Hey guys! Here is the next instalment of "The Return of the Hero" hope you guys enjoy! This story will move slow at first given what I have planed but you will understand when I finish unvelling my master plan! For now enjoy, I dnt own pokemon blahh blahh blahh fav/follow!
Pettelburgh City
May awoke the next day, her mind racing about what she was preparing to do. After a few minutes may got up and began getting dressed as she started thinking about how she might go about letting Ash know how she felt about him but she was drawing a complete blank and decided she will cross that bridge when she gets there. Dawn and May's mother, Caroline, had awoken earlier and began to prepare breakfast.
"I hope things go well today, I know May is really nervous." Dawn said to Caroline as she began to prepare the toast.
"I know she cares for that boy a lot I do hope he hasn't found anybody else already." Caroline said as she prepared the eggs.
"I doubt it, Ash couldn't tell if someone liked him if they held a sign up in front of his face!" Dawn said slightly giggling at her own comment.
"I guess he never noticed the little crush you have on him as well." Caroline said giving dawn an evil smirk.
"W-what? I don't know what you're talking about!" Dawn said slightly flustered and feeling her face heat up slightly in embarrassment.
"Come, come now Dawn it's obvious that you like him the way you always talk about him and how he was always sooooo nice to you and how he was the cutest boy you ever met." Caroline said laughing as she saw the blunettes face turn hot pink, "and don't think I didn't catch the little hints of jealousy when you and May talk about him or when he would talk about May."
Dawns face went from hot pink to a very deep shade of red knowing she couldn't hide it from the older woman she decided to give up her façade.
"Ok, maybe I am a little jealous but I would never but my own wants in front of May's she has always been a great friend and I really hope things work out for her!" Dawn said in a calmer tone as her face began to return to its usual bubbly tint.
"that's what I thought and don't worry Dawn I won't mention anything to May because knowing her she would push her feelings aside to let you go for him and I don't want to see her bottle it up anymore." Caroline said in a reassuring tone.
"Thanks Mrs. Maple." Dawn responded knowing that this was best for everyone.
Caroline and Dawn continued to make breakfast as May slowly made her way down the stairs still in deep thought of what today's events might bring. When she arrived in the kitchen she mustered up the cheeriest 'good morning' that she could and sat down on a chair at the table as she watched Dawn and her mother finish up the meal and begin to fix their plates.
"Arent you going to eat, May?" Caroline asked her daughter with a conserned look on her face.
"I'm not very hungry." May said solemly.
"May! You have a big day ahead of you and you are going to need your energy so please eat something." Caroline pleaded.
"I'm just not hungry I'm too nervous about seeing Ash again." May admitted to her mother.
"May relax I'm sure everything is going to be fine Ash always spoke highly of you and he would
be an idiot of he didn't want to be with you!" Dawn said reassuringly in a desperate attempt to make May feel a little better
"Thanks, Dawn, I just don't know what if he likes someone else?" May said worriedly
"May you're thinking about this way too much just relax everything will be fine!" Caroline said putting an arm around her daughter, "now here at least eat this toast."
May took the toast and slowly started nibbling away on it as she continued to think about what Ash might say when she tells him. Dose he share the same feelings for me that I do for him? She thought to herself as she continued to nibble on her toast
"Look at the time we better get going if we are going to catch the flight!" Dawn exclaimed looking at the clock.
"Hop in the car ill drive you two their!" Caroline said
Dawn and May quickly went and gathered up their things and grabbed their bags that they had packed the night before. May was in her room grabbing a few last minuet things and then she saw a picture of her, Ash, Max and Brock together the day the parted ways and she dropped to her knees. "why didn't I go with him!" May thought to herself as she put it in her carry on and made her way down stairs tears streaming down her face.
"What's wrong May?" Dawn asked.
May simply showed her the picture that she had found a few minuets earlier and remained silent.
"It's ok May, we'll see him in a few hours and everything will be fine." Dawn said as she put her arm around the brunette's shoulder in an attempt comfort her.
May simply nodded as she made her way to her mother car placing her bags in the trunk and getting in the Back seat. Dawn came a few seconds latter and Caroline after that as the speed to the airport making record time. When they arrived the duo said their goodbyes to May's mother and rushed to get their bags checked in.
"Just in time, here are the last two tickets to Kanto!" The attendant said as she handed the girls the tickets.
"Thank you!" Dawn said quickly grabbing both tickets and running with May to the terminal.
Pewter City
Brock was sitting in the lobby in of the gym talking to his brother, Forest, who was now the gym leader given that brock was now a full time breeder with the extension added to the gym where he worked. The two brothers were chatting about the best way to breed pokemon to give them more stamina until brock heard a knock on the door.
"Anybody home?!" Brock heard from the other side of the door and filched slightly "it couldn't possibly be…" he thought to himself as he walked to the entrance and opened the door. When he saw who was on the other side he almost fainted from shock but managed to gather himself.
"Ash? Is that you?" Brock Asked
"Long time no see man!" Ash said extending his hand to shake his oldest friend's hand. Instead of taking his hand brock pushed it aside and gave him a bro hug.
"Everybody has been worried sick about you!" Brock scolded Ash
"I know and I do truthfully apologize for my actions but it was too keep you all safe had I told you all the people that are hunting me and my brother might have gone to find me and hurt y'all in the proses" Ash explained, " I hope you forgive me."
"Ash, I understand entirely don't worry about it at all," Brock said, "and also how did you come about finding your brother?"
"I wrote him a letter to come to Unova so I could help him train." Alex explained, "I'm Alex Ketchum by the way pleased to meet you." He finished extending his hand to the spiky haired breeder.
"I'm Brock I travelled with Ash for years before he up and vanished that night 5 years ago." Brock said.
"So you're the infamous Brock Ash here has given me an earful about you! He tells me you're a pokemon breeder?" Alex inquired
"Yeah, I work here in pewter I built a extension to the gym to teach young trainers who to care for their pokemon and to help people breed the strongest pokemon they can!" brock responded proudly
"Well that's good to hear because I have been having a lot of issues trying to breed two of my dragon types hoping to combine their strengths into one." Alex stated.
"What are they?" Brock asked curiously
"A dragonite and a garchomp." Alex responded.
"Well they can breed but it is not very easy process given they are two rather aggressive pokemon it is hard for them to get along enough to produce an egg." Brock responded, "If you want you can leave them with me and I will see what I can do."
"I will consider it." Alex said calmly
"Hey Brock! What's up?" Misty Asked walking in a little later to recover from her flight sickness.
"Hey Misty and nothing much same as usual, traveling with Ash again hu?" Brock inquired
"Yeah I stopped by Delilah's house to ask if she heard anything and he answered the door!" Misty said giving Brock a look begging him to keep quite.
Flashback
"Misty is something bothering you" Brock asked as he sat down next to Misty noticing she seemed troubled. Misty had gone to stay with Brock for a while after Ash had left because she need some support and her sisters were not very much help.
"I'm just thinking if I could have had more time with Ash things might have gone differently." Misty confided in her close friend.
"What might you had you done differently if he had stayed with you longer?" Brock asked.
"I would have told him that I love him." She responded quietly.
End flashback
Brock nodded at Misty know what she meant and changed the subject.
"So Ash, what have you been up too the past years?' Brock inquired
Ash shot a quick look to Alex for confirmation. Alex gave a slight nod letting Ash know that he could continue.
"Me and my brother spent the last years training our pokemon and perfecting our skills with aura so we can help bring down the organization trying to eradicate us, black lightning." Ash explained to brock.
"Speaking of that Ash, you and I have a trip to make to Rota soon to complete your training." Alex interjected, "the rest of you may of course come along if you so choose we will be leaving next week."
"I thought my training was complete." Ash responded
"I have taught you everything I know but you possess a power greater than me and I need to bring you to the man who taught me to help you control it." Alex responded, "I believe you have meet him before, his name is Riley."
"Riley taught you! why didn't you mention this earlier?" Ash protested angrily
"He requested I not tell you until you are ready and now you are so I have told you." Alex responded blankly.
"Very well then," Ash dejected, "well with that said who will be coming along?" Ash asked.
"I'd love to I've been dying to go travel again!" Brock said ecstatically.
"I'll come I've always enjoyed travelling with you Ash." Misty said cheerily.
"Alright then well I guess we need to get going back to Pallet town." Ash said still annoyed at his brother.
"Let me get a few things together!" Brock said rushing to the living quarters of the gym to pack his stuff.
The trio stood there for a moment in silence while Brock was getting his stuff together.
"Alright, let's go!" Brock said emerging from the Back of the gym.
The trip flight back to Pallet was rather uneventful as they flew back in silence.
Pallet Town
Ash was sitting on the back yard porch in a lawn chair watching his Pokémon taking a long needed rest as he thought about what the day might bring. Ash decided he need to get his mind off things as he began to watch his pokemon relax and enjoy their break from training. Charizard was taking a snooze beneath a large oak tree, snoring loudly, whilst Pikachu was resting on his head, dragonite was sitting on a nearby rock staring into the sky thinking of how to make himself a faster flyer. Lucario was sitting next to Ash meditating deeply on the questions of life and what the future may hold for him and his master. The only pokemon that Ash had not released was gyarados for obvious reasons. Ash was giggling at the sight of the small electric rodent sleeping on the large dragons head until Misty had noticed Ash sitting outside.
"You alright Ash?" Misty asked with a concerned look on her face.
"I'm fine just a little tired." Ash said trying to hide his nervousness
"Ash I've know you too long for you to pull that one I can tell when something is bothering you so spill!" Misty demanded
"Alright alright I'm just a little nervous about seeing May again." Ash admitted to the fiery red head.
"So you do like her!" Misty said in a teasing tone
"w-what I just don't know how she going to react to me disappearing for years!" Ash stuttered out.
"I call bullshit! If you don't like her is there anyone you do like." Misty inquired
"I guess, I really don't know I mean all this is new to me." Ash admitted.
"Alright is there a particular girl that you think about more than any other?" Misty asked
"Yeah there is one but we did go through a lot together." Ash said trying to defend himself
"Ok, when you are with her are you happy and feel like nothing can bring you down." Misty asked
"Yeah but it's the same way with all of y'all you, May and Dawn you all make me feel invincible!" Ash said a bit more confidently
"Whatever you say I still think you have a crush on May!" Misty said blushing slightly at Ash's last comment maybe he really dose have feeling for me Misty thought to herself.
"What if I said it was YOU I was thinking about?!" Ash said teasingly
"wha…. Uh… hu?" Misty said blushing wildly.
Ash instantly busted out laughing at the sight of the flustered red head as her face went from embarrassment to anger in a split second.
"ASH! THAT ISN'T FUNNY!" Misty said playfully slapping him on the arm while Ash tried to gather himself.
"You should have seen your face!" Ash said still giggling
"Oh shut it!" Mist said lightheartedly, "So I have to ask to you ever miss traveling with me?"
Ash paused for a moment as he felt a small blush come across his face.
"Every day since we stopped." Ash said putting his arm around Misty and pulling her towards him as she rested her head against his shoulder. Ash could feel his heart beating faster as she did this and he was confused as to why but enjoyed having her with him none the less.
"That's really sweet Ash." Misty said as a small smile crawled across her face.
Misty looked up into Ash's eyes and got lost for a moment. In this moment she felt as if everything was perfect. She began to lean in closer to Ash until their faces were only inches apart. That sat there for a moment until Misty's urges got the best of her as she dove in and their lips collided. Ash was shocked to say the least but not so much because she kissed him it was how much he liked it. All this time Ash knew he had feelings for May but now he was conflicted. After a second or two Ash began to return the kiss and lost himself in Misty. After a few moments Mist pulled away, looked at Ash, and started to cry.
"Ash, I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that." Misty said as she got up and went back in the house and sat in the guest room her mind racing with too many emotions for her to handle.
Ash sat their frozen completely flabbergasted at the events that had just occurred. He really wasn't sure what to think, he knew he liked May but now he wasn't sure if he should go for her or Misty. Ash sat and put his hands in his head trying to put things together unsure how to continue.
Kanto Airport – Saffron City
"Finally here!" Dawn exclaimed, "You ready to get going May?"
May simply nodded her head as the duo made their way towards the bus stop hoping to catch a ride to pallet. Luckily the had arrived just in time and caught the only bus to pallet as they found their seats Dawn looked at May and saw the same solemn expression she wore since she had found that picture.
"May, are you sure you are ok?" Dawn asked putting a hand on May
"No, I'm really scared of what might happen what if he rejects me? What if he has someone?" May started to breath frantically and rapidly as all the thoughts flooded her head all at once.
"May, trust me everything will be alright trust me Ash wont reject you." Dawn said reassuringly
"How can you know that?" May asked desperately
"Because when I was traveling with him I had asked him if there was anyone who he cared for, he said yeas and when I asked who he said you," Dawn responded, "May, please don't tell him he made me swear to keep it to myself."
May stared at Dawn felling a wave of relief pass over her as she wrapped Dawn in a tight hug.
"Thank you Dawn! That makes me feel a lot better knowing even if he does have someone that he does care for me!" May said as the color returned back to her face
The rest of the trip was rather uneventful. The duo spent the next three hours chatting about combos for contest and their travels with Ash. When they finally arrived in Pallet they both couldn't help but get nervous. They made their way to The Ketchum residents in silence and paused as they reached the front door. After a few moment May worked up some courage and knocked lightly on the door.