"Mum! Dad! I'm home!" May shouted as she entered her home.
No one replied. She wandered around and found herself at the doors of the gym. She heard voices inside and walked right in. Norman was talking to who she assumed to be a challenger. The challenger looked sad which didn't surprise May because her dad being beaten was not common. Norman sent the child off and went to hug May.
"Dad!" May shouted with joy.
"I missed you! I'm so proud of you. We all are," Norman congratulated her, hugging May tightly.
"Speaking of which. Where's the fam?" May asked.
Norman lead her out through the back door, "Here, in the garden."
"Garden? But-" May started. She's cut off as she took notice of the decorations in the garden. There was a banner that spelled out in huge letters "WELCOME HOME!" and a cake on a picnic table along with other snacks and treats spread out on the table. Max and Caroline were standing around with beaming smiles.
May ran up to them and engulfed them in a huge hug, "Aww I've missed you."
"Even me?" Max scoffed.
May ruffled his hair, "Especially you."
They all sat at the table and took slices of the cake. May, as usual, ploughed through as if it were nothing. Caroline laughed, "I guess some things haven't changed."
May abruptly stopped with icing all around her mouth, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Max shook his head and muttered, "Still don't see what they ever saw in you."
Norman and Caroline were oblivious to his comment but May certainly wasn't. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and eyed him suspiciously.
Caroline asked, "So when are you planning to head out to Kalos May?"
"This evening, actually. Have you seen the brochures? It's gorgeous and there are so many things I want to see before the Inter-Competition. If you don't want to come with me tonight Max that's fine," May rambled nervously.
Max stopped eating, "I'll start packing right away."
With that he jumped out of his seat and ran into the house. Norman ran after him yelling advice at him.
May picked up her cup of hot chocolate and began to drink and noticed her mother with a thoughtful grin. She asked, "What's up, mom?"
"You've grown up so much and you're always busy. It's wonderful to see you so happy," Caroline smiled.
May grinned, "Hasn't been easy but life's been great."
Caroline casually asked, "Still no boyfriend?"
May felt herself getting hot and it wasn't from her drink. She sipped her hot chocolate and then replied, "Nope. Still single."
"What about Drew? Or Ash? Gary?" Caroline mused.
"G-Gary?" May laughed, "Yeah because that's so likely."
Caroline blinked, "Okay well Ash has been in Kalos for several months now. That's what Delia's told me."
May slowly shook her head, "Mom, calm down. I'm not seeing anyone and Ash is just my friend."
Caroline said, "Alright, May. But if you do get a boyfriend to be safe."
May stayed silent. What was she to reply? What kind of safe did she even mean? Instead of replying May just took a sip out of her mug.
KALOS
"Ugh, I'm totally wiped," May sighed as she stepped out of the airport tugging her luggage along.
Max energetically followed May, "And I'm totally recharged!"
"How is that even possible? I'm so jet lagged," May whined stretching herself out.
Max took out his Pokenav and reassured, "Don't worry we're almost at the hotel."
They proceeded to walk down the road in the darkwith the sounds of their suitcases rattling against the cobblestone. They arrived at a large hotel which looked like a place. There were statues of Rapidashs on their hind legs on the outside and beautiful flowers and hedges that decorated the front lawn. The clock on one of its turrets read 11:30. The sky was dark and the stars illuminated the stained glass windows of the hotel. May and Max made their way up the front steps.
Max had crashed and was just as tired. May yawned, "Max..."
"Yeah..." He replied with a yawn.
"Mom and Dad don't need to know about how we missed our first flight okay? For all they know we got here at 9, not 11:30."
"No problem." He stretched out.
They checked in and walked into their extravagant rooms. The bedsheets were made of silk and the colour schemes were red and gold. Max popped into May's room, "Whoa. I can't believe that all the other competitors are staying in rooms just like ours."
"We're pretty special," May commented.
Max nodded and then said, "Later."
He left for his room and May unpacked her suitcases before getting ready for bed.
NEXT DAY
Ash groggily walked down the Pokemon Centre steps with his loyal Pikachu by his side. There Clemont, Bonnie and Serena were waiting for him impatiently.
"About time," Clemont said tapping his foot as he cared at his watch.
"Yeah. I was getting bored," Bonnie added.
Ash yawned, "Sorry guys I was checking the address for the hotel."
"Hotel?" Serena curiously asked.
"Yeah, the ones reserved for the competitors. That's where I was supposed to check in," Ash explained. Serena let out a disappointed 'oh'.
Clement asked, curious, "Which one is it?"
Ash looked at his letter for confirmation, "The De La Roche Hotel."
Everyone else's jaws dropped whilst Ash still stared at it cluelessly.
Serena gasped, "But that's one of the most expensive hotels in Kalos!"
Bonnie chimed in, "I heard Diantha, Cynthia and other Elite members and Champions are also staying there."
"We'd never be able to afford a night there let alone about a week," Serena sighed.
Clement said pushing up his glasses, "Well, we can always stay in the Pokemon Centre. The hotel isn't even that far form here."
Bonnie exclaimed, "It's really hot today. Enough about the hotel, let's go to the beach!"
"Awww. I was hoping to train." Ash pouted, looking down at his Pokeballs.
Bonnie pouted even harder, "Pweaaseeeee. You always train."
Clement agreed, "The weather is too good let's just go to the beach."
Serena steps beside Ash, "Maybe we should let Ash train. The Inter-Competition is coming up soon and his Pokemon need to be in tip-top shape."
Ash suddenly changed his mind, "Actually. I guess I could skip a day. Serena, you can stay here and train if you want."
Serena awkwardly giggled, "W-What? No it was only if you wanted to train. I'm good with the beach. Let's go right now."
The foursome sauntered down the busy roads and followed the signs to the beach. The sun beat down on their backs as they went down the wide roads. The closer they arrived to the beach the lighter the sun seemed to let up. The group found a place to sit down and talk when a frisbee suddenly landed in the middle of them.
Serena leaped up and was ready to berate whoever had thrown it. Instead of a human, a Wartortle, trotted over. Serena blinked and got out her Pokedex. It scanned the Pokemon and read:
Wartortle, the Turtle Pokemon. The evolved form of Squirrel. Its long, furry tail is a symbol of its age and wisdom.
The Wartortle hopped into the middle of them and took a hold of the frisbee. Bonnie commented, "This Wartortle is so cute!"
She reached her hand out to pet it and the Wartortle instantly snuggled up to her. Bonnie then tossed the frisbee up in the air for the Wartortle to catch. The Wartortle caught it in its mouth and did a backflip before gracefully landing on its tail.
Clement commented, "This Wartortle must be pretty well trained. Contests, maybe? It's really well groomed."
A voice called out, "Wartortle! Wartortle, where are you?"
Ash frowned, Wait a sec...that voice sounds so-
"Ash?" The voice asked. Ash looked up from the Wartortle to see May. Except she looked different. The years had been kind...no generous to her.
She had grown her hair a little longer but still had her bangs. She had a sky blue bandana on and a blue version of her outfit from Sinnoh. May's eyes shone in delight. She didn't hesitate to leap forward and swung her arms around his neck. May noted that he had grown a lot taller.
Ash wrapped his arms around her waist and May had so much momentum that Ash easily lifted and spun her around. Before pulling away she brushed his cheek with a quick, friendly peck.
May excitedly said, "I can't believe it's you. I haven't seen you in ages. You look great!"
Ash smiled back, "So do you!"
May then slapped his arm and Ash immediately reacted, "Hey. What was that for?"
"It wouldn't kill you to call me sometime. Holidays don't count. I haven't heard from you properly in ages."
Ash chuckled, "Yeah...about that. Um, I kind of forgot."
May looked a bit hurt but lit up when Pikachu launched himself into her arms. She nuzzled him, "Oh, Pikachu. I've missed you too. At least you remembered me."
Serena, Bonnie and Clemont stood there. Serena cleared her throat and Ash said, "Oh yeah. May."
"Clement, Bonnie, Serena. You may know her already but this is one of my best friends, May."
Clement admired, "Wow you're even prettier in real life."
"Aw thanks," May replied with a small smile. Bonnie said, "Your Wartortle is so nice."
May agreed, "Yeah. He really loves people, probably the most outgoing of my Pokemon."
Ash added, "Can't believe it used to be a little, shy Squirrel."
When May and Serena made eye contact, Serena instantly stepped forward in excitement.
She grinned, "I just want to say that I think you're awesome and that you slay in every contest that you're in."
"I love you already Serena." May smiled back.
Ash stuffed his hands in his pockets, "So you ready for the Inter-Competition?"
May enthusiastically jumped up, "Of course. This is the biggest event of the whole year. I really wanted to just take a year off but I couldn't miss such a big opportunity."
Ash looked around, "So where's Max?"
May gasped, "I forgot. I asked him to get me a slushy since he wanted to get an ice cream."
May then snapped her fingers, "Tell you what! Let's meet at the Pokemon Centre right now. I'll go get Max and my stuff. I'll try not to be too long!"
She then ran off down the beach quickly out of sight.
Bonnie tried to call after her, "DON'T FORGET YOUR...Wartortle.."
Ash brushed it off, "No big deal. We'll just bring him with us."
Bonnie sat up and Ash said, "Alright, Pikachu-"
He stopped and looked around with worry stricken on his face, "Where did he go? I swear Team Rocket wasn't even here."
Clement replied, "Pretty sure May was holding him."
Ash let out a sigh of relief, "Okay, good. He'll be fine then."
Serena looked on perplexed. She gathered that they were good friends but he never separated with his Pikachu.
"You saw Ash? No way!" Max shouted when May came back.
"Got his Pikachu as proof," May grinned holding out Pikachu in front of his face who gladly nuzzled Max's face.
"But where's Ash? And Wartortle?"
May replied, "They're meeting us at the Pokemon Centre right now so let's go!"
Max and May packed up in record time with Pikachu helping them. They made their way to the Pokemon Centre as quickly as they could.
Serena smiled, "For a second I thought you weren't coming back."
May returned Wartortle into its Pokeball, "What? No way? After I just reunited with Mr-I-Forgot-How-To-Be-A-Friend. Not even Ponytas could drag me away."
Ash chuckled slightly blushing at her statement to which May returned with a sly wink. Bonnie moaned, "Aw, I was hoping I could still play with Wartortle."
May winked again, "If you're looking for a play partner, you'll want her."
She took out a Pokeball and threw it out revealing Skitty. As Skitty stretched herself out, Clemont took out his Pokedex:
Skitty, the Kitten Pokemon. Skitty will get completely caught up in pursuing any moving objects that catches its eye.
Bonnie quickly scooped her up and started petting her. Ash commented, "The same could be said for Bonnie."
Pikachu loudly agreed, "Pika PIKA."
A Pokemon then popped out of May's Pokeball. May's Glaceon elegantly landed onto the Pokemon floor catching everybody's attention. She had her usual smug and sly smirk. Serena also took out her Pokedex:
Glaceon, the Fresh Snow Pokemon and the evolved form of Eevee. It freezes the surrounding air by controlling its body temperature. Glaceon can freeze the futon its body, and make it stick out like sharp needles.
"Glaceon is beautiful. Didn't you say it was one of your proudest Pokemon in Contest Weekly?" Serena asked.
May nodded blushing, "Wow, you read that?"
Serena giggled, "I never miss an issue. There are way too many cute OOTD's and baking treats in those."
Bonnie asked, "I wonder why Glaceon got out?"
May suggested, "The only reason I can think of is because she recognised Pikachu's voice. They've been really close since she hatched as an Eevee."
Clement asked, "Didn't Glaceon help you in lots of Contests and the Wallace Cup that they hosted in Johto?"
"Yup so her ego is fairly...big. She constantly thinks she's the best. I have to be honest though Glaceon is a really strong Ice type and can usually handle herself pretty well against her weaknesses."
Serena thought, Is that so? My Fennekin is a Fire type so if I battle her then I'll have a type advantage. Maybe Ash can see how much I've improved.
"I want to battle your Glaceon," Serena blurted out grabbing everyone's full attention. They all stopped and stared at Serena.
May simply smiled, "Challenge accepted. I love battles. What do you say Glaceon?"
Glaceon jumped down from the table and flipped her tassels. May headed towards the doors leading to the training grounds, "That's a yes."
Hope chapter 2 was nice.
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IdealSkylar