Months flew by for Ash as he stayed with May and her family. He spent the vast majority of his time with May, because for some reason he felt safest with her. So the two of them grew closer and closer. They always slept side-by-side in May's bed, played games together, and confided secrets in each other. They weren't to the point of bridging the language gap yet, but both would consider the other one of their best friends. If not their bestest friend. It hurt Ash when he was forced to watch the Johto League Silver Conference go on without him on TV, but confiding in May as best he could helped him get through it. And before he knew it, it was the morning of May 1st, which he had learned was May's 10th birthday. Ash was the first to wake up that morning. He yawned and looked over at May. She was still fast asleep and her arm was around him as she slept. He smiled and gently nudged her face with his paw.

"Wakey wakey..."

"Mmm..." May mumbled sleepily. She slowly opened her eyes and allowed them to drift towards him. "What is it...?"

"Pika!" he smiled.

"Good morning..." she smiled back, sitting up.

"Pika! Pika!" Ash congratulated her. He jumped into her lap and began licking her cheek, causing her to giggle.

"Come on! You know that tickles!" she laughed.

"Pika." He chuckled. Then, he nudged her a little, eager to go on a journey again.

"Alright Alright." May replied. She set him aside and hopped out of bed, taking a minute to stretch. With a smile, Ash jumped back into her arms. She caught him and hugged him, which he reciprocated. She looked down at him and stroked the fur on his head. "How are you this morning?"

"Pika!" he responded, cuddling against her hand.

"I'm glad. Let me just take a shower and I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast." She explained.

"Pika." He nodded. He hopped down out of her arms and she headed to the bathroom with some fresh clothes. Ash watched her go and tilted his head a bit. "Does she even realize..?" he wondered, as May had made no mention of her birthday yet. He shrugged a little and headed down the stairs and into the kitchen. Caroline was already up and about making breakfast and Ash could hear Norman working with his Pokemon out back in the greenhouse. Ash hopped onto the table and waved at Caroline. "Pika!"

"Good morning Pikachu." She greeted.

"Chu!"

"Is May on her way down?"

"ChuPika, Pikachu!"

"I sure hope so. Her special birthday breakfast is almost ready." Caroline commented, putting the finishing touches on the food.

"Pika." Ash nodded, but then his stomach growled at the smell of the freshly cooked breakfast.

"Don't worry." She smiled. "I didn't forget about you." She set a bowl of fresh berries in front of him.

"This is still a little degrading..." he complained. But he still smiled and began eating the berries. Within a few minutes, May walked into the kitchen.

"ChuPika!" he smiled brightly at her. May smiled back and sat beside him and scratched behind his ear.

"Pi..." he purred, leaning into her hand. "That's the spot..."

"Like that?" she chuckled. Ash simply cooed in response. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Happy birthday sweetheart." Caroline said, walking over to them with a stack of pancakes with whipped cream.

"Oh! That's right!" May gasped, completely stunned she had forgotten. "Thanks, Mom."

"Pikachu!" Ash congratulated her again.

"Thank you too Pikachu." She giggled.

"Enjoy the breakfast sweetheart. I have to go feed the rest of the Pokémons so I'll be back in a few." She informed them. She grabbed a few more bowls of berried and walked out to the greenhouse. May and Ash began eating their respective breakfasts quietly, just enjoying each other's company. After a few minutes, May looked at Ash.

"Hey Pikachu?" she asked. Ash lifted his head from his food and looked at her curiously. "Listen, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Pika?"

"I...I wanted to formally ask you if you wanted to come with me on my journey...I still don't know what I want to do or where I'll end up...and I don't want to assume you're going to come if you'd be more comfortable staying here or going back to your own home." She explained. Ash smiled at her. While he did want to find a way to turn back into a human and let his friends know he was ok, he knew the chances of finding those answers were much better if he went with her than trying to find them on his own. And quite frankly, he really enjoyed her company.

"Like you ever had to ask..." he walked over to her and nuzzled her nose with his own.

"Can I take that as...you want to come?" she asked again, smiling shyly. He nodded and licked her cheek. She hugged him with a big smile on her face. "Thank you...I promise to be the best partner to you I can be."

"I want May to have the best journey I can give...so I promise too." He smiled. Caroline walked back into the kitchen and smiled at the two of them.

"So what time are you two heading out?" she questioned.

"Well...I think maybe about an hour or two after breakfast? Gives me time to pack." She explained, glancing at Ash. "Does that work for you?"

"Pi." He nodded.

"Sounds like a deal." She smiled. Caroline nodded in approval and began putting together a breakfast for the rest of the family. May took the opportunity and passed Ash one of her pancakes with a wink. He blushed, but accepted her offer and ate the pancake excitedly. Watching him with a smile, May finished off her breakfast as well. Ash excitedly licked the excess whipped cream off his lips and May giggled at how cute he looked. Ash looked back at her and blushed as he watched her laugh. Something about the way she just absolutely glowed when she was happy seemed to just have him entranced.

"What is this strange feeling..?" he wondered.

"Thanks, Mom. It was fantastic." She thanked her mom.

"You're welcome, honey." Caroline replied. Ash climbed onto May's shoulder and they headed upstairs to pack up for the trip, both pretty eager by now. Once back in her room, May pulled out a yellow fanny pack and looked around her room.

"Alright let's see...what all do I need...?" she wondered aloud. Ash looked around the room as well, hoping to use his experience to make it a bit easier.

"Don't want to repeat our mistakes..." he reminded himself. May snapped her fingers and took a small medicine kit out of her desk.

"That's right. Dad got me this."

"Pika!" Ash called to her, pointing to a water bottle.

"Good call." She nodded before grabbing it. Ash began looking around for a map as May packed up some extra clothes and pajamas. He walked on all fours back over to her with her Pokenav in his mouth.

"Ikahu!" he tried to say. She smiled at him and accepted the Pokenav.

"Thanks." He smiled in return and took another look around, trying to find anything that he and his friends typically forgot on their travels.

"Hmm...Snacks would be smart..." he remembered.

"Anything else you can think of?" she asked. He opened and then pointed to his mouth. "Oh! Good idea."

"Pika!" he grinned. The two headed downstairs and packed up some nonperishable food items from the pantry.

"Anything else?" she asked. Ash took a moment to try and think of anything else they might need.

"Well...Aside from a sleeping bag and tent, I think she's pretty prepared." He concluded. He looked up at her and pointed to the garage.

"Right." She agreed. "A sleeping bag and my bike and we're ready."

"Pikachu." He smiled. She headed to the garage and pulled out her bike and a sleeping bag.

"Alright." She started, taking a deep breath. "I think that's everything." Ash couldn't help but smile at her as the rest of her family came outside.

"Well May, you're all set." Norman smiled. "No matter what, you'll make us proud."

"I'll do my best." She assured him. She hugged him and then gave one to her Mom and Max. "Bye, you guys."

"We love you May." Caroline reminded her.

"I love you guys too." She replied, releasing them from the hug.

"With Pikachu with you, I'm sure you're gonna be fine." Norman smiled. "You'll look after her won't you Pikachu?"

"Pika!" he grinned, jumping onto May's head.

"Alright. Bye everyone!" she got onto her bike and started pedaling away towards Littleroot Town, waving to her family until they were out of sight. Ash held onto her tightly as they road along.

"Never gone this fast before…!"

"Hey, Pikachu?"

"Pika?"

"When Professor Birch gives me my Pokeballs, do you want to use one of them?" May asked.

"Wow...What a twist..." he thought.

"It's up to you. We've never needed one before but if you'd like one to make things official that's ok too." She explained. Her question made him think hard. Since he wasn't a real Pokemon, he wondered what being caught by one would do to him, especially once he found a way to turn back. And the idea of being converted into pure energy and stored in a ball didn't seem all that appealing to him.

"I can see why Pikachu dislikes them..." he remarked. But the comment brought back memories of his best friend. "Pikachu..." May glanced up at him, noticing that he had gone quiet since asking her question. "I hope he's okay...Team Rocket is probably still perusing him..."

"Pikachu?"

"And Mom...oh Mom..."

"Pikachu?" she asked a bit louder. Ash snapped out of his thoughts and looked down sadly.

"Pika..." he responded quietly.

"Are you ok?" she questioned. After a moment's hesitation, he shook his head. May hit the breaks on her bike and pulled off the main path. She gently helped him down off her head and held him in her arms. "What's wrong?" Ash took a deep breath and held out his hat towards her, weakly trying to explain to her again.

"Your hat?" she wondered.

"Pikachu. PikaPi Pika Pikachu Pi..." he tried to explain, but he stopped short, looking down sadly. "Oh, it's hopeless. She can't understand me anyway...Why am I trying..?" Sensing his distress, May pulled him into a hug, surprising him. "Pika..?"

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry I don't understand what you're saying...you have no idea how badly I want to..." she apologized.

"Pika..." he took a deep breath and nuzzled up to her, not wanting to spoil her very first journey right out of the gate.

"I can see how upset you are...and I'm so sorry..." she informed him. "I want to understand...I want to help...you're the closest friend I've ever had...and it hurts me that I can't help you..."

"May...You help more than you know..." he quietly assured her, nuzzling his head under her chin. "Pi Pi Pi..."

"I'm sorry...I'm so so sorry…" she sniffled. Her sniffle caught his attention and he looked into her face.

"May...Please don't...It's your birthday...Please don't-"

"I want to make you happy...because you've made me so happy…" she said, tearing up.

"May..." he said sadly, his ears drooping down. He hadn't meant to let his emotions bring her down as well. He remembered all the times Pikachu had been there for him and vice versa. He owed her the same comfort, and to not let his own emotions affect her. Ash shifted a little in her arms and kissed her on the nose. May's eyes widened and looked at him in surprise. "ChuPika..." he reminded her, nuzzling her cheek.

"Pikachu...?" he licked her cheek affectionately. With a small smile, she wiped the tears off her cheeks. "Thanks for trying to cheer me up. I'm sorry I've let you down..." He simply shook his head and patted her cheek.

"Pikachu!" he grinned.

"I haven't...?" she asked.

"Pi pika!" he said. He then pointed to her heart and smiled. "Pika. Pi Pikachu Pi Pika. Pikachu."

"My heart...?" she wondered. He nodded and took one of her fingers in his tiny paws. She looked into his eyes and he looked back into hers. Maybe it was because Pokemon matured faster than people, or maybe it was something else entirely. But everything just seemed to come into complete and perfect focus for him.

"I love you May..."

"Pikachu..." she whispered. She didn't fully know the realization he just had, but she understood enough to gently squeeze his paw appreciatively. "Thank you...thank you for believing in me..."

"Pikachu!" he smiled. The two shared a well-earned hug and May finally gave a real smile again.

"I won't doubt myself anymore...and someday I will understand...I promise." She nodded. Ash smiled back, appreciative of her dedication to him, and then pointed to the road. "You're right. Let's keep going." He happily climbed back onto her head and she started riding down the path again. "Littleroot Town isn't much further."

"There! Can you see it over the hill?" she asked.

"Pika!" he nodded. May continued riding along up the hill but then noticed something move out of the corner of her eye. She looked over and came face to face with a little grey Pokemon floating only inches from her face.

"Duskull!" he yelled. She let out a scream of fear and started to panic. Ash managed to quickly use Thundershock to try and ward the Pokemon off. He simply snicked and floated away from May. But by that point, her bike had already gone over the top of the hill and started going down the hill so fast she'd lost control. Ash quickly looked ahead and saw that she was headed right for a tree. He jumped down off her head and yanked the bike's handlebar to the side, turning the bike and narrowly avoiding the tree.

"Eek!" May screamed. She slammed on the breaks as hard as she could. The bike came to a screeching halt and it sent Ash flying off. He hurtled through the air a ways and crashed into a tree, crying out in pain.

"PIKACHU!" May screamed. She leapt off her bike and ran to him. He groaned and rubbed his head, clearly in pain and dizzy, but not seriously injured thanks to his Pokemon endurance.

"I...miss...helmets…" May knelt down and picked him up in her arms.

"Are you ok?!" she asked. He looked up at her, still a little dizzy.

"Pretty blurry girl..." he smiled.

"Pikachu please answer me! Are you ok?!" she asked again. Ash shook off the fog and smiled up at her.

"Pi pika." He said, giving her a thumbs up.

"I was so scared you were hurt..." she sighed in relief. He happily nuzzled her cheek and she giggled. "Well...I guess that's one way to make an entrance." She chuckled. Ash laughed and scratched his head with an embarrassed blush. May held him close and walked back over to her bike. She picked it up and decided to walk it towards the Lab this time.

Once they arrived at the Lab, May knocked on the front door and a larger man with dark brown hair and a bead of matching color answered the door. He wore a lab coat just like Professor Oak, but Ash was surprised by his choice of a blue t-shirt, shorts, and sandals rather than the more professional look Professor Oak had.

"Ah, May. We were waiting for you." The professor greeted the young girl.

"Sorry for being late. Got a bit off track." She apologized.

"Not at all. C'mon in." he replied, opening the door for her. May smiled appreciatively and walked in. Sitting on her head, Ash looked at the professor curiously, which May noticed.

"Pikachu, this is Professor Birch. He's a big-time Professor here in Hoenn and a close friend of the family. His wife and Mom are actually sisters." She explained. He smiled and nodded in understanding.

"Well May, shall we get you your Pokedex and starter Pokemon?" Professor Birch asked. She nodded and followed him through the lab to where the Pokemon were kept. Ash looked around the room as they walked and began to think.

"Hm...While she's picking out her starter I should look for a map...Professors normally have those kinds of things in their labs…" he reasoned. May and Professor Birch stopped by the recovery station where three pokeballs sat on the desk. Ash hopped off May's head and onto a nearby desk after spotting a framed map of all the nearby regions.

"There are three Pokemon here in Hoenn that are given to starting trainers." Birch explained. He picked up one of the pokeballs and opened it up. "First is the Grass Pokemon, Treecko." Out of the pokeball comes a small green reptilian Pokemon.

"Treecko Tree." He announced.

"Uh..." May hesitated. She looked closer at Treecko and he suddenly turned his eyes towards her. "Eek!" she yelped as she stumbled back from him. Ash quickly looked over in case she was in danger. "It's creepy!" she complained. Ash sighed in relief and then smiled.

"I think he's kinda cool." He chuckled before he resumed searching the map.

"Next is the Water Pokemon, Mudkip." The Professor continued, opening another pokeball. A little blue Pokemon with a big fin on his head popped out of the pokeball and stood next to Treecko.

"Mud." He stated simply.

"Well, this one's kinda cute." May gave a little smile and looked at Mudkip closely. Then from out of nowhere, Mudkip launched a Water Gun from his mouth and blasted her right in the face, causing her to scream in surprise.

"Pikachu!" Ash yelled, running to her. Mudkip stopped the attack before he got there, but he still ran up to the Mudkip angrily. "Hey! Don't attack her!"

"She's weird. Don't like her." Mudkip replied with a shrug. Ash growled a little at him before checking on May to see if she was ok. She coughed out a bit of water and wiped the excess off her face.

"Don't worry I'm alright…but I don't think this is the one for me…" she informed him. Professor Birch chuckled and grabbed the last pokeball.

"Then lastly, we have the Fire Pokemon, Torchic." He finished, opening the pokeball. A small orange Pokemon with yellow feathers on her head and neck came out and jumped up and down excitedly.

"Tor!" she cheered. May tilted her head curiously at the new Pokemon. Torchic suddenly trotted over to May's side. "Torchic." She greeted the trainer before she nuzzled her head against May's leg.

"Well this one's pretty friendly..." she commented. She thought about it for a moment longer before smiling. "That's that. I choose Torchic." She declared, picking the Fire-Type up.

"Torchic!" Torchic agreed.

"Pika!" Ash cheered with them.

"Then all that's left is your Pokedex and pokeballs." Birch said, offering her a red Pokedex and 5 pokeballs, along with Torchic's pokeball. May accepted the items and stored them in her bag.

"Thank you, Professor." She said politely. She pointed her pokeball at Torchic and smiled. "Let's go have an adventure Torchic."

"Tor tor Torchic!" Torchic agreed as she was recalled back to her pokeball. Doing so reminded May of something. She pulled one of the empty pokeballs back out of her bag and knelt down to Ash's level to offer it to him.

"Here. It's your choice."

"Pi…" he whispered, looking at the ball. As much as he wanted to show that kind of commitment to her, he knew this wasn't the way to do it. "Pika pika." He shook his head. She gave a small smile and put the pokeball away.

"That's just fine." She nodded. He smiled at her and silently thanked her for understanding. He then ran over the map he was at before.

"ChuPikaaa!" he said, pointing to the map.

"Huh?" she asked curiously.

"Pika." He explained, tapping on Johto a couple of times and then tapping on Kanto. "Pika."

"Oh. Is that where you're from?" she guessed. Ash nodded and pointed to Kanto again, and then pointed at Johto, then Hoenn.

"You went there, then there, and ended up here?" she tried to translate. He nodded again as the Professor walked over to them. "Professor Birch, what are those regions?"

"Why that's Kanto and Johto." He answered.

"Kanto and Johto huh...?"

"If you look at the map their landmass is the closest Region to Hoenn." Birch explained further.

"But it is still a good distance away. Hours-long boat ride..." May noticed.

"Pika Pikachu. Pika Pika." Ash nodded.

"Is that...where you want to go...?" she asked her partner. Ash was about to nod, but he stopped himself short.

"I don't even know if the others are still there..." he reminded himself.

"If you want to go there we'll go..." she assured him.

"I can't just...ditch her...and even if we did find the others it's not like that'll magically cure me...What would be the point..? Would she even believe me..?" he wondered. As much as he did want to go back, he knew he needed more time before he could. He simply leaned against May with a smile and shook his head.

"Really?" she asked.

"ChuPika..." he replied, nuzzling her leg. May smiled softly and he smiled back.

"Then I guess our first stop is Oldale Town." She said.

"Pika." He agreed.

"Thank you so much for everything Professor Birch." She said, looking back at him.

"Of course May. Give your father my regards."

"You bet. Say hi to Brendan for me." She responded.

"I will-" he stopped short and for the first time looked closely at Ash. "There's...something familiar about that Pikachu...I feel like I'm forgetting something I was asked for…"

"Huh?" May wondered.

"Ah, it's nothing." Birch replied, waving it off.

"Well...a-alright." She shrugged. "Take care." Ash climbed onto her shoulder and she headed outside. He thought quietly to himself as she grabbed her bike. "You ok?"

"Pikachu chu." he nodded and gave a smile to assure her.

"If we make good time we should make it to Oldale Town before dark." She informed him. Once he nodded again, she started heading for Oldale Town. Ash smiled at her, but another thought crept into his mind.

"Professor Birch said that I looked familiar...does that mean that he was informed about my disappearance?"

To be Continued...