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Stone Badge arcChapter 4 – There's No Place Like Hoenn


They weren't very far away from Petalburg City, much to Ash's delight and to May's nervousness. Ash noticed how nervous she was the closer they got to the city but every time he brought it up, May refused to answer and she immediately changed the subject. Ash didn't try to get an answer out of her as he believed that she would tell him when she was ready. He was much more focused on the two new Pokémon that he had acquired via trade. It was hard for him to believe that he had only been in the Hoenn region for a couple of days and he already had three new Pokémon. He had been forced to send Totodile back to Professor Oak's in order to fit in the new Pokémon that he had acquired. There was something that he needed to do with Pidgeot and once that was done then he would send her to Professor Oak's and he would get Totodile back.

Speaking of those two Pokémon, the both of them were currently out of their Poké Balls and along with Pikachu they were exploring the area around them. Electrike, Ash could already see, was a hyper active and playful Pokémon as he watched her bark playfully at everything that amused her. Poor Pikachu was having a hard time keeping up with her and making sure that she stayed on route. Ash figured that she didn't get much time outside of her Poké Ball with her last trainer. Poochyena, on the other hand, was very different to Electrike. He merely glanced around with interest but he kept within a few feet of Ash, like a dutiful dog keen on protecting his master.

"You really like keeping your Pokémon outside of their Poké Balls, don't you?" May questioned him curiously as she walked a few feet behind him. The brunette had to admit that she was startled by how protective that Poochyena had become of Ash. Earlier this morning when she had met up with Ash, he revealed to her that he had traded two of his Tauros for an Electrike and a Poochyena an hour before she got there. When he showed them to her, Poochyena gave her a slight growl when she approached Ash, causing her to back off slightly, but Ash just knelt down and patted the canine-like Pokémon softly on his head. He assured him that she was a friend. From there, May had no more problems with Poochyena but she did receive wary glances.

"Yeah, it's something that I promised to do more of in this journey." Ash looked back at her with a grin, "Does it bother you?"

"Not at all!" May answered him, hastily. "There is one thing that is bothering me though and that is why you traded those two large Pokémon?" Ash had shown her the Pokémon that he had traded with his Pokédex and May wondered why he had traded such tough looking Pokémon.

"That's because I still have 28 of them." Ash answered easily, "I fully intend to trade most of them away. They deserve better than to just run around in the same field for the rest of their lives."

"That makes sense, I guess." May muttered.

"Besides I have hit the jackpot with these two Pokémon." Ash grinned down at Poochyena when he saw the canine-like Pokémon puff out his chest after hearing his words.

"What do you mean?" May tilted her head cutely in confusion.

Ash quickly brushed aside the thought of May being cute. He had been thinking that ever since he had met her and it was beginning to frustrate him. The thought would just pop up in his head randomly. Ash held up his Pokédex, "I was just checking over Electrike's and Poochyena's skill set and I discovered that they both have several egg moves." He informed her with a large grin on his face.

"What are egg moves?"

"That was my question to Brock once," Ash smiled fondly in remembrance, "to put it simply, it's moves that a Pokémon is born with. A Pokémon can inherit the moves of its parents and depending on whom its parents were a Pokémon can inherit moves that it would otherwise be unable to learn. Although, it can also know a move that it wouldn't know until later when they are more experienced. Like I was saying earlier, I hit the jackpot with these Pokémon and I will use Poochyena as an example to explain why. According to my Pokédex, Poochyena knows Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, and Ice Fang. That means that one of his parents must have been an Arbok, Snubbull or a Granbull."

"Again, how do you know that?"

"That answer is still the same, May." Ash informed her patiently, "My Pokédex. When you catch a Pokémon, you will not believe how much information is accessed in your Pokédex. As for knowing about egg moves and how they are done, I learned all of that from my friend Brock who inspires to be the world's best Pokémon Breeder."

"I see," May muttered, "do the Pokémon's parents need to know the move for the offspring to inherit?"

"I'm not sure," Ash admitted with a frown, he never asked Brock that question, "I would assume so. It doesn't make much sense for a Pokémon to inherit a move from its parent if said parent didn't know the move in the first place."

Their conversation suddenly ended when they heard Electrike barking happily at the end of the road and Pikachu was waving them over cheerfully. Ash quickly ran ahead, with Poochyena right on his heels.

"It's Petalburg City!" Ash shouted happily when he reached the end of the road. They were currently on a large hill and he could see the whole city from his position. Pikachu eagerly jumped onto his shoulder and joined in at admiring the sight.

"Do you mind explaining what the big fat rush is, Ash?" May asked annoyed at the sudden change in pace.

"I found out that the Gym Leader at Petalburg City's name is Norman and it is rumoured that he is almost as strong as an Elite Four member!" Ash told her excitedly and he ran towards the city, ignoring her pleas for them to slow down.


It didn't take them long to arrive at Petalburg City but they didn't immediately head straight to the Gym and instead they stopped at a small playground to rest for a little while. Ash – who had already returned Poochyena and Electrike to their Poké Balls – Pikachu and May all sat on individual cylinder shaped seats right next to the playground.

"So Petalburg Gym is a big deal, is it?" May asked him softly.

"Yeah, usually when you complete a Gym then you get a Badge. Once you collect all eight then you can compete in the Ever Grande Conference." Ash explained, "Although if the rumours are true about this Norman's strength, then I don't have much chance with the Pokémon that I have with me. Pikachu, Pidgeot... and maybe Cyndaquil can hopefully give this guy a good fight. However I think the chance to fight someone near Elite Four level would be good training."

"That sounds great, I guess." May replied unenthusiastically.

"Considering how enthusiastic you are," Ash drawled sarcastically, "I take it that you're not interested in competing in the Hoenn League?"

"It's not really my thing." May confessed.

"Then what do you want to do?" Ash inquired curiously.

"Honestly," May sighed, "I don't really have a goal. I just want to travel and explore different places."

"Fair enough," Ash nodded, not everyone had a goal like he did when starting their journey. "I'm sure you will discover what you want to do eventually and when the time comes, I'll help you achieve it."

"Thanks, Ash." May smiled at him gratefully with a blush on her face and she couldn't quite meet his eyes but Ash didn't understand what that meant.

"I wonder what this Gym Leader is like." Ash changed the subject by pondering out loud.

"I'm sure he is a nice guy." May assured him.

"What?! May, do you know him?!" Ash demanded to know.

"Me?!" May asked startled, "I don't really know him that well. The word on the street is that he is very kind and also very strong and of course I have heard that he is really handsome and a really great man." For some reason while she was saying this, she stood up and began doing different poses. Ash didn't understand why she did this but he couldn't deny that he enjoyed watching her.

"It sounds like you know him pretty well." Ash told her.

"I don't really know him that well." May said nervously.

"Then you should come with me and we can meet him together." Ash offered.

"I can't." May quickly shot down that idea. The brunette couldn't allow her parents to see her walk into the Gym with a boy. Her mother would take it the wrong way, her mother would tease her mercilessly and her father would get all protective. It would be better for her to meet them alone and explain why she was with him.

"Why not?" Ash asked her with a frown.

"Well, you see..." May began as she walked off, "There are things I have to go do. Later Ash!" May waved before running off leaving a flabbergasted Ash.

"Pika, pika!" Pikachu waved back happily.

"That was weird." Ash muttered.

Ash didn't spend much time on thinking where May had gone as he was much more interested in the battle he was going to have with the Petalburg Gym Leader. He entered the Gym with Pikachu on his shoulder but when he found the hall with the battlefield, it was empty.

"Hello!" Ash called out, "I'm here for a Gym battle!"

"Can you please keep it down." An annoyed voice came from behind him and Ash turned to see a small boy in a green shirt, green and brown sneakers, black glasses and brown shorts. "I am trying to watch a tape of the Silver Conference." The boy's eyes suddenly widened when he noticed the trainer, "It's you!" the boy shouted pointing his right index finger at the older teen.

"Me?"

"You competed in the Silver Conference!" The boy yelled.

"That's right." Ash said with a cocky smirk.

"You lost in the second round!"

Ash bowed his head in despair at the reminder and Pikachu jumped off his shoulder in the process to form the same position as his trainer.

"Wait your name is..." The boy hesitated for a moment, "is Alf!"

Ash fell to his knees.

"Pikachu." The electric rodent muttered worriedly.

"That's your Pikachu!" The boy shouted and he quickly hugged the startled Electric Pokémon tightly. "Hi there Pikachu! My name's Max!" The boy named Max kept his hold on Pikachu and he looked over at Ash, "I watched you compete in the Silver Conference and I have been watching the tapes I made of it ever since! You made it all the way to the second round but then you got knocked by Harrison's Blaziken and that was the end of you!"

"Do you really have to bring up that battle?" Ash groaned, "I competed in some other great battles."

"I know your battles were totally awesome! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Your Charizard completely dominated Gary Oak but your battle between your Charizard and Harrison's Blaziken was really cool. Both Pokémon just kept taking one attack after another and they kept getting back up! I guess Charizard just couldn't handle it. If you had to do over again, don't you think you would have used Charizard's attacks more effectively? If I had been in there, I would have won it. You still have a long way to go!"

"Hold it, kid," Ash bluntly retorted, "Its one thing to watch it on the television and one thing to actually battle."

"So do I detect sour grapes?" Max asked smugly, "Yep, you've got some nerve coming here after losing in round 2."

Normally Ash would have exploded with rage by now, but he understood now that he needed to keep his emotions under better check. He wasn't going to give this kid the satisfaction of getting under his skin. The brat had no idea what he was talking about.

"I'm not interested in talking about this," Ash declared through gritted teeth, struggling to suppress his anger at the boy's arrogance. "I'm here to battle the Gym Leader!"

"That's me." Max informed him with a smirk.

"Huh?"

"Pika?" The electric rodent and his trainer muttered dully.

"That's right! The Petalburg Gym Leader is yours truly! Ta-da!" Max boasted proudly.

"Yeah, right." Ash scoffed at him.

"What! You think I'm not good enough?!" Max retorted angrily.

"That's not it." Ash said calmly, suddenly feeling satisfied that in the end, he was the one that got under Max's skin. "I already know that the Gym Leader's name is Norman. That clearly isn't you and besides it doesn't matter how smart or naturally talented a kid is... no one under ten years old could be a Gym Leader."

"I just turned nine a couple of weeks ago! I'll be ten soon!" Max told him sharply.

"Since you're nine that means you're not qualified to be a Pokémon Trainer and thus you cannot be a Gym Leader." Ash smirked in victory.

Max was too startled to answer. Pikachu looked dully up at his trainer, feeling embarrassed that Ash was so pleased with outsmarting a kid four years younger than him.

"Hey, Max, what are you doing?" A voice outside of the building called out causing Max and Ash to look outside the window to see May.

"Uh, hey sis." Max greeted her sheepishly.

"Your sister?!" Ash said incredulously.

"Well then, who do we have here?" A man that had similar colour to Max appeared on May's left and Ash assumed that he must be Max's father... and May's apparently.

"Hello." A woman that looked a lot like May appeared on her right.

"What is going on?" Ash muttered confused.


A few minutes later, they were all sitting on the benches in the corner of the battlefield hall.

"Ash this is my mother and my father," May gestured to her parents

"Please to meet you, I'm Norman." Norman greeted him with his arms folded across his chest.

"And I'm Caroline." May's mother introduced herself pleasantly with her hands in her lap.

"This is my little brother." May slapped her brother on the shoulder lightly.

"Yeah, we've met." Ash smirked slightly.

"You see, my dad is the real leader of the Petalburg Gym!" Max declared proudly.

"That's right." Norman nodded.

"So... Petalburg City is where you come from May?" Ash asked her with narrowed eyes, wondering why she didn't just tell him that.

"Why... um... yes!" May chuckled sheepishly.

"We really appreciate you bringing May all the way home." Caroline said gratefully.

"Oh, sure but I really didn't do anything." Ash said humbly.

"Mum, dad, this is the guy that lost in the second round of the Silver Conference!" Max informed them excitedly. "His name is Alf!"

"My name is Ash." Ash retorted softly.

"May, dear, what happened to you bike?" Caroline asked her daughter.

"Um... well, you see, mum..." May tried to explain nervously, slightly worried at her parents reaction about her bike getting destroyed.

"We're really sorry," Ash and Pikachu bowed their heads apologetically at Norman, Caroline and May. "Pikachu accidentally destroyed it in a battle."

"Pikachu, pi pika." The electric rodent apologised.

"It's not a big deal," Norman assured him, "bikes are replaceable."

"And walking is better for your health anyway." Caroline pointed out.

Ash found some amusement when Norman requested to see the Pokémon that May had received from Professor Birch and she released her Torchic from the confines of her Poké Ball. Max wasn't impressed with her selection saying that she should have chosen a Treecko. Torchic didn't take that too kindly and she began pecking him everywhere she could causing Max to cry out in pain. When the amusing scene died down, Caroline invited Ash and Pikachu to lunch which they graciously accepted.

"May tells me that you have been travelling for a long time." Caroline said to Ash during lunch.

"Yeah, I have been to a lot of places." Ash grinned, picking up a roast beef sandwich.

"I wish I could travel too." Max whined softly.

"Have you travelled all alone?" Caroline inquired curiously.

"Actually I travelled with some of my best friends, and Pikachu, of course." Ash answered her.

"Pikachu!"

"That's good." Norman approved, "Travelling with others is always so much easier."

"And it's a lot more fun too." Ash grinned.

"I wish I could travel with my buddies that would be great." Max wished.

"Dad, Ash would like to have a Gym battle with you." May informed her father.

"I hope that is okay." Ash requested of Norman.

"That's fine, Ash. How many Badges have you won so far?" Norman asked him.

"This will be my first one."

"So you're just starting out." Norman observed.

"That won't do Ash." Max smirked at him, "My dad is the best Gym Leader ever!" The young boy boasted, "Only trainers that have earned at least four Badges are allowed to battle him!"

"Is that true?" Ash asked him.

"Technically, it is." Norman answered, "But it is more of a recommendation. I'm more than happy to have a battle with you, if you wish."

"Really?!" Ash asked in excitement, "Is a one on one battle alright with you?"

"That sounds fine to me." Norman agreed.

"That's nice of you, Norman." Caroline smiled at her husband.

"It won't be an official Gym battle as the rules are three on three." Norman explained.

"That's okay!" Ash said in delight, "I really appreciate it!"


Norman and Ash stood on the opposite sides of the battlefield while May, Caroline and Max were sitting on the sidelines.

"Okay Vigoroth, I choose you!" Norman shouted and he released his Pokémon onto the battlefield. The Pokémon that entered the battlefield was a white, sloth-like, bipedal Pokémon with a teardrop-shaped tuft of red fur on his forehead. He has stubby ears, two small, triangular visible teeth in each jaw, and large eyes encircled by brown rings. The two stripes on his back and maw are also brown. His arms are long, and his hands and feet have two sharp black claws.

Ash quickly pulled out his Pokédex, "Vigoroth, the Wild Monkey Pokémon. Vigoroth is only comfortable going berserk. Will destroy anything in its path by spinning both arms, and goes more berserk when done."

'I wonder what kind of moves this Vigoroth is going to use.' Ash thought with a frown. "Okay, then I choose, Pidgeot!"

Ash released the bird Pokémon onto the battlefield for the first time since he competed in the Indigo League.

"That Pidgeot is beautiful!" May gasped at the sight of Ash's bird Pokémon.

"Pidgeot doesn't have a chance against dad's Vigoroth!" Max declared.

"You can have the first move, Ash!" Norman offered.

"Pidgeot, use Quick Attack!" Ash didn't hesitate to accept the offer.

The large avian like bird shot towards the Vigoroth at a speed greater than Ash remembered.

"Dodge it, Vigoroth and retaliate with a Flamethrower!" Norman countered quickly.

To Ash's frustration, Vigoroth jumped to the left and he avoided the Quick Attack. The wild monkey Pokémon quickly spun around and released a jet of flames from his mouth and it smashed into Pidgeot's back. Pidgeot chirped painfully from the heat of the flames and she crashed onto the floor.

"Get back into the air, Pidgeot!" Ash ordered swiftly. There had been a major concern when he took Pidgeot back and that was the rustiness they both had. Apart from the battle against the Fearow, Ash actually had never used Pidgeot in a battle. Not to mention, Pidgeot had most likely only fought against Flying type Pokémon and so she would be rusty against other types.

"Use Slash, Vigoroth!"

Vigoroth's claws in its right paw extended slightly before they were enveloped in a white light and he struck Pidgeot's back. The force caused Pidgeot to stagger but she managed to maintain upright before she quickly took flight.

"Try a Whirlwind, Pidgeot!"

"Flamethrower, Vigoroth!"

The wild monkey Pokémon unleashed another torrent of flames from his mouth up at Pidgeot and the Flying type Pokémon quickly countered by flapping her winds fiercely, creating a powerful wind. Unfortunately for Ash, when the wind clashed with the fire, it seemed to enhance the fire and the flames enveloped Pidgeot.

Pidgeot dropped towards the floor, burns covering her body but before she collided with the floor, the Flying type Pokémon managed to recover and pull up just in time. Judging by her ruffled appearance and black scorch marks on her body; Ash knew that she had been burned.

"Fire another Flamethrower, Vigoroth!"

"Double Team, Pidgeot and then follow up with a Wing Attack!"

Pidgeot created multiple clones of herself and Vigoroth fired the Flamethrower through two of them but he wasn't able to hit the right one. The Pidgeot clones moved in and Vigoroth was hit in the back of his head by the real Pidgeot's wing. Vigoroth stumbled forward by the force of the blow.

"Now use Quick Attack!"

Pidgeot slammed into Vigoroth's back and she sent the wild monkey Pokémon sailing a few feet through the air before landing painfully on the ground.

"Vigoroth!" Norman shouted out in concern.

"I didn't think that they had a chance against your dad's Vigoroth." Caroline commented in surprise.

"Wow! Ash is good, huh!" May said in amazement. Just a few seconds ago she thought the fight was over when Pidgeot was hit by that powerful Flamethrower but now Ash was suddenly in full control.

"Of course he is good." Max retorted, "He did finish in the top eight in the Silver Conference, after all."

"I think that it is time to finish this." Ash smirked, it was time that he used the attack that Pidgeot had learned in her time among the other Pidgeotto. "Finish this with a Hyper Beam, Pidgeot!"

Pidgeot gathered a ball of golden energy in between her beaks and she unleashed the powerful beam of energy straight at Vigoroth.

"Use Protect, Vigoroth!"

Vigoroth got to his feet as the powerful beam of energy approached him rapidly and he quickly summoned a green sphere force field that surrounded him. The beam clashed against the shield but the force field didn't buckle under the power of the Hyper Beam.

"Vigoroth could use Protect?!" Ash said stunned. This was bad. Ash knew that Pidgeot would be completely open for the next attack.

"Sorry Ash," Norman smiled over at him, "but I am afraid this is the end. Vigoroth, use Thunderbolt!"

Ash's eyes widened in horror.

Pidgeot could do nothing but be enveloped by the powerful electric attack.

"It looks like that's it." Max grinned widely at the sight of his father's victory.

"He was doing so well." May said somewhat sad to see Ash lose.

"He put up a good fight," Caroline acknowledged, "your father is just a bit too experienced for him right now."

"This isn't over just yet." Ash informed Norman. He was right as Pidgeot slowly stood back up after falling to the ground from the electric attack. "Can you keep fighting, Pidgeot?"

Pidgeot chirped loudly in agreement and she began to slowly fly back into the air.

"How is that possible?!" Max shouted in disbelief. "Pidgeot took a direct attack from a Thunderbolt!"

"I'm not surprised." Norman grinned at Ash and he overheard his son's question, "There is a major difference in power when an electric Pokémon uses an Electric type attack compared to some other type using an Electric type attack. It's the same with the Flamethrowers from earlier." The leader of the Gym then focused back on the battle, "Vigoroth fire off another Thunderbolt!"

"Dodge it with Agility, Pidgeot!" Ash shouted.

Pidgeot was able to avoid the electric attack thanks to her impressive speed through the air but Ash could tell she was still very much hampered by the earlier damage.

"Now hit Vigoroth with a Wing Attack!"

Pidgeot shot towards Vigoroth and she attempted to smack him with her wing.

"Use Protect once again, Vigoroth!"

Pidgeot's wing slammed into the green shield that suddenly appeared before Vigoroth.

"Grab Pidgeot, Vigoroth!"

The shield shattered and Pidgeot staggered back. The sudden change in tactic startled Pidgeot long enough for Vigoroth to wrap his arms around the Flying type Pokémon to stop it from flying. Pidgeot tried to break out relentlessly but the grip Vigoroth had on her was far too powerful.

"Now use Thunder!"

"Pidgeot!" Ash called out helplessly but he couldn't do anything as Vigoroth and Pidgeot were enveloped in a powerful burst of electricity. Once Vigoroth ceased the attack, he released Pidgeot from his grasp and the Flying type Pokémon collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

"I think that's it." Norman called the match.

Ash returned Pidgeot back into her Poké Ball after gratefully thanking her for her efforts. He looked over at Norman, "That Vigoroth of yours is really powerful, Norman." Ash complimented. He looked down at Pikachu, "There are some strong Pokémon here in the Hoenn region, isn't there, Pikachu?"

"Pika, pika." The electric rodent nodded in agreement. He didn't even know if he could have defeated that Vigoroth.

"Dad was so awesome!" Max cheered his father's victory. His father was unbeatable.

Ash was disappointed that he lost the match but he learned a lot from it and he remember what Gary had told him. The trainer from Pallet Town could finally understand what Gary was talking about thanks to that battle with Norman. Off the top of his head, not one of his Pokémon knew the move Protect. He would need to do something about that.


The Next Morning – 6:30am


"I guess it is time for you two to take off. Have you packed everything, May?" Caroline questioned her daughter. Ash, May and her parents all stood in front of the Petalburg Gym. May's parents had kindly allowed Ash to use the spare room the previous night.

"Don't worry, Mum." May tried to assure her.

"Since you don't know anything about Pokémon, May," Max suddenly appeared at Ash's side, with a yellow backpack, "I should go too."

Ash, Pikachu and May were all surprised at the demand.

Norman nodded and he told May, "Your brother does know a lot about Pokémon, he may be a big help to you."

"And a lot less worry for me." Caroline added happily. She had been extremely nervous about May going on a journey considering how little she knew about Pokémon. Max would help her in that regard.

"Ash, would it be too much of a bother if Max travelled with you and May?" Norman asked the boy from Pallet. Norman thought it would be a great idea to send Max along, as while he liked Ash, he needed to make sure that he didn't touch his daughter inappropriately. He could still remember what it was like turning that age. Max would keep an eye out and report anything to him.

"It's fine with me, the more the merrier, I say." Ash answered him honestly.

"Pikachu!" The electric rodent agreed.

"Thanks, Ash." May said gratefully.

"This is going to be awesome!" Max said happily.

"Here, I have something to give the both of you." Norman told Ash and May and he held out two thin silver cases. "A Badge case to holding your winning Badges."

Ash and May accepted them.

"Thank you, Norman!" Ash said gratefully, "This is great!"

"Pika!"

Norman than held out a small yellow device, "And son, this is for you."

"For me? Really?!" Max took the device from his father, happily.

"What's that?" Ash asked him curiously.

"It's a PokéNav, I have been wanting one!" Max exclaimed.

"With one of those, you will always know where you are." Norman informed them.

"I promise to take good care of it!" Max promised and the young boy began walking off, eager to start the journey.

"I would suggest you travel to Rustboro City in order to get your first Gym Badge." Norman suggested.

"Okay, thank you." Ash replied sincerely as he and May began walking away.

"Bye, mum, bye dad!" May waved to her parents.

"You all take care!" Caroline called out.

"Look out for each other and also make sure you do your best!" Norman yelled.

"We will!" Ash and May yelled back.

Now that Max was tagging along, the trio, plus Pikachu, headed towards Rustboro City for Ash's first Gym battle.


End of Chapter

If you like it then please review it. If you don't like it, then don't read it.


I'm sure Brock, an aspiring Pokémon Breeder, would have told Ash about the egg moves that Pokémon can inherit from their parents off screen sometime. I've also made the Pokédex contain more information that what canon shows, I figured that a trainer would be given huge access to information through their Pokédex.


Next Chapter – 9th of November


Answering the Readers:


C: I am also wondering if you'll allow max to have his own Pokémon, like in X/Y with bonnie.

R: It's a possibility. It would make sense for him to get one early.

Q: At some point in the future, do you plan on having either Ash or May trying to act on their attraction to each other?

A: Yeah, definitely. It will be more May showing affection than Ash as she will understand how she feels towards Ash a lot quicker than he realises his feelings towards her.

Q: Have you ever considered the idea of May asking Ash to trade Pikachu for one of her Pokémon and then have Ash get offended?

A: Not Pikachu. May will recognise the strong bond between Ash and Pikachu soon, so she won't try to come between that. However there is the possibility she might request a trade with one of his other Pokémon.

Q: When you get to the part with Kelly, maybe you could have her be sort of a romantic rival for May. Maybe have them both vying for Ash's attention?

A: I can't really remember the episodes with Kelly. If you know which ones they are, could you let me know? I will need to watch them before answering that question.

Q: You said already that May will be getting more Pokémon here than in the anime, how many do you plan on giving her?

A: Roughly 10, like you suggested.

Q: Are you gonna have Ash catching all of the common Hoenn Pokémon?

A: No, he would then have far too many Pokémon. Plus I wouldn't rule out him catching any Kanto or Johto Pokémon.

Q: Will Jessie still take part in contests?

A: Yes, she will. Also she will start displaying the skill towards it much quicker than she did in canon.

Q: Will ash get a feebas/beldem/bagon/a fairy type/Eevee (evolve it into sylveon)?

A: He will get one of those Pokémon.

Q: Will may get some more Pokémon?

A: Yes she will. Probably between 3 – 6 extra Pokémon.

Q: Will May be less gullible regarding Harley?

A: No, she won't be at first. Although Ash will catch onto Harley's schemes much faster than in canon.

Q: Will Drew compete with Ash over May's affections?

A: Somewhat. This story isn't going to descend into a massive war for May's heart or anything. Ash, May and Drew all have their own dreams that they want to fulfil, so romance is a secondary objective.

Q: Will Ash learn to use aura?

A: Not in this story, no. Perhaps if I do some sequels, he might.

Q: Will Ash have his Treecko, when it evolved into Sceptile, mega evolve?

So is there a chance Mega Evolutions will appear?

Will you add Mega Evolution like they're going to in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and if you are, is Ash going to get some Mega Stones and a Mega Bangle?

A: There will be Mega Evolution, yes. Will Ash use a Sceptile mega evolution... there is a high possibility.

Q: Will Ash get an Eevee?

A: There is a chance that he will get one.

Q: Will Pikachu evolve into Raichu?

A: No, he won't.

Q: Will Team Aqua/Magma still have a role?

A: Definitely. They still have a big role to play.

Q: Any idea of what to do with the third movie maybe?

A: Third movie in the Pokémon movie collection? Or do you mean the third movie in the advanced series?

Q: When Ash sees the contest battles will he be avidly watching? I imagine it be good insight into another battle style as well as provide much inspiration for combination moves like combing quick attack with Iron tail.

A: You're absolutely correct. At first he won't think much of a contest, but he will soon use that as a good way to come up with some new combinations.

Q: Also if Jessie, James, and Meowth went legit does that mean they won't lose Arbok and Weezing but still get their other Pokémon?

A: Yes, they will get their canon Pokémon and they will keep Arbok and Weezing.

Q: Will Ash catch a Larvitar?

A: It's a possibility.

Q: Will there be any OC members of team Magma or Aqua that are higher than grunts?

A: I will use the anime and the upcoming games for their characters. If I there aren't enough shown in the anime and games, then I will create some.

Q: Is any of Pokémon that ash release or left to train such as Primeape and Pidgeot coming back?

A: He has got Pidgeot back. Primeape has a chance to return in this story but I can't make any promises.

Q: Will-Misty-be-in-this-story-an-will-she-be-jealous-of-May?

A: I have no intention to bring Misty in this story; however I may change my mind down the line.

Q: Say, when Ash heads back to Kanto for the Battle Frontier, will he visit his Pidgeot when he gets the chance?

A: He already has Pidgeot back in his team.

Q: Could this kid's farm be a part of the Miltank farm? If so this real boon for Ash he might get a discount on their milk for this kindness.

A: You're on the right track. Ash's kindness will be repaid at some point.

Q: Does the Pokémon world not have porn or anything like that? It seems a bit odd to me that Ash doesn't know what/why he's staring at May's breasts and ass...

A: It does however Ash is just completely ignorant of it all. All his life he has had a single minded goal of becoming a Pokémon Master. He hasn't even considered anything outside of it. Brock will straighten Ash out when he comes back.

Q: Norman isn't as strong as an elite four member and I'm pretty sure that Ash can defeats him with his current team and will this fic have a sequel too?

A: He is rumoured to be almost as strong as an elite four member. I had Ash do a one on one battle with Norman to show his rustiness at using Pidgeot, it doesn't help that he had only used Pidgeot in one battle prior to this.

Q: Can I make suggestion for some Pokémon for Ash?

A: I'm always happy to hear suggestions for Pokémon that Ash should catch. I have had a look at the list you recommended and I can tell you that you are eon the mark of Pokémon that Ash may catch.