Ash was sitting at his temporary station, filling out report data on the recent research they had been on. He had gotten a message from the Cerise Laboratory saying that it would be another week or so until they would be returning to Kanto. "Professor, have you seen my notes from Dewford, I can't seem to find them." Ash said, messing through some folders. Birch was a tad old fashioned wanting to have the initial notes written down, and then put onto a computer when they were filed. Ash had to agree, that it made making side notes and revisions easier, but more effort in the end. "I think they might be with the equipment still. I have my hands full at the moment if you could check yourself." Birch said from a side room, just before a loud crash. "Are you alright Professor?" Ash asked approaching the door. "Just fine, now go along and check for your notes." Professor Birch said, his voice a bit muffled.
Going out back and searching around a bit, Ash finally found his notes. A while after returning to his work station, Ash heard the main doors open, and someone walked in. Professor Birch had run to greet them, so Ash waited a moment before stopping to go see who it was. "Ahh, Ashley I was just talking about you." Professor Birch said as Ash rounded a corner. "This is a trainer who started here a while back and has been making their way through the contest scene. Ash recognized her instantly, but only hoped the same wasn't true the other way around.
"Hi, I'm May." May said extending her hand. "Ashley, it's nice to meet you." Ash said, shaking his old friend's hand. "So May, I'm guessing you are here to get your Munchlax back?" Professor Birch asked. "Yeah, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to start working with him again to prepare for my next contest." May said happily. "Of course, right this way. I was just wrapping up with him when you arrived." Professor Birch said. Ash and May followed him into the back room where May's Munchlax was passed out on the ground. "There you are Munchlax." May said grabbing a pokeball. "Professor, if I could ask a favor of you?" May asked, having returned her Munchlax. "I suppose, how can I help you?" Professor Birch asked.
"Is it okay if I take your assistant out for lunch. It isn't healthy to stay cooped up inside all day." May said pointedly. "I suppose that's alright. Ashley go ahead, and take the afternoon off. You can finish anything else tomorrow." Professor Birch said.
"Let me just grab my bag, and we can go." Ash said running back to his station. "That's a cute bag." May said appearing from around the corner. "PIKA!" Pikachu said running up to May. "And a very friendly Pikachu." May said petting Pikachu. "Sorry about that. He gets excited sometimes." Ash said embarrassed. "It's perfectly fine." May said. "Come on, I know a good place just a little ways off." May said grabbing Ash's hand.
"So Ashley, where are you from?" May asked. They were at a small outside cafe, but apparently was known for its good food. "I'm originally from Alola, but I'm just spending time here while repairs at the lab I actually work for in Kanto is being done." Ash said. "And here is your food ladies." The waiter said putting down their lunches. "Okay now cut the act Ash." May said her tone turned very serious quickly. "Wait, what?" Ash asked shocked. "I had my guesses when I saw you, but Pikachu gave it away. So why are you dressed like this, and why are you a researcher all of a sudden?" May inquired.
"Look the whole outfit thing is a new choice. So is the hair. I made a simple mistake back in Alola, and now I like dressing in more feminine clothes. The hair was a bit of a prank by a friend, and I haven't had the heart to cut it yet." Ash said. "That still doesn't explain the research position." May said pointing a fry at him. "After I became Alolas champion, I don't know, the opportunity just kind of became available and I took a chance." Ash said. "Does your mom know?" May asked. "Yes to both things. She's trying to be supportive of my decisions, but I feel she goes too far at times. How about Brock, or anyone else?" "Brock knowsas does Misty, so do my friends from Alola, and some friends from Kalos. Now can I ask you a question?" Ash responded, finally getting a word in edgewise. "Sure, ask away." May said leaning back. "What happened to Serena?" Ash asked, concern ringing through his voice.
"I'll be honest. I met up with Serena shortly after she arrived here in Hoenn, but we parted ways. I was heading back to Johto, but we stayed in touch for a bit, giving each other advice." May said calmly. "I looked for her wins, she doesn't appear at all from what I've seen so far." Ash said thinking back to what he looked up. "That's because you're only looking for the winners." May said sadly. "Serena, well she never won. She made it close her first contest, but after that, it just stopped. Poor scores on appeals. Dawn and I, we tried to help, but she just kept slipping further and further." May said looking down. "Then what happened?" Ash asked. "I, I don't know Ash. She just stopped all communication one day. Why weren't you this interested in how she was doing while this happened!" May said, starting to get angry. "Because I let her follow her dream, just like EVERYONE ELSE!" Ash screamed the last part, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I let her go, just like everyone." Ash cried. "Ash, I'm sorry, I didn't think about it like that." May said, trying to comfort her friend. Looking back he didn't hesitate to let her go her own way when she wanted to go to Johto originally, and from what she'd heard from Dawn, he was the same with her. Ash made friends and helped them towards their dreams, never asking for them to stay. "Look, maybe Dawn has seen or heard from Serena." May said, trying to get Ash to cheer up.
After lunch the two hugged, promising to stay in better contact with each other. May also promised not to say anything to Max or Dawn until she knew that Ash had. With that the two parted ways, their friendship restrengthened.
