It was a day after the attempted robbery, and May couldn't get that dark-haired stranger out of her mind. When she closed her eyes, she could see his beautiful auburn eyes challenging her to make another move, and his full lips naturally falling in a smirk. May squirmed while hugging her pillow, and flopped backwards on her bed. How could someone so young be so hot? And be the leader of the most elite G-Man Squad? Her thoughts were interrupted when her mother called her and Max down for dinner. She groaned, set the pillow she had been squishing aside, and made her way down to dinner. It was fairly quiet, and her dad kept checking over his shoulder to see if anyone was coming toward the dining room. That's when she noticed her mom was shifting in her seat, trying to conceal her worry about something. Apparently, Norman had noticed it as well and spoke, "Caroline, what is it?"

That's when she exploded, "I'm just really happy! One of my good college friends recently made contact with me, and we started to catch up! She lives in Kanto, and has invited us to come over, if possible. I was just worried about your job and the kids' school."

Norman smiled at Caroline, "Of course we can go honey, the kids can take a week off from school, and I can take a break for a few days so I can fly you there and come back."

May beamed, she loved travelling and Kanto was one of the few places she hadn't been to yet. She slapped her hands on the table, "Then it's settled, it's a family vacation to Kanto!" she cheered.

Max whooped with joy, "Think of all the new types of Pokémon, and can we meet Lance? Pretty please?"

Norman laughed, "I'll see what I can do, but I'm sure Lance will be able to spare us some time. Maybe we can find the nice group of boys that saved May here and thank them.

May huffed, "The guy was too arrogant. I didn't like him one bit."

Max and Caroline shared a look and smiled a knowing smile, "Sure you don't like him May? I remember seeing a blush when he held your hand to help you up." Max spoke, slyly.

May blushed and defiantly turned her head, "I did not!"

"Did too."

"Did not!"

"Did too."

"Did not!"

"Did too."

"Did not!"

"Children! No arguing at the dining table!" Caroline scolded. The kids looked at each other, gave the other a glare, and sat down to finish dinner. "Remember, you must be on your best behavior when we go to Delia's house. She has a son who's about a year or two older than you May, so you might be able to become friends with him, but I'm sure you'll find a friend in Pallet Town."

"Can I go to Dawn's house tomorrow? She wants me to help her with some contest moves before the circuit starts up again."

"Sure honey, make sure that you get home by 6:30 for supper." Caroline replied while clearing the table.

"Dad, can we go to the ranger office tomorrow? I want to see if those guys might still be there." Max asked, a little hopeful that he would get to see his new idol again.

Norman thought about it a little, 'I suppose it wouldn't hurt, but I doubt that they would still be there. After all, they are very busy men."

Max smiled, "It's okay if they're not there, but if they are, I want to talk to the guy who pinned May down when she tried to fight him! That cool pokemon was something I've never seen before, and I want to know more about it and any other new pokemon he has!"

Caroline and Norman smiled at their son's enthusiasm towards pokemon, there was no doubt that he would become a trainer one day, and eventually take over the gym. Norman wished May would have been the one to take it over, but she seems more interested in contests than battling. Her best friend, Dawn, introduced it to her during their last year of school, and the second she got her starter, Torchic, she was off to become a contest master. The contest circuit ended a few weeks ago, and May had to return home for school again. Both parents loved their children, but there were some times when they wished that they would just grow up. May was seventeen but she insisted on acting ten, while Max was nine but with the maturity of a thirteen-year-old (though sometimes, he lets the act go and becomes nine again, especially when it comes to pokemon).

The family helped their mom/wife with the dishes, and headed up to bed. Max set his alarm extra early just so they wouldn't miss the G-Men in the morning, while May fell asleep thinking of an annoying auburn-eyed boy.

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Morning seemed to come quicker today than any other day for Max, as he woke up a whole hour before his 8:00 am alarm. He leaped out of bed and ran towards the bathroom that May and him shared. Quickly brushing his teeth, he ran downstairs into the kitchen, nearly crashing into his mom who had just finished making breakfast.

"Woah, honey. What's the rush?" Caroline asked a hyperactive Max, she had never seen him this excited and energetic in the morning.

"Dad and I have to go! I don't want to miss the guy that saved us!" Max shouted back, already running towards the gym where his dad probably was. Max slammed into the double doors that connected the gym to the house, and pushed them open. He ran to his dad who was talking to a challenger he probably beat, and waited for them to finish.

As soon as the trainer waved goodbye and turned his back, Max took his dad's hand and dragged him over to the garage to leave.

"Slow down champ! I gotta let Officer Jenny know that we are going to come, and maybe she'll tell us if they are still there,"

"Hurry up Dad!" Max yelled back. "We don't want to miss them!"

When father and son climbed into the car, May left to go to Dawn's house. As she biked down the street, her thoughts went back to the mysterious guy that saved her. She couldn't understand why Max idolized him so much. After all, he was probably another pompous jerk. She rolled to a stop in front of a small, quaint little home, and smiled. Dawn could take her mind off of things.

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Max leaped out of the car in excitement as soon as they reached the police station, already rushing to the entrance. When Max barged in, Officer Jenny grabbed him by the ear and pulled him back. "Now, now, Max, despite Ash saving you guys last time, they're tired and Gary is still hurt...take it easy, okay?"

"Alright Officer Jenny! Can I go see them now?"

Norman had lumbered in at this point and grabbed Max's shoulder as he started to sprint to the door, "These are fully trained soldiers Max, it's probably a good idea to take it easy so you don't startle them. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you…"

"I'll be fine dad," Max replied, shrugging off his dad's hand. He knocked, and a purple-haired guy opened the door. He looked confused for a moment and recognition lit his eyes.

"You guys are part of the family Ash saved right?"

"Umm...we don't know who Ash is, but if he's the one with the really cool pokemon, then yeah!" Max replied enthusiastically.

"Hey, the name's Paul. Alpha team's sniper and medic. Come inside, and make yourselves at home. Sorry about the mess, we just crashed here after the mission, and pigged out a little." Paul stated, before opening the door wider. It was a large room with a TV, couch, and a small coffee table with pizza boxes stacked sky high. The trash can was overflowing with ramen cups and bloody bandages. Norman thought it was disgusting, but Max thought it was awesome. He wanted to be away from home and live with a unit that was practically family. G-Men are so cool! He thought, before taking a seat on the couch.

"Guys! Get your asses out here! We've got company!" Paul turned to the father and son pair and apologized, "Sorry about the language."

"It's alright, " Norman replied, eyeing the gun just laying on the TV stand.

A blonde haired with a bow-shaped haircut walked in yawning, "Who's that?"

"Part of the family Ash saved, " Paul replied, before sitting on the stool next to the window.

An auburn haired man came out next, who smirked at them and introduced himself, "I'm Gary, the bomb and arson expert. The blonde is Barry, he's our resident nerd. Can hack into virtually anything." Max noticed the limp to Gary's step, and the corner of a bandage peeking out of his purple shirt.

"Are you hurt?' Max asked.

"Observant, kid. Yeah, got grazed by a bullet while trying to save a pokemon caught in the crossfire." He replied, wincing at the memory.

"Sorry if I'm nosy," Max said, ashamed at being so insensitive.

"It's alright, things happen." Gary spoke, waving the kid off.

"Our medic, Trip, went out to get supplies before we head back to Kanto. Unfortunately, I don't think he'll be back in time for you to meet him," Barry informed them before continuing, "Ash is on his morning run, he should've be back now."

The door opened, and Gary grinned, "Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Hey Ashy-boy! Enjoy your run?"

"I actually went pokemon hunting, something told me I would be visited today and I decided to catch a gift." A voice behind Max said, as he turned, a grin appeared on his face. It was the same guy, a bit sweaty and breathless, but still the black haired man that beat May in a fight.

"Oh my gosh! It's so great to meet you again!" Max yelled, jumping up and out of his seat.

Ash smiled at the boy's enthusiasm, "Now that almost all of us are present, care to introduce yourselves?"

"I'm Norman Maple ,and this is my son Max Maple. I'm the Petalburg gym leader, I specialise in normal types," Norman introduced himself, sticking out a hand.

Ash accepted the handshake and smiled, "Ash. Leader of this unit. Nice to meet you. I trust everyone introduced themselves?"

At his team's nods, he turned to Max. "I know you're a little too young to be a trainer, so I brought you a pokemon that is easily handled, and can be a great friend now and an amazing battler later. I promised this guy a good home when I caught him, so make good on that promise, yeah?"

Max nodded eagerly, and accepted the pokeball presented to him, "Pokeball go!"

A bright flash later, and a ralts materialized in front of Max. Stars shined in his eyes as he hugged the little pokemon. "This is so cool! Wait till I show May!"

Ash ruffled the kid's hair and smiled down at him. "Now that I've introduced you to your new friend, how about you meet a few of mine?"

"Really?! Can I meet the pokemon you used the other day!"

"Sure, I'll make Paul introduce you to all our buddies outside." Paul nodded at that statement, and grabbed the row of belts that were hung on the coat hanger hooks. Each were filled with a team of six pokemon. Paul motioned for Max to follow him, and they went outside together.

Norman turned to Ash, "I can't describe my gratefulness to you for saving my family."

"It's alright sir, saving people is our job. And frankly, we're damn good at it."

Norman's smile slipped into a frown, "I'm sorry you have to go through all of this Team Rocket business. Creating Mewtwo was crossing the line."

Ash smiled sadly, "It's what I'm paid to do. I used to be a trainer, and did pretty well in the circuit, but I felt that my calling was saving people and not just battling. I love my job sir, even if it gives my mother heart attacks every day. Besides, Mewtwo is with someone he trusts and won't be a problem any time soon."

Norman laughed at that and clapped the young man's shoulder, "Rest up son, and have a good journey home to Kanto. Maybe we will meet again."

"Thank you sir. Maybe we will…"

Ash and Norman shook hands, and the unit members saw them off.

"Ash, why did you give him a ralts?" Paul asked, confused at his leader's actions.

"No reason," Ash replied, not willing to give a clear answer.

Gary smirked, "Ashy-boy has a crush on the sister, so might as well get close to the brother."

Ash slapped Gary upside the head and closed his eyes, "It's nothing like that, shut up and pack your things…" He said flippantly to Gary, before going into his room, thinking about a brown -haired spitfire.

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Norman thought about the G-Men team he met today. Arceus knows what they went through on New Island. Something Max said while describing all the different kinds of pokemon caught his attention though, "...apparently Ash's last pokemon trusted only him and doesn't answer to anyone else…" Norman smiled. Ash's words echoing in his mind. He was surprised the league would let him have the pokemon, but then again, the young man was quite the enigma. Norman pushed all the thoughts out of his head as he concentrated on the road. A mysterious person indeed.

THANKS TO idotpart1 FOR EDITING THIS CHAPTER!