Welcome back to chapter seven. Not much to say from the last one so thanks to all those who reviewed it.


"Why in the world did I ask that?"

After walking upstairs and taking care of her normal nighttime routine, May opened the door to Ash's room trying to figure out her earlier actions. With the moonlight filtering in through the window she figured that it wasn't worth bothering to turn on the lights just long enough to get ready.

"It's not even like I should care if he does or doesn't, right? It doesn't have any effect on me. The only thing I do know is that for some reason I just suddenly felt like I had to know the answer or it wouldn't get out of my head. I just hope Ash doesn't take it the wrong way," she sighed. "Remember, part of the reason that you came here was to help forget that and move on. You just need to have some fun before you head out again."

"So what did you talk to Ash about?"

Jumping slightly at the sound of her voice, May turned around to see Dawn lying on the floor in her sleeping bag with her egg and Piplup sitting next to her. In the time it took for her eyes to adjust to the room's darkness she didn't initially see her current roommate.

"What makes you think that I was talking to Ash about something?" The brunette asked while starting to change into her pajamas.

"No need to be defensive May, unless you have something you want to hide," Dawn added with a sly smile. "But if you want to know, I overheard you saying something to him after I finished brushing my teeth. I couldn't make out what you said but I figured you waited until after everyone was gone for a reason. So I'm just curious."

"Alright if you're that curious about it then I'll tell you. I was asking him a couple more questions about the Sinnoh League," the brunette told the other coordinator as plainly as possible.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Folding her clothes and setting them aside, May turned around with Eevee in her arms to finally notice something.

"Dawn, if you were here first why didn't you grab the bed? Shouldn't it be more comfortable?"

"Nope, I'm good. I'll just take the spare room once Brock leaves tomorrow, so it makes more sense that you can keep the same bed while we're here."

Not entirely believing the reason that the other girl gave, May still couldn't see anything wrong with it. Walking over she pulled back the light blue colored covers and set Eevee down next to the pillow before getting in the bed herself. The small Pokémon paced around a few times before finding the best spot and curled up in a little ball. Before she fell asleep though she wondered about her reaction to the blue haired devil's 'joke'.

Even if it took a while, Eevee understood now that it really wasn't his. But she surprised herself at the feelings she felt at the idea that it was his egg. Jealousy wasn't something too surprising, but the feeling of being betrayed was one that hit a little harder. Especially considering that they weren't even mates, though she had to admit that she didn't like the idea that he was with someone besides her. Like her trainer to his trainer, she had always looked up to him as a type of mentor or role model, and ever since she first thought about it the Normal-Type had always envisioned that he was her ideal mate; powerful, brave, caring, and protective. Although now that they were back together she couldn't help but feel a little shy around him now that she was old enough, particularly with the egg idea now brought up. The discomfort that also came with figuring out if he would deem her worthy enough of that spot next to him was also starting to weigh on her in addition to that shyness.

Sighing lightly as she thought about it, she could slowly start to smell his faint scent from the spot she was on and it take too long until she figured that where she lying was probably the same spot he slept in while at home. Feeling a slight sense of safety and comfort from the fact, she gave one last yawn and was soon asleep.

Lying back, May stared at the ceiling wondering what was going to happen in the coming days and weeks.

"Hey May, mind if I ask you a question?"

"Sure, what do you want to know?"

Looking down at Dawn, May could see the blunette rolled over on her side staring up at her.

"From what I can tell you've done real well in the Grand Festivals so far right?"

"Um, yeah. For the most part at least."

"For the most part?" Not hearing anything from the girl, Dawn decided to just continue. "Think you could give me a few tips while we're here? While I did pretty well for my first time in a Grand Festival a couple weeks ago I still have a lot more to learn, so I was hoping to get some ideas from you."

"Sure Dawn," May told her. "I'm not sure how much help I can be but I'll help where I can."

"Thanks." Pausing momentarily, Dawn spoke up once more. "Hey May?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think love is?"

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?" May asked, wondering how the topic went from contests to love that fast.

"I was just thinking that we could have a little girl talk, that's all. You can ask me the same questions after if you want, I'm just curious and want to compare."

"Love huh?" Looking back up at the ceiling, May thought about it for a moment. "That's a hard one. I'm not sure exactly what it feels like, but someone once told me of a saying that said along the lines that the boy you love holds your second heart. So that's what I've always thought of it as, a person that feels so good to be around that it feels as though they complete you. And until you find that certain someone you feel as though you're only one half of the whole."

"That's an interesting way of looking at it."

"How about you Dawn?"

"Well, for one I have to say that I kind of like your definition. I've always thought of it as having someone that will always be there for you, through thick and thin. To give that boost of confidence when you need it the most, to give you endless compliments about how you look, protect you from any and all dangers or troubles without even a second thought, and someone who will always be there when you feel like crying." Even if she was doing this more for the sake of another, Dawn could feel a warm sensation come over her as she thought about what it would be like to actually have someone like that with her. Although she said some of that focusing directly on Ash, the blunette had to shake the thoughts of her having him like that for herself out of her head. "So, on that note, do you have a boy you like?"

"What?"

Sitting up in bed, the brunette looked straight down at the other coordinator.

"It's just a question," Dawn defended herself. Although unbeknownst to May she was rather relieved that unlike Ash, May knew exactly what she meant at that question and not the dense answer 'of course, they're my friend'. But then again from her previous question only someone like Ash wouldn't have connected those dots. "Or does that mean you do like somebody?"

"Well nobody in particular."

Dropping back down onto the bed, May tried to get out of Dawn's view. She was fidgeting slightly but she didn't know exactly why. She was never embarrassed to talk about other people's love or tease Ash about it, but whenever it came to herself it was a different story.

"So there is one," Dawn said, as if that's what May had answered.

"I never said that! There just aren't too many boys that I can spend enough time around to develop those kinds of feelings for."

"And how many would you think would fall under that category? Ignoring Brock, for obvious reasons, I think you and Ash would be close enough to fit those terms."

"Why is she bringing all of this up now of all times," May complained to herself. "I'm still not even sure why I felt I needed to know why Ash had a girlfriend and now I get these questions thrown at me."

"Alright fine," she conceded, knowing that her friend would probably only continue to make implications until she answered the question. "But let me make one thing clear, considering what you seem to be implying, I am not in love with Ash."

"Oh I've heard that line before," Dawn silently snickered.

"Besides Ash, there's probably only three or four. Although two of them I don't think would make very good boyfriend material. Sometimes it has to do with their personality, well one of those two it's definitely his personality, I sometimes can forget he's even a guy." Shuttering at the thought of being Harley's girlfriend, May tried to put that thought as far back in her mind as it could go. "But a good part has to be that they are rivals of mine that I go up against in contests all the time. And I just see more problems than are needed if a couple is consistently going up against each other like that. Interestingly enough they both seem so to be associated with the color green…"

"Well at least there isn't much competition for Ash on that side," Dawn thought as she heard May's answer. But it was just then that she got an interesting idea. "Hmm, now that's good. I could actually use that damn newspaper to my advantage as a bit of leverage. I'm not sure if it will work but if I'm going to use it I'll have to make sure that I don't go overboard or it could backfire. I don't want May thinking that Ash is already taken."

"So who are the boys then?"

"Do I really have to answer that?" May couldn't help but whine.

"Not really, but I'll keep asking it until you tell me."

Groaning, May decided it was just easier to tell her and get it over with. It's not as though Dawn could do anything with them anyways, they were all just friends.

"Alright, the four that come to mind first would be Ash of course, a childhood friend who I haven't seen in years named Brendan, and two of my rivals that I mentioned earlier, Drew and Harley. Okay so now that I've revealed that, I'm going to have to take you up on your earlier offer," May said after spilling her secrets. "So you have any boys that you like?"

"Just like I was hoping would happen," Dawn thought.

"I'm kind of in the same boat as you, I wouldn't say that I have anybody close enough to say that I would definitely want them as a boyfriend but it would be interesting to learn more about them and see if I actually do like them like that. I have about three myself; while I only saw him a few times in Sinnoh, I have to say that I've taken a slight liking to someone who is apparently one of Ash's old friends and rivals, Gary Oak, interestingly enough another one is a rival of Ash's, Paul, and finally like you Ash is probably the closest I could consider to say that I like in that way."

"I never said that I like Ash like that!"

May closed her mouth quickly after realizing what she said, but even still she could feel her heart beat quicken for some reason.

"And neither did I," Dawn said to her with another sly smile. "I just more-or-less said that he would be interesting to consider for a boyfriend. He's kind, hardworking, and kinda cute. Not bad traits to start off with when considering a boyfriend don't 'cha think?"

"Yeah…" May was still self-conscious by her outburst, so saying much more than that seemed like it would only make the situation worse.

"Well as much as I want to continue, I think I'm going to sleep," the blunette told her while faking a yawn.

"Wait, you want to stop right there?"

"We can talk about it more tomorrow if you want, but right now I think sleep will be better."

Dawn was perfectly content to end on that note, and she was hoping that it could hit twofold. If things worked correctly, she could play both sides and hopefully make everything even easier.

"My little puppet show has only just begun," she thought happily. "And now that I think of it, only tweaking one string won't be enough. The only question now is how long will it take for the puppets start moving on their own?"

Sure enough, May's mind was thinking exactly like Dawn had predicted. With that topic brought up in that way, virtually no teenage girl could keep herself from thinking about it. The big problem for May though was that it brought up the image of the newspaper that Johanna showed them along with the older woman openly telling Dawn to try to go for Ash, and it was at that time she felt her heart beat faster again, but this time a very slight pain could be felt along with it.

"Why did that suddenly come back to me? I believe Ash when he says that Dawn isn't his girlfriend, but I wonder if she is actually thinking about it." The brunette wondered as she rolled over to her side. Looking over at Eevee sleeping soundly next to her, May felt a smile come to her face. Reaching out to lightly pet the sleeping Pokémon she could hear a soft coo as the Normal-Type unconsciously leaned up into her hand. "Oh well, it's not that big of a deal."

Giving off a yawn of her own, the coordinator relaxed into the pillow and soft bed. But as she did a faint smell came to her nose. It wasn't strong enough for her to identify it but somehow it relaxed her and soon she was in a deep sleep.


The next morning everyone was waking to the smell of breakfast in the air. Being the one who spent the night on the couch, Ash was the first one to smell it and likewise was the first one out of bed. Followed closely by May and Dawn with Brock taking his time.

"I had almost forgotten how much I missed seeing these meals," Ash commented as he saw the breakfast his mom had made.

While it didn't compare to last night's meal, it was still a good deal of food seeing as how Delia prepared it for four growing children and a few Pokémon.

"I'll take that as the first compliment of the day dear," Delia said as she placed a large plate of scrambled eggs on the table.

"Thank you Mrs. Ketchum," the other kids added in.

The meal was rather uneventful as the impromptu family ate and talked. The only bit of uneasiness was between Pikachu and Eevee. Although the discomfort didn't seem as bad to Pikachu as it did the day before. She was acting more like right before everyone went upstairs for the night. Except that every time they would make eye contact, Eevee would look away and try to focus elsewhere. Even still, the Electric-Type was thoroughly confused by her actions. Was she still mad at him? Or was it something else?

"Thanks again Mom."

Getting up, Ash was the first one done, but wearing only his current sleeping attire of gym shorts and a t-shirt, he knew he needed a shower and a change of clothes to start off the day better.

Walking into the bathroom with Pikachu still on his shoulder, Ash began preparing for his shower.

"So who do you think we should choose for those battles Pikachu? This is the Elite Four and Cynthia we're talking about so while I would like to bring all of them we have to be careful and choose carefully. And even if we need to go up against Paul first, if we're ready for the Elite Four we should be ready for him."

"Pikachu."

"Don't worry, you're coming by default." Stepping into the shower, Ash continued. "We've been through everything together so there's no way I would leave you out of the biggest point in our lives so far. But we still need another five Pokémon to go with us. Going from a purely power standpoint; Charizard, Sceptile, Torterra, Infernape, and Staraptor would be solid choices considering they are not only fully evolved but have evolved twice. Snorlax, Donphan, Heracross, and Tauros are close behind and, besides a couple of the ones I just mentioned, are by far my best physical powerhouses. Glalie, Bulbasaur, Quilava, Noctowl, Buizel, Swellow, Torkoal, Corphish, and Bayleef would be nice to have with their special attacks and maneuverability, but although I don't like saying it, they might have a little harder time keeping up with some of my other more evolved Pokémon. The others either don't have enough experience battling or are outshined by some of my more powerful Pokémon." Pausing momentarily, Ash couldn't help but ask something. "Hey Pikachu, do you think it's bad of me to sort my Pokémon like that?"

"Pi?"

"I mean by them being stronger or weaker than another."

"Pikachu pika pika chu."

"I know, but I still hate to think about it. But when it comes to battles like these I almost have to look at it like in this fashion. I mean, for example, I love Torkoal just as much as any of my other Pokémon and he tries his hardest when he battles, but when going up against an Elite Four class trainer that isn't enough. Charizard and Infernape are both Fire-Types as well but they have vast amounts of more experience, and while his defense is impressive he can't even come close to their speed or power."

"Pika pika Pikapi."

"Yeah I know, I have a hard decision on my hands. I almost don't want to be in my shoes either. And it isn't one that I'm looking forward to."

Turning off the water and walking out with a towel on, Pikachu could see Ash was really starting to worry about his decision.

"I guess the only good thing that is coming off of this is that I can keep my mind off of the issue of May and myself. Speaking of which, has Eevee forgiven you yet? I know it wasn't your fault but she didn't seem happy at all last night when Dawn said that."

"Pikachu."

"You don't know? Shouldn't you be able to tell? Even I know when a girl is mad at me."

The Mouse Pokémon proceeded to try and explain what he could to his partner.

"Well I don't know that to tell you Buddy. She doesn't sound as angry as last night but I don't really know enough to see why she is still avoiding you. Hopefully it won't last too long; you two were always great friends and were always together while we were still traveling together."

Getting dressed and finishing the last of his morning routine, Ash headed back downstairs to find his friends waiting for him in the living room.

"Guessing you guys were waiting for me?" He asked as he walked in.

"Yep, though we haven't been waiting too long," May told the trainer while standing up with Eevee in her arms.

"I've always wanted to meet Professor Oak in person, and getting to see the lab is only icing on the cake!" Dawn squealed with delight.

"Though you said that you are going back home, right Brock?" Ash asked his older companion.

"Yeah, I can hopefully get most of the way there by the end of today, so by tomorrow morning I can reach the house. That new road they built running north from Pallet Town will make my trip not only nice and easy but quick too."

Walking outside the four travelers walked together long enough until they reached the main road leading north out of Pallet.

"Guess this is goodbye already Brock," May said to him.

"It's been great traveling with you," Dawn added in. "I hope we bump into each other again in the future."

"And I don't think it'll be too long 'til I see you again at some point," Ash joked a bit.

"It's been great being with you guys," the old Gym Leader told them all. "After a few weeks I should be able take care of the things back home and maybe I'll join up with everyone again."

Quickly pulling Ash aside, he added one last thing in whispers.

"And if you need any more help with your efforts with May, don't be afraid to call me at any time."

Before Ash could even answer him, Brock was being pulled away by the ear.

"I have a good idea as to what you're talking about, and I'll say it again," Dawn said while lecturing him. "I'm not letting you corrupt his way of thinking."

Nervously laughing at the antics of his two friends, Ash just stayed silent.

"What did Dawn mean by 'corrupting your way of thinking' Ash?" May asked as the blunette dragged their friend away.

"I have no clue May," he lied, even if he actually hoped it was true.

"Well I'm off then," Brock finally said after Dawn released him, though he was still rubbing his ear which was bright red. "See ya guys later."

After their friend was nearly out of sight, the group started to make their way to the Oak Lab with Ash leading the way. It didn't take long to reach the ranch due to the relatively small size of Pallet Town, but with the ranch itself being several times the size of the town you were never far from it no matter where you were.

As they started up the stairs to the main house, Ash seemed to be very alert and his eyes never stopped looking around.

"What's the matter Ash?" Dawn finally asked, curious at his abnormal actions.

"Let's just say I'm preparing for the inevitable," he told her with a nervous laugh.

When they finally got to the door, the blunette was starting to get butterflies in her stomach knowing that just behind that door was the same person whose Pokémon poems she diligently listened to everyday. It was also because of this that she was very surprised to see Ash just open the door and walk right in.

"Professor, are you here?" He called out.

"Ash! Shouldn't you have knocked?" Dawn hissed at him.

"Why? It's not like he would have heard it anyways."

Even if Dawn was tentative about entering, she followed her two friends. Searching around the lab they found nothing but various pieces of equipment whose purpose they had no clue and countless Pokéballs.

"He's not in here; that means…" Ash gulped. "He's outside tending to the Pokémon."

"And what does that have to do with anything?" The blunette asked.

Much to her annoyance, she didn't get an answer, but Dawn did notice that as Ash opened the back door of the lab Pikachu jumped off his shoulder and moments later took the shoulder opposite to Eevee.

Though the Normal-Type felt a little timid about his proximity with the egg implications still in her head from last night, she normally would have jumped off and went to Ash's shoulder to get rid of that odd feeling and not have to deal with it. But she didn't even budge and endured it for now. She'd heard stories about what usually happens when Ash gets back home and she ignored her shyness as to not have to participate in it.

Ash took a few steps outside and to his relief nothing happened.

"Professor! Are you here? Ash wants to talk to you!"

Turning around quickly, he saw that it was May who called that out.

"Just speeding things up a bit," she told him with an innocent smile along with a few steps back. Tugging on Dawn's shirt, she pulled the other coordinator back along with her.

"Huh? Why are we…?"

"You'll see."

Almost as if on cue, a deep rumbling was slowly starting to shake the ground beneath their feet.

"Oh no," Ash groaned.

Looking past one of the hills, a cloud of smoke was starting to rise up getting larger by the second.

"What the heck is that?" Dawn wondered aloud.

It didn't take long for her to get an answer. As it got closer the cloud started to give way to multiple rampaging Bull Pokémon.

"Alright everyone, please calm down," Ash tried to reason with his Tauros. "You don't need to do this again."

Unfortunately for the poor trainer, they were too happy to see him that they weren't even listening. Before Ash could even turn to run they already overtook him, and when the dust settled he was nowhere to be found.

"What the heck were those things?" Dawn asked while watching the retreating Normal-Types.

"Ash's Pokémon," May told her. "Or his Tauros at least. And if I remember correctly you should probably be seeing a Grass-Type pretty soon, ah there she is."

Again as if on cue, a light green four-legged Pokémon with a leaf on its head sped by them, following the trail of the Tauros.

"Bay bay bay!"

"And that would be his Bayleef," the brunette continued while sitting down on the grass. "You might as well take a seat; it'll be a little while before she brings him back."

"Okay…"

Sure enough about ten minutes later, Bayleef came back into view carrying Ash. But this time instead of running after the Tauros she was running from Ash's other Pokémon.

"Hey Bayleef!" May called out. "Just bring him over here!"

Noticing the other two humans, Bayleef decided to do just that, setting her trainer down next to them.

"Why does this always happen to me?" Ash complained as Bayleef rubbed up against his hand.

"It's not over yet Ash," May pointed out.

"Oh no, not him!"

Interestingly enough the first of Ash's Pokémon following Bayleef was an amorphous mass of purple sludge.

"Muk!" The Pokémon called out as he started to literally smother his trainer with affection.

"Ugg, what kind of Pokémon is that?" Dawn gagged. "Wait, I think I remember seeing that before."

"Just be glad he doesn't smell anymore," Ash struggled to get out as he tried to push the Sludge Pokémon off of him. "Alright Muk I'm happy to see you too, now can you please get off?"

Finally getting off his trainer, Muk turned to the new humans there.

"Muk!"

Earning a sudden scream from the two girls, they were quick to their feet to try and avoid the overly friendly Pokémon.

Sighing as the Poison-Type seemed to forget about him, Ash felt something small and fuzzy make its way up to his shoulder. And when it brushed up against his cheek he knew it wasn't Pikachu either.

"Hey Eevee, back on my shoulder again?" He asked her with a quick scratch under the chin.

"Vee!"

As the first of the other Pokémon started to arrive, Bayleef started to feel something that she hadn't felt in a long time start to resurface, jealousy. She had gotten over the fact that Pikachu was real close to Ash and always traveled on his shoulder, but seeing this new Pokémon doing it as well just didn't sit right with her, especially with it being female and in her old spot.

"Bay!"

With a sudden groan, Ash felt the full weight of his Grass-Type suddenly hit his chest as she tackled him down to the ground and started to rub up against him as well.

Barely able to stay on, Eevee looked at Bayleef with a confused look on her face, wondering at first what the other Pokémon was thinking. Though watching her for a few moments Eevee figured it out, grinning slightly she decided to just poke a little fun at the newcomer.

"Vui," she said in the cutest voice she could muster.

Rubbing slowly but firmly up against Ash's cheek, the small fox gave off content purring noises as she moved down to his neck.

With Bayleef sitting right on top of Ash, it was almost impossible not to miss it. And the red tinge she was getting was proof of that.

"Eevee you aren't helping the situation," Ash pleaded with the Pokémon.

"Vee?"

Looking up at him, she decided to take it one step further before stopping. Rubbing up against his cheek once more, she gave the trainer a quick lick before cuddling back in, almost as if that was her spot where she belonged.

For Bayleef that was the last straw, but before she could do anything Ash intervened.

"Bayleef just get off me so I can explain!"

The tone of his voice wasn't desperation or pleading, it was the one he gave her in battles, and although she wasn't happy with what was going on she reluctantly obeyed.

"Thank you."

Sitting up on the grass, Ash finally was able to take a deep breath again.

"Bayleef it's not what it looks like," he told the Grass-Type. "Eevee isn't even my Pokémon, she's May's. And while I admit she does sit on my shoulder on occasion, she's also very mischievous at times. Including right now…"

Looking down at the ball of fur on his shoulder, she just looked back at him with an innocent "vee" escaping her lips. While she originally did it purely for the entertainment value, Eevee couldn't deny to herself that she did enjoy it. He was after all the only human she trusted anywhere close to the level of May.

Sighing, he looked back at Bayleef.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't replace you that easily," he told her while petting her.

"Bay."

Rubbing back up against his hand, she accepted his explanation. Though the giggling Normal-Type wasn't helping her decision at that moment.

"Now I just wonder where May and Dawn ran off to?" He wondered aloud as the last of his Pokémon gathered around him. Hearing gasping breaths from behind him, Ash turned around to see the two girls along with Piplup and Pikachu slowly walking up to him.

"I think we finally lost it," Dawn panted as she collapsed down next to Ash.

"And here I thought I was ready for everything this time," May added in while likewise dropping down on the other side of Ash with Pikachu still clinging to her shoulder. "Ash, you do realize that your Muk is a little too friendly, right?"

"All too well, although Professor Oak would know even more than me." Looking back at the Pokémon gathered around him, Ash got to his feet and in a loud voice called out to them all. "I'm home guys, and it's great to see you all!"

The sounds of many different overjoyed Pokémon filled the air as they all crowded around their trainer in pure delight at seeing him again, many of them trying to push their way in to nuzzle against him.

"Yeah I missed you guys too," he got out while laughing along with his Pokémon.

"They really love him don't they?" Dawn asked May while watching the trainer.

"Mm-hmm," the brunette agreed. "He definitely one of a kind and they know that better than anybody."

"Alright everyone, time to meet my new Pokémon," Ash said after a while. "Come on out!"

Throwing his Pokéballs into the air, the multiple flashes of light transformed into the various Pokémon of his Sinnoh team. An impressive array of Pokémon appeared behind him, ranging from the massive Torterra who dwarfed every other Pokémon there, to the slightly cocky but lanky Infernape, and all the way down to the hyper active Gible.

"Guys, these are my other Pokémon that I caught before coming to Sinnoh. To everyone else, this is my Sinnoh team."

Conversations arose as they all started to meet and greet, and while that was going on Ash slipped away with his two human companions to try and escape the mayhem.

"As much as I love seeing them I'm never a fan of their greeting," he finally said as they came to the edge of a forest. Sighing, but with a smile on his face, Ash leaned back and sat down with his back up against a tree, still within view of his Pokémon.

"You really have a lot of them," Dawn commented while sitting near another tree and putting Piplup on her lap. May wasn't far behind as laid down in the grass with Pikachu resting on the top of her stomach.

"And that's not even all of them; there was actually a few missing. Snorlax for one is probably off sleeping somewhere and it would take more than that yelling to wake him up."

As he said that, Ash could feel the tree shake a little, as if something was moving up in the branches.

"At least you aren't one for that kind of greeting," he said to seemingly nobody. "Aren't you going to join everyone in greeting my new Pokémon, Sceptile?"

Looking up, Dawn saw a large gecko looking Pokémon sitting on a thick branch just above Ash. The funniest thing about the new creature was that it held a small twig in its mouth. He was staring off towards the new arrivals, eyeing every one of them. Though his focus seemed to linger on the massive Torterra longer than the rest.

"Tile," it grunted while looking away and closing his eyes.

"Yeah I know you're not one for situations like that."

"So that's yours as well I assume?" Dawn asked, looking in awe at the obviously agile and calm Pokémon.

"Yep, and he's one of my strongest too." Seeing Pikachu's ears twitch and his head turn back towards the forest, Ash could guess at who the new visitor was. "And this one was my third capture ever; along with Pikachu he is the last Pokémon that I still have on hand who were on my original team of six."

Looking back towards Ash, Dawn just saw a small quadruped Pokémon with a plant bulb on its back move up and rub up against Ash before lying down next to him.

"His name is Bulbasaur," Ash told her while starting to pet the Grass-Type. "And for the first time in over a year virtually everyone is back together." Looking up towards the blue sky, Ash started to feel quite relaxed.

"Bulba saur," the small Pokémon said from next to him.

"Pika pika pikachu, Pikapi," Pikachu translated.

"Thanks Bulbasaur, and now with everyone here, it finally does feel like home."


And Dawn's plan has expanded along with answering a few questions that people probably had. Hope you enjoyed the read, reviews are always welcome and the next chapter will be up as usual.