them, Ashy," he heard Delia say, and he obeyed, and almost dropped the item in shock.
It was a Pokédex.
Ash looked up at Professor Oak, with gratitude glistening in his brown eyes; he then turned to his parents, who were standing behind him, Giovanni with a hand round Delia's waist, Ash's expression turning to hope.
"Professor Oak asked us if it was okay for you to have one, and we said yes," Giovanni explained, and Ash turned back to Professor Oak.
"Thank you so much, Professor Oak!" he thanked, bowing out of respect, and Professor Oak smiled down at Ash.
"It's my pleasure, Ash, I know you'll make a great trainer, or coordinator, or breeder, whatever you choose to be, I know you'll excel," Professor Oak said, before he rubbed Ash's head affectionately, then walked back over to Gary.
Ash stared at the Pokédex in his hand, before he realised what Professor Oak had said, and he turned to his parents again, they were smiling widely down at him.
"Now for our surprise," Delia said, tears forming in her eyes.
"Ash, don't think that we don't want you to go on your journey, but we think it would be better if you completed your studies first, so we've managed to get you a place at Kanto Pokémon Regional High," Giovanni said, still smiling, Ash just stood in silence, listening intently to his parents, a grin on his face.
"So, we come to our actual present to you," Delia said, her eyes still glistening.
"You can come out now!" Giovanni said loudly, and Ash felt something leap onto his back, making his turn his head.
"Pi!" Ash exclaimed, and Pichu was sat on his shoulder grinning. Ash smiled back, but then he realised something and his jaw dropped, he turned around to his parents.
Giovanni was holding out a Poké Ball.
"This is Pi's ball," Giovanni said, a huge smile on his face.
"Happy birthday, Ash," Delia and Giovanni said in unison, as the latter placed Pichu's Poké Ball in a stunned Ash's hands.
Ash could only stare at it; excitement started bubbling up inside him.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Ash shouted, leaping forward and squeezing his parents tightly.
"You're welcome, Ash, but there's one more present left to be given to you," Delia said, whilst her son was hugging her.
"Huh?" Ash said, turning around to find May standing behind him, her arms held behind her back, similarly to how Ash had done, when he had given Eevee to May five years ago.
"Ha-Happy birthday, Ash," May stuttered, something Ash found incredibly cute, May always stuttered when she was nervous.
"No need to be nervous, May, we've been friends for five years now!" Ash said, smiling at her.
May smiled back, before handing Ash his present. Ash ripped off the wrapping paper, and beneath it was a small cardboard box, Ash peeled the tape off the top of the box, so it would open freely, and he opened it up, smiling when he saw what was inside.
"To try and control that mess you call hair," May said, sticking her tongue out and messing up Ash's hair, before picking up the item in the box and placing it on Ash's head. It was a hat, the sides of the hat were red, and the front was white with a blue Poké Ball symbol on it (Unova).
"Thanks May, I love it," Ash said, smiling at his best friend, he stepped forward and caught May off-guard with a hug, which May returned, once she'd got over the initial hug.
"I'm glad, Ash, it's not every day you reach double figures," May said, as they stopped their embrace, and stood smiling at each other.
"Your turn next month," Ash said, sticking his tongue out at May, who glared back, before the two laughed.
The two children's parents watched on with smiles on their faces, all thinking the same thing.
"Those two will fall in love."
-IYCSMN-
"Gotta find May a present!" Ash exclaimed, as he darted through the streets of Pallet, heading towards the mall, Pichu clinging to his shoulder for dear life, since Ash had officially received Pichu as his first Pokémon on his tenth birthday, exactly a month previous to these events transpiring, the two hadn't spent a moment apart.
"I can't believe I left it this late!" Ash cursed to himself, glancing at his digital watch strapped to his left wrist, he had a simple plain white short-sleeved t-shirt on, and dark blue jeans, electing not to wear a jumper, even though it was quite late. Ash knew his mother would be worrying about him being out this late, but May's birthday was in two days' time, a Monday, and the mall was never open on a Sunday, so it was always open late on Saturday evenings.
The time read 8.35pm, and the sun had almost completely set, but the mall itself didn't shut until 10pm.
Ash was making progress until he made a turn too soon, and had rushed into a dark alleyway.
He didn't realise his mistake until it was too late.
Within moments three men had surrounded Ash, they were almost twice his height, and that was without taking into account the size of their muscles. Ash gulped.
"Well, well, well, what do we 'av 'ere?" the man in front of Ash said. Ash turned his head slightly to see two more standing behind him.
"Some punk finking he can step on our turf," one man behind Ash said.
"There's no need for any trouble, guys, I just took a wrong turn, is all," Ash said, holding his hands up to try and convince them it was an honest mistake.
"You sassin' us boy?" the first man said.
"No, sir, it was honestly just a mistake, it won't happen again," Ash said apologetically, trying to prevent the situation from escalating. The three men laughed at him. Ash couldn't see their faces due to the darkness of the alleyway.
He knew he was in serious trouble.
"Well, we can make sure ya don't make dis mistake again, kid," the third man said, and they started to advance on Ash, who even though he was well toned for his age, he had no chance against the three grown men.
Ash backed up against one of the walls and the three men converged in front of him.
Before he could prevent it from happening, Pichu leapt from his shoulder and onto the floor in front of the men.
"Pi Pichu!" the little mouse said, to which the men just laughed again.
"What was that you little rat?" the second man said, as the other two men kept on laughing.
Pichu's cheeks started to spark, but before he could launch an attack, one of the men kicked him aggressively into the alley wall, right next to Ash.
"Pichu!" Ash cried, he went to bend over to pick his companion up, but one of the men grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, and physically lifted him off the floor.
The other two men stood either side of the one holding Ash, making any slim hope of escape evaporate.
Ash caught a glimpse of something shiny being pulled out by the third man.
It was a knife.
Before he could react, he felt the knife being pressed against his left shoulder; he cried out in pain as one of the men dug the knife in and slowly dragged it down Ash's arm, opening up a deep and long wound, which stopped just above Ash's elbow.
"Piii..." Ash heard something behind the men growl, and next thing he knew, a blinding white light came from behind the men, which made them drop Ash in confusion, the knife clattering to the floor beside Ash, who tried to hold the wound to prevent himself from losing blood.
The light stopped and there was a moment of silence.
"PIKA!" was all Ash heard, before there was an incredible burst of electricity, which Ash was prevented from seeing due to the men.
All Ash saw as he lay on the ground in pain, was the electricity surrounding his assailants, making them spasm uncontrollably, before they fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Pikapi!" Ash heard, and he felt something nuzzling into his neck, he tried to sit himself up with his right arm, leaning onto the wall.
"Pi… You saved me," Ash said weakly, smiling at the furry creature that was sat in his lap. In the darkness, Ash couldn't see the change that Pichu had undertaken in order to protect him.
Ash forced himself to his feet, and felt his best friend move onto his shoulder, and Ash staggered a couple of feet, still holding his wound, before he realised something.
Pichu felt heavier. Ash's eyes widened in surprise.
"Pi! You evolved!" Ash exclaimed, the realisation gave Ash the energy to burst out of the alleyway and into the street, where he saw, for the very first time, his Pikachu.
"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu said proudly, smiling at Ash, having not noticed the wound on Ash's left arm.
"You evolved just so you had enough power to protect me… Oh Arceus thank you, Pi!" Ash said, tears forming in his eyes.
The two nuzzled cheeks briefly, before Ash realised that he should call the police and an ambulance, so he could receive some treatment for his arm.
Moments later, he was sat in the back of an ambulance, his arm bandaged, and an orange sheet covering his shoulders, Pikachu sat in his lap, watching the three unconscious men being hauled out of the alleyway by police officers, and flung into a police van.
A female officer, with blue hair, then proceed to walk over to wear Ash was sat.
"Hello there, I'm Officer Jenny, you must be Ash," she introduced, sitting down next to Ash, who nodded slowly, still staring blankly at the police van, which had just started to drive away.
"How are you feeling, Ash? That was quite an ordeal you went through," Officer Jenny said, snapping Ash out of his trance.
"I'm okay, just still a little bit shocked, but I'll be fine," Ash replied, stroking Pikachu's head with his right hand, not having much movement in his left arm, due to his wound.
"Ash, if you don't mind me asking, what were you doing in an alleyway like that at this time of night?" Officer Jenny asked softly, carefully watching Ash's face, for any expression change that may indicate that the boy was lying.
"I was on my way to the mall to get a… Oh no! May's present!" Ash exclaimed, leaping to his feet, much to the displeasure of Pikachu, who was flung onto the floor, "Sorry Pi," Ash said, scooping up his companion, who glared at him, before repositioning himself on Ash's shoulder. Ash looked down at his watch and breathed a sigh of relief; he still had an hour to get May's present.
"Ash, what's the matter?" Officer Jenny asked, looking up from her seating position at the raven-haired boy.
"I was in the alleyway coz I was going to get my best friend a present and was in a hurry, and took a wrong turn," Ash said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head with his right hand.
"I see, were you heading to the mall?" Jenny asked, and Ash nodded, Jenny walked over to her bike, which had a little pod attached to the side, "Hop in, Ash, I'll give you a lift." Ash's eyes opened in surprise.
"Really? Thank you so much!" Ash said, rushing over and placing himself into the pod, Pikachu moving onto his lap again.
Jenny put on the sirens and the trio burst off at an incredible speed, Ash clinging onto Pikachu tightly, to make sure the electric mouse didn't fly off his lap.
"Ash, did you let your parents or guardians know what happened?" Jenny asked as they drove, and Ash's eyes widened in realisation.
"No, my dad knew I was coming out, but my mum didn't, they'll only start to properly worry if I'm not back by half ten," Ash replied, and Jenny frowned.
"If you don't mind me asking, Ash, what's your dad's name?" Jenny asked.
"Giovanni, he's the Viridian City Gym Leader," Ash answered, and Jenny nodded.
"I thought so, you look so much like your father," she told Ash, who blushed at her comment.
They arrived at the mall just after 9pm, and as soon as Jenny pulled up, Ash leapt out of the pod, Pikachu on his shoulder.
"Thank you so much for everything, Officer Jenny," Ash said, bowing out of respect.
"It's my pleasure, Ash, but make sure you get home safely from here, get a bus if you have to," Jenny advised, and Ash nodded.
"I will, Officer Jenny."
"See you, Ash," Jenny said, waving at Ash and Pikachu, before she drove off. Ash stood still for a moment, testing his left arm, he had some movement, but it was still limited. Ash winced as pain shot through the cut, which was hidden beneath a bandage.
There was one benefit of the incident, Ash though cynically.
It had given him time to figure out what he was going to get May, and also a way to hide his wound from his parents and friends.
"Hey, Pi," Ash said, as he walked through the mall, looking for the stores that he needed to go in, "Can we keep this," Ash said, indicating towards his wound, "A secret?" Ash requested, and Pikachu looked surprised. Ash never hid anything from his parents.
Ash noticed Pikachu's confused look.
"If they found out I'd been attacked, they'd never let me leave the house alone again," Ash explained, and Pikachu thought about it momentarily, before agreeing with Ash.
The two smiled before Ash headed off to by May's tenth birthday present.
He knew that he had to make it special for her, as she herself had said on his birthday.
"It's not every day you reach double figures."
And Ash had the perfect presents in mind for her.
-IYCSMN-
Ash rang the doorbell and waited patiently for an answer, he glanced down at his watch, it read 9.55pm, it had taken him such a short time to get May's presents, he was surprised, and he still had forty-five minutes to get home.
So he was outside May's, needing her advice, he had purchased a green bag with a red Poké Ball symbol on it, to put May's presents in so she wouldn't find them. He had also bought a new hoody, so he could cover up his wound, the top half of the hoody was blue and the bottom half was white, with a yellow zip running down the middle. Ash had bought it because he liked the colours and it matched his hat, but mainly because the sleeves would cover up his wounds, even if he pulled up the sleeves to his elbows, which he had done to somewhat cool himself down on a fairly mild night.
His wound was the reason he was here.
He needed May's advice on what to do now, he had a feeling that the event would make its way into the local news, as not much happened in Pallet Town.
Ash snapped out of his daze when he heard the door crack open, and he saw a pair of cerulean eyes peeking through the gap.
"Ash!" May exclaimed, as she opened the door fully, once she had figured out who the person was.
"Hi May, is it alright if I come in? I need some help," Ash requested, looking at May with pleading eyes.
"Of course, Ash, we've got about half an hour before my parents are back with Max, he's been at my grandparents all day, and my mum and dad were waiting for him to fall asleep before they picked him up," May explained, moving out the way so Ash could come in.
"Thanks, Amy," Ash said cheekily, winking at May as she passed, who blushed at the nickname, something she only did when Ash called her it. The nickname had come about when Max had turned three and couldn't quite say "May," however simple it was, or he just did it because it got an amusing reaction out of May.
The two headed into the lounge of the Maple residence, where the only light was coming from the TV, which was showing some sort of Soap Opera, Ash assumed, by the way that the characters on it were screaming at each other. May flicked the lights on, and switched the TV off as the duo sat down.
"Where's Pi?" May asked, looking around Ash's figure, trying to find Ash's faithful Pokémon.
"That comes with my dilemma," Ash said, leaning back in his seat. May watched him intently and she opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Ash.
"May, I've been attacked," Ash said, taking a glance at May, whose jaw dropped in shock.
"Oh my Arceus! Are you okay, Ash? Did they hurt you?" she fussed, moving closer to Ash and inspecting him for any injuries. Ash nodded slowly, before he sat up, and unzipped his new hoody and slowly pulled out his left arm, so half his body was out the hoody. Part of the bandaging was visible as his white t-shirt only came down to halfway between his shoulder and elbow, whereas the wound stretched to just above his elbow. Ash watched May's hands shoot up to her mouth as Ash slowly pulled up his shirt sleeve to reveal the full extent of his injury.
"Ash! What happened?" May asked quietly, tears forming in her eyes as she watched Ash move incredibly slowly to put his hoody back on fully, and wincing every now and again. Once Ash had got his hoody back on and zipped up, he turned to face May, and the two were sat facing each other. May still had her hands over her mouth, a single tear rolled down her face.
"May, it's okay, I'm fine, I'm here, you don't need to cry," Ash said, rubbing May's left arm with his right hand.
"Does… it hurt?" May asked quietly, her voice barely reaching a whisper, Ash nodded slowly, still staring into May's eyes, and rubbing her shoulder.
"I need your advice, but first, let me tell you what happened, and May, try not to cry, because it's all fine now, I'm here, aren't I?" Ash asked, May nodded in response, he was indeed there, and apart from his injury, all in one piece.
"Right, well I was going to the mall, and was in kind of a hurry, so wasn't paying full attention to where I was going, and turned to soon and ended up in an almost pitch black alleyway," Ash explained, carefully watching May's expression as he spoke, not removing his hand from her arm.
"And by the time I'd realised my mistake, three… I'm gonna call them psychopaths, had surrounded me, one in front of me, two behind me, I tried to talk my way out of it, but they thought I was… "Sassin'" them, in their own words."
"So I backed myself up against the wall, and when I had done, Pichu decided to try and defend me." May gasped, jumping to conclusions, as she couldn't see Pichu at the moment, and Ash went everywhere with him.
"One of the men kicked him against the wall a couple of feet away from me, and I went to pick him up, but before I could, one of them pinned me up against the wall, and whilst I was there I saw something glint, which was the knife that did this," Ash explained, momentarily removing his hand from May's arm to indicate to his wound, before placing it back where it was on May's left arm.
"I won't go into details, but I think me crying out in pain brought Pichu out of his unconsciousness, and next thing I know, there's a blinding white light coming from behind the three men, who had all converged around me, which made them drop me to the floor, and from the floor, all I could see was a huge electrical build up, which after a couple of seconds surrounded the men, and they started to spasm uncontrollably." May shivered at the thought, before listening to the conclusion of the story.
"They fell unconscious on the spot, and then I felt Pichu nuzzle into my neck, and I forced myself to my feet and Pichu hopped onto my shoulder, feeling much heavier than usual," Ash explained, a small smile flicking onto his face.
"Maybe that was just because you'd been hurt?" May suggested, searching Ash's eyes with her own.
"Nope," Ash said, smirking, before his bag opened behind him, and the yellow mouse in question leapt out, and jumped onto Ash's lap.
"Pika!" he said proudly, smiling up at May, whose jaw dropped as she looked at the newly evolved Pikachu.
"He evolved!" May exclaimed, looking back up at Ash, who nodded.
"He evolved so he would have enough electrical power to protect me," Ash said, pride evident in his voice, which gave Pikachu a fuzzy feeling inside.
"Are you sure you're okay, Ash? That sounds like one hell of an ordeal," May said, placing her right hand on Ash's, which was still on May's arm.
"I'm fine, I just need your advice on something," Ash replied, a weird feeling building in his stomach when May placed her hand on his.
"What is it, Ash?" May asked, once again searching Ash's brown eyes with her own cerulean ones.
"I don't want to tell my parents, they'd never let me go out alone!" Ash stated, mimicking May's actions, trying to figure out what was going on in his brunette friend's mind.
"But I figured if I don't, they'll find out as it'll make its way into the news, apparently those three blokes are notorious for assault and burglaries," Ash added, still watching May intently.
"Well… if they don't let you go out alone, why don't you suggest that we go out together whenever you need to go somewhere?" May said, a light blush forming on her cheeks.
Ash contemplated it for a moment.
"But what if I'm doing something that you can't be there for?" Ash asked, slightly cryptically.
"What do you mean, Ash?" May asked, furrowing her brow in confusion.
"I was in a rush because I needed to get your presents before Monday," Ash sighed, gulping nervously, realisation struck May's face.
"Ohh Ash, you could've just said you'd forgotten instead of rushing and getting yourself hurt!" May exclaimed, hitting Ash lightly on his right arm.
"I know, but I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I didn't get you something for your actual birthday, you said yourself, 'it's not every day you hit double figures'" Ash said, using his fingers to indicate he was quoting May.
"I know, but still, my point stands!" May said, and Ash shook his head, smirking slightly.
"Not really, because I completely just disproved it," Ash replied cheekily, winking and sticking out his tongue, to which May smirked and playfully hit him on his right arm again.
"I'll just wait outside the shop and not peek at what you're getting me," May suggested, returning the conversation back to its original point, and Ash contemplated it for a moment.
"Sure, why not? We spend loads of time together anyway, mean we just get to see each other more," Ash said, smiling at May, who returned the gesture, they stayed like that for longer than they realised, and were only snapped out of it when they heard the door snap open. Ash quickly made sure that his wound was covered, before he realised how close him and May were sat, which made him blush as he stood up, Pikachu jumping up onto his trainer's shoulder.
"May! We're back!" The duo heard May's mother call, they heard footsteps and then saw the aforementioned parent stick her head round the door.
"Oh hello, Ash, how are you?" Caroline asked, stepping into the room fully, Ash shot a glance at May, and they two seemed to know what the other was thinking.
"Mrs Maple, is it okay if I bring my parents round before I answer that question?" Ash requested, bowing slightly. This question brought a confused look onto Caroline's face, before she noticed the yellow mouse on Ash's shoulder.
"Pikachu evolved!" she blurted out, making Ash, May and Pikachu grin slightly.
"Yes, and that's part of the reason I'd like to bring my parents over, as I can't actually answer how I am without them here," Ash repeated, looking to May for support and reassurance.
"It's true mum, he'd need his parents here to explain," May said, looking up at her mother with pleading eyes.
"Well Norman is trying to carry Max in, to put him to bed as he's fast asleep, but when he's finished, I'll get him to go get your parents, Ash," Caroline said, and Ash breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you so much, Mrs Maple," Ash said, bowing again.
"Ash, how many times have I asked you to call me and Norman by our first name?" Caroline asked, rolling her eyes.
"Including this incident, one hundred and four," Ash said, smirking slightly, the four in the room had a good laugh, before Norman stepped into the room.
"Honey, could you go and fetch Ash's parents for him?" Caroline asked, before Norman could say anything at all, he was ushered out of the house by his wife, leaving Ash and May alone in the lounge, completely stunned.
"Your mum knows how to get things done," Ash said, eyes open wide in surprise.
"Yeah, she really does," May agreed, before Ash plopped himself down next to her.
"This is gonna be such a difficult conversation," Ash muttered, before he realised that his bag was still unzipped, and sat on the sofa, he quickly zipped it up and placed it on the floor. While he was bending over, May placed a reassuring hand on his back.
"It'll be okay, Ash, I'm here to help you and you've got Pi as well," May said soothingly, and Ash relaxed as he sat back.
"Thanks, May, what would I ever do without you?" Ash asked, turning his head to look at May, who was smiling at him, Ash couldn't help but notice how radiant she looked, which made the funny feeling in his stomach come back, but he pushed it aside, May was wearing an orange blouse with a black collar, and a black skirt that clung quite tightly to her legs, and reach just above her knees, her brunette hair was cascading down and May had pulled them over her shoulders.
Ash tried to compose himself before his face started heating up, as composure would be what he needed during this discussion.
"So, Mr," May said playfully, poking Ash's leg, "What did you get me for my birthday?" she asked, smirking at Ash, who raised an eyebrow whilst sharing May's smirk.
"You really think I'm gonna tell you?" Ash asked, raising one eyebrow and smirking at May, who pouted.
"Pwease?" May pleaded, trying the puppy dog eyes, Ash sighed, they were so hard to resist.
"No, you'll find out in two days!" Ash reiterated, still smirking as May pouted more.
They heard voices indicating that Norman and Caroline had fetched Ash's parents, and the latter proceeded to gulp. May placed a reassuring hand on his.
"It'll be okay, Ash, they're not going to be angry at you, and I'll be here the whole time," May promised, squeezing Ash's right hand with her left, in reassurance. Ash moved his hand slightly, and then slipped his fingers into the gaps in May's hand, they fitted perfectly, both parties were flushed by Ash's movement, but neither moved away, instead, in one movement, they slipped the interlocked hands into the gap between them, and May scooted right up to Ash.
It looked as if the duo were doing it to make room on the couch, whereas Ash was doing it for his own reassurance, no one would be able to see them secretly holding hands.
The four adults entered the room and all eyes turned to Ash.
"Ash, why did you call us here?" Delia asked, a confused look etched onto her face, Ash gulped.
"Mum, dad, please sit down," Ash requested quietly, not making eye contact with them, instantly, the adults knew something was wrong, Ash was never this serious or afraid to make eye contact, with anyone.
Once everyone was settled, Ash took a deep breath, and May squeezed his hand once more, she was watching his facial expression carefully.
"What's wrong, Ash?" Giovanni asked, he was also watching Ash's facial expression carefully.
"I-I…" Ash stuttered, before gulping again.
"Do you want me to tell them?" May whispered, and Ash nodded slowly.
"May, what's going on?" Norman asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Ash was attacked," May said, making all the parents gasp.
"Ash, is this true?!" Giovanni asked, rising to his feet, his movement made Ash shrink into his, but he managed a slow nod, nonetheless.
"Honey, there's no need to be afraid to tell us, please, just let us know what happened," Delia said softly, and Ash looked up and caught her eyes, they were filled with concern. Ash gulped once more, and released May's hand, he brought his right hand up to the zip of his hoody and undid it, before slowly bringing his left arm out.
Even before he had fully revealed the extent of his injury, his mother had burst into tears.
Ash rolled up the sleeve of his t-shirt so the whole bandage was visible, indicating the size of the wound.
Once he was certain everyone had seen the wound, his slipped his arm back into his hoody, zipped it up, then once again searched for May's hand, making sure that the adults couldn't see, once they had relocked their hands, May gave Ash another reassuring squeeze, and while he had the confidence to do so, Ash explained everything that had happened.
Racing to the mall, taking an early turn, being surrounded, trying to talk his way out of it, backing up against the wall, Pichu trying to defend him and being kicked into the wall, being lifted off his feet, the knife being dug into his arm and sliced down (but he skipped the gory details for fear of upsetting his mother further), the blinding light of evolution, the build-up of electricity, the men being knocked out, Pichu nuzzling into his neck, forcing himself out of the alleyway, noticing Pichu's evolution into a Pikachu, and then calling the police and ambulance and watching the men being arrested and taken away.
He hadn't made eye contact with anyone other than Pikachu during his speech, looking to the electric mouse for emotional support, and May for physical support, every time he did so he received a reassuring squeeze, that he was extremely grateful for, he doubted that he would've been able to make it through the explanation without his two best friends.
"Oh Ashy! Are you okay?" his mother cried, at the end of his retelling, as she rushed over and started fussing.
"I'm fine mum, honestly, I just need to take it easy with my left arm until it fully heals, the paramedic stitched it up for me whilst the police investigate the scene," Ash said, trying to reassure Delia.
"That sounds like quite an ordeal, Ash, are you sure you're feeling okay?" Norman asked, putting emphasis on the word 'feeling,' Ash nodded.
"Thank you for your concern, Mr Maple, but I feel emotionally fine, I was in shock for a few moments once I'd come to terms with what had actually happened, but at the moment, other than an occasional shooting pain in my wound, I'm fine," Ash said, sounding extremely convincing, as what he had said was true, he felt fine.
"Ash, can I ask you something?" Giovanni asked, drawing Ash's attention.
"Of course, dad," Ash replied.
"Why did you come here first, and not straight home?" Giovanni asked, raising an eyebrow, that, to anyone else would appear to be a quizzical motion, but Ash knew that there was a deeper meaning to it, he knew his father was insinuating something.
Ash blushed lightly.
"I came here for May's advice," Ash said honestly, "I was worried about telling you as I thought that you'd both worry too much and not let me out by myself anymore, so I needed a second opinion," Ash explained.
"I see… and what did May suggest?" Giovanni asked, again raising his eyebrow, and again, Ash knew he was suggesting something, Ash shot his dad a glare, whilst smirking slightly, before his expression turned serious again.
"May suggested that if you didn't want me going out by myself anymore, that she accompanies me whenever you don't want me out by myself," Ash explained, feeling his face heating up, as he knew what Giovanni would make out of that.
Ash just prayed his father kept it to himself.
The last thing Ash wanted, or needed was his dad knowing about his growing feelings for his best friend and neighbour.
May Maple, Ash Ketchum's girl next door.
EOC
Quite possibly my longest chapter ever written for FanFiction, just over 10,000 words. Hopefully the first chapter was good, this should only be a 5-10 chapter story, a small side project.
Did anyone notice the Big Bang Theory scene slipped in?
And for anyone wondering, the song that I had in mind when Ash was demonstrating his guitar skills to the Maple's was the acoustic version of Loverboy by You Me At Six, whose music will be popping up in this story a fair bit.
And for the purposes of this story, every song included has been written by Ash.
Please leave a review with what you liked or disliked, all reviews are appreciated!
A/N: -IYCSMN- indicates a time skip
~AF~