Ashes in May Ch. 23 Ugh, Parents, Why…

Okay, so I'm going to have Ash finish his one on one battle with Professor Kukui, then start up with Ash vs Gary, but for the next chapter I'm switching it up a bit with a change to the plot, and things are soon going to feel like they're being rushed. I don't know how else to describe it, though I WANT YOUR OPINION, please Review/Comment. I love hearing from yall.


"Aww, shopping was so much fun! Not to mention the pampering felt amazing," May sighed, contently leaning back in her seat. Bags, aplenty, at her feet hiding them from view. Sitting beside her was Professor Burnet, who looked just as content. "Yeaaah, mmm," She replied, stretching out then slumping down in her own seat. They stayed like that for a moment both sitting in the car just enjoying the aftermath of the day of fun and relaxation. "…Okay, let's head back, the boys should be home by now," the professor said sitting up and turning the jeep on. "How do you think Ash's meeting went? He told me that this one was going to be long and he didn't look like he was looking forward to it." May asked, looking over at the intelligent woman. She smiled, shaking her head, "I bet he zone out halfway through. I don't blame him; before he took on the Elite Four to officiate his title as champion, Kukui and I went for him. It was quite the eyesore, to be honest." May giggled, "Sound a boatload of fun!"

The white hair woman laughed, "I can only imagine how Ash has been dealing with all these meetings with so much to cover." The conversation came easy to them as they spoke for a few more minutes slowly falling into a comfortable silence. May looked down at her feet in her sandals and wiggled her toes causing her to smile at her silliness. 'Either way, my feet were pampered and massaged, so I can afford a little toe wiggle,' May thought, laughing to herself. May looked to the back seat smiling at Glaceon who had lied down for a nap. Truly, it had been a fun day; Burnet had suggested a girl's day which led to a trip to the spa, salon, getting mani-pedis, and afterward they hit the stores for new outfits. The stunning woman had suggested to May the idea of a girl's day to which the younger girl ecstatically declared her approval. With a few calls and excited persuasion, they had managed to get a few more girls to join them for their day of feminine fun. In total their group was pretty big at 7 people including May and Burnet. Those joining were Mallow, Lana, Lili, and even Lusamine and Wicke. As said before there had to be a bit of convincing, but a date was set and they all met at the Hau'oli mall as soon as it opened to make the most of their day.

They all also hit an arcade for childish fun and quickly May found a rival in Lana who most definitely had a competitive streak as she did. If a certain game had a two-player mode or had a pair of the same game…It. Was. On. Both of them would look at each other with grins and flames in their eyes, quickly trying to outdo the other's score. At some point between stores Mallow had suggested going a few rounds in bowling and to May's surprise, Burnet and Lusamine were the star rivals this time around. Of course, May sat out for medical reasons but nonetheless cheered them on. Then finally after their extensive shopping, they were all starving for something mouthwatering. So that's when Lusamine got a shiny glint in her eye and suggested a burger place much to everyone's shock since they all assumed that she'd choose a classy reservation-only restaurant. Haha, nope, she led them to a small burger place just out past city limits, and once inside sitting with the burgers on the table someone asked cautiously. No, scratch that, there was no hesitation in their voice as Lana spoke, "Burgers are great and all, but I thought you'd want to go to one of those fancy places rich people like to go." Everyone had frozen, turning to look at the older blonde woman for her reaction. The woman in question raised an eyebrow then her lips grew into a wide-toothy grin. Grinning with a wide toothy grin she proclaimed, "I wasn't always rich you know, I am not a complete snob and I, most definitely, love burgers, the bigger and juicier the better! Plus this place has the best Tauros beef burgers in Alola!" With that Lusamine took a huge bite from the equally huge burger. A small hum of satisfaction was heard from her as she put the burger down with a closed-lipped smile. Well, as best of a smile as you can give with a mouth full of burger but still contagious enough that the entire table burst into joyful laughter all eager to dig in. Whoever said a classy woman couldn't enjoy a nice burger, well shut the hell up, your dead wrong. Eventually, they had to part ways and that is how May ended up here in Professor Burnet's car. The time according to the car's clock, was 5:00 pm

"May, so when are you going to ask Ash out?" "Wait, what? Say what?" retorted the brunette trying to process. Burnet rolled her eyes, "Really, May? When you're with Ash, you look at him the same way I look at my husband, all love struck and dopey." Okay, if ever a moment to die it was right now! Arceus, take me away now. May scoured the road for an Arceus sent car on a collision course. Nothing, dang it. The mother of her best friend was not questioning her about when she should ask her son on a date. Heat rose over her cheeks as her face turned the shade of a spicy tamato berry, soon enough she was awkwardly tugging at her fingers. "I d-don't know what you're even talking about, Professor?" May laughed wobbly facing the white hair woman though avoided looking the woman in the eye. Unfortunately, for May it became a lot harder to do that when they came to stop at a red light that had so coincidently turned red. Taking advantage of divine intervention Burnet turned to May who was still flush in the face. "Sweetheart, this is between us girls, I promise. Now, first of all, this is Ash we're talking about and he's pretty clueless about when a girl is attracted to him, anyone really…anyways Ash is definitely a hot young man, any girl would want. Tall, strong and fit, handsome, a killer smile, not to mention he can make a girl weak in the knees with just a smile. Plus a guy that's fit like him would really rock your world-"

"Professor we're talking about your SON!" May screeched eyes wide as she forced herself not to think of Ash in such a way. At least trying to because she did not want to be thinking of such subjects when the man, in question's mother, is right next to her.

Brunet laughed as she pressed on the gas crossing the intersection. "Please, I simply stated something that is visible and could be deduced by any girl's standpoint. Now as the mother of who we are talking about, I know I raised my boy to respect women as no more than or less than equals. My boy has grown into quite the respectable gentlemen and with a heart like his, he's quite the catch."

"Oh, so if it isn't Ash, you're into then it's Gary, isn't it?" came her voice.

"What!?"

"What, May, have you not seen the guy? He looks like you mixed a professional athlete and a male model together and put in sugar, very spicy spice, and everything nice and attractive into one man. Not to mention he's intelligent too. He could probably rock your world too with his experience." the tan lady explain pensive bring her pointer finger to her lip.

Bringing two hands to her face May felt her blush spread down her neck remembering how she had been pressed against Gary's bare muscular chest a few weeks ago during the Pokemon contest. Why now?!

"Professor, whyyyyyy?" she spluttered practically begging her to stop with her exasperated groan.

"Really, dear. (-_-) Now, I didn't technically raise Gary, but he did spend a lot of time with us as you know. I feel for him like he was my very own son, so I know he, as well, respects women and is quite the gentleman too. Flirtatious yes, but knows where the limit is. I saw a lot of his growth into the man he is now, and I can assure you that he would make you quite happy in and out of bed."

The coordinated screeched as she turned away from the teasing scientist debating if she should just jump from the car now, they weren't going all that fast. Burnet rolled her eyes because she had heard May mumble that last part; Ms. Maple clearly not realizing that she had spoken her thoughts aloud. Though just as a precaution she locked the doors. Burnet sighed contently, her responsibility to freak out potential partners for her children was done until Elio was of dating age, but never mind that she wasn't ready to think about losing her baby to a skank...

They were now leaving the last city neighborhood and the Pokemon school was coming into view in the distance. "Honey, you don't seem to realize that these boys are so spellbound by you and they don't even know it, or at the very least won't admit it," Professor Burnet affirmed keeping her eyes on the road.

This immediately brought May to raise her head up with a disbelieving look.

"Yeesh, and I thought Ash was dense, you and Gary are just as bad, and that saying something because Gary has been around more than a few times," she shook her head feeling a tab bit defeated by how difficult love was for these three. Not to say that it was easy, but for these three it was like trying to take the blindfold of someone, but they kept their eyes closed. Passing the Pokemon school the woman of the year spoke, "Before you start a long-winded argument about what they could possibly see in you, let me tell you as a woman like you, I've been in similar situations like this. I know what it looks like when boys see you with dopey puppy eyes. Both Gary and Ash look at you with the exact same look."

"…" silently May focus head at her feet, her heated face steadily radiating heat.

"May, you're a very attractive girl, with the determination of a Pokemon trainer, the grace of a coordinator, and the intelligence of a scientist. P.S. I know you can understand at least 3/4 of the intellectual conversation between Kukui, Gary, and myself. I'd be bewildered if these boys didn't take any kind of notice. Now my question for you is what do you think of them?"

"…(deep breath)…Fine, this stays between us…"

"My lips are sealed."

"You're not wrong, I do think that Gray and Ash…are hot…" she began as her voice quickly lost volume, "OHHh, what did I just say?" Bringing her hand to her face May squealed in embarrassment. Eyy, you try talking to a parent of someone you like and admit to them you find their son/daughter hot without any sense of bashfulness or shame, I dare you! LOL!

Burnet snickered and May knew this woman was just as evil as the rest of them. Pure utter tormentors, the lot of them.

"Good, what else?"

May closed her eyes and slumped her shoulders. There was no way out but to tell the truth. "Well, Ash is a big goof that can get me so annoyed, haha…but when I'm down he knows just what to say then does something silly to get me to laugh. He's really sweet, you know?" It wasn't a real question, but the driver nodded. Burnet clearly saw the smile forming on the girl's lips. "He's also strong, and not just in muscles, but the never-give-up kind, he had hard times, but his strength always pulls through...it's…inspirational. Then there's Gary. He is almost the exact opposite in terms of energy. He's like a prince that can be such an ass, haha, haha, yeah though he does know when to quit. When everything is calm that's when you see the real him. Really, he's the guy you can sit and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa and snuggle."

"Mmm."

"Oh, and Ash does this cute like thing where he tilts his head to the side just like a Rockruff pup when he's confused. Or when Gary nerds out about Pokemon research he puts the tip of his tongue on one of his canines and slightly wiggles his butt like an excited Growlithe. Ash was actually the first to notice that part and told me about it," May giggled when she saw it the first time.

'Woah, I have got to see that for myself,' she thought in disbelief, 'If I can just get a video of that I'd have embarrassing family content from all three of my boys, muahahaha!'

"May, I want you to think about what you just told me, about what those boys mean to you? If you are willing to, imagine what could be. If I didn't see them as my kids, were as close to me as two are to you, and I was your age I'd have jumped them ages ago," Burnet finished as she pulled into the makeshift driveway of their home.

Okay, if there was a shade of red that's any brighter on her face, she could be a Christmas light or a stoplight. Haha! As soon as the car stopped May was out the door with her bags along the length of her arms. Making her way to the front door she heard the voices of familiar people and she didn't even have to guess that the Regional Professor and Regional Champion were really giving it their all, in battle. From above two flying types zoomed through the sky hitting each other with their ironclad wings, diving, soaring, sharp turns. Each displaying not only their power but their flying capabilities, both desperately wanting to one-up the other. The clashing of both Steel Wings sent a small vibration through the air making Pikachu and Elio giggle before continuing their loud support. "Go, Staraptor! You can do it!" he shouted, getting a nod from his brother's Pokemon and a defeated look from Braviary and Professor Kukui. Elio was amazed at both his dad's and Ash's Pokemon, they were all so strong and cool. If there ever were two men the kid could have as male role models, then there were not better than his own father and older brother. "Yeah, so cool," Elio yelled when the Sinnoh Pokemon dodged by swiftly spinning out of the way with Aerial Ace.

Now, never say Elio didn't cheer for his dad, though. For example, Kukui had used Tailwind to give a boost to Braviary's speed, so whenever it went to do a move it would instantly get a gust of wind to up its movements. Then proceeding to use Scary Face to lower his brother's Pokemon's speed by a lot. Elio laughs a fit of giggles upon seeing the summoned scary face then copying the face making an effort to sound evil. Having failed, Elio simply grinned and called out to his dad, "That was really smart dad. You're so cool!" This brought a calm smile to Kukui's face. He subconsciously puffed out his chest with pride as he called out his next attack.

Finally reaching the steps to the porch she stopped to watch the fast-paced battle turning to look at the two trainers. Professor Kukui had the same confident smile his son always had during battles. If she didn't know any better, she would say that they truly were father and son by blood. They had so many similarities, of course, Professor Kukui was milder in his excitement compared to Ash but nevertheless. They were both always excited about anything related to Pokemon as per normal. However, they share other interests just as things like camping, hiking, even sparring against each other, what with Kukui's background as the Masked Royal, and Ash being Ash Royal. They like similar shows, games, and even food. Sometimes Burnet joked that they often resembled brothers. Turning her sight from the Regional Professor, May set her vision on the Champion of Alola. Don't get the wrong idea, he was her friend first and foremost, but she did admit to herself that he was very attractive, especially when he was having a Pokemon battle. Right now Ash Ketchum was standing in a position reminiscent of a fighting stance all the while looking up at the aerial battle.

As if the boy could sense her eyes on him he look down and smiled at her. Her cheeks warm up a bit before waving with a smile of her own. She walked over to Gary and greeted him with a half hug not wanting to distract him from the battle, though every mindful of the hard muscle under the thin fabric of the man's button-up black shirt. Elio noticed her and gave her a hug before returning to cheer for Staraptor and Braviary. Pikachu quickly climbed her like a tree and sat at her shoulder, "Pikachu! Chaaaa!" May giggled feeling Pikachu's soft fur tickle at her neck bringing up a hand to scratch under Pikachu's chin. Pikachu then waved down at Glaceon down by the girl's feet. Of course, Glaceon was more than happy to greet Pikachu. Apart from Ash, Pikachu was rarely so cuddly with others as he was with May and gleefully May liked that a lot. "Pikachu, would you mind keeping Glaceon some company while I take a shower, please?" the young woman questioned. Pikachu grinned and nodded with a big, "Pika!" Their attention was brought back to the battle when they heard Ash shout.

"It's time we finished this, Staraptor! Contest move, Shining Steel" Ash exclaimed with confidence. "Staaar raptor!" cried the black and grey Pokemon shooting up into the air as high as possible blocking out a part of the sun. Everyone looked up to find themselves blind-sighted and for a moment the Sinnoh regional bird look angelic. The feathers on its wings turned to polished steel then it twirled in midair causing many feathers to fly off around; each feather coated in iron yet as light as…well a feather. Every individual feather gleamed with sunlight as it reflected it in a different direction and when Staraptor flapped its wings the feathers followed the movement glimmering like glass sending countless beams of light down to the beach. May looked up with awe because of how beautiful this contest move looked and that's when Ash called out, "Dive!" Without wasting a second the normal type descends at an incredible speed, feathers following in tow. Kukui called out, "Counter it, Superpower!" Braviary screeched a battle cry quickly ascending with the help of Tailwind, sadly, it was for not as it got into the direct incline with Staraptor the feather bent the sun's light into its eyes causing the poor bird to flinch. It was at that moment that Staraptor hit Braviary with a steel wing and rapidly flew out of range as the iron-clad feather rained down on Braviary, bombarding it with small sparkling bursts.

"And that's it, Braviary is unable to battle the winner is Ash and Staraptor," Gary called out as he had run out to inspect Braviary as soon as it laid on the beach sand, swirling eyes present on the avian Pokemon. Elio and May chose this moment to run over to Ash both jumping up and down cheering, "You won! You won!" No matter how many times they saw Ash's battles they would never get bored, his matches were always so amazing.

The professor came to its Pokemon who slowly got up and shook out the sand from its feathers. "Thank you for that Braviary you did great work," the older man assured petting the side of the bird's head. "Verrrrry," it cooed leaning into its long-time friend's hand. "Star…" came a concerned voice looking at Braviary then at Kukui. Kukui smiled and nodded making his way to his son. Staraptor took the last few steps so the female Pokemon stood in front of the male Pokemon. Staraptor chirped as she nuzzled her head over Braviary's breast apologetically, nipping at the ruffled feathers. Her affection is displayed in her effort to groom the larger bird. Yes, they had been rivals moments ago but even so, the female avian wanted to make sure her mate wasn't too badly hurt. Lightly picking at his feathers, Staraptor checks over the other, worry in her eyes. Braviary rolled its eyes but ended up ruffling Staraptor's feathers affectionately; the other quickly brightening up nudging against the larger Braviary. "Awww, that's so cute!" "I KNOW! AND I EVEN GOT IT ON VIDEO!" exclaimed Burnet holding up a recording of the normal types' interaction. Both ducked their heads a bit but otherwise continued as they were.

Ash came to the birds patting them both on the head. "I'm going to battle Gary in a bit, but dad and I agree to let you both have some free time. Just try to be back not too long after sunset." Braviary and Staraptor were ecstatic when Ash presented them with sitrus berries. Three for the red, white, and blue Pokemon while giving his own Pokemon two sitrus berries; both gobbling up the berries like starved mons. Once finished they took to the skies and Ash watched contently as they disappeared into the distance. See, Staraptor had mentioned to her trainer that she and Braviary had become mates and were building a nest somewhere in the dense Melemele jungle but had disclosed area markers Ash or Kukui could use to find them in case of emergency.

At the end of the day, Ash was just glad that the two were happy and had trusted them enough to inform them of their nesting. Kukui almost cried when he found out as he was so proud of his partner, having been together since it was a small Rufflet it felt surreal. That day Kukui hugged his giant avian Pokemon declaring that they would celebrate out on the beach that night with all their friends and Pokemon, yes including Ash's enormous count of Pokemon. Before, the girls excused themselves Gary came up to May holding an Ultra ball in his hand, "Hey, May, would you mind if Umbrea hangs out with your Glaceon and Pikachu for a while? He's been wanting to spend some time with the two of them." "Oh, sure, no problem?" was her response watching the taller man release his pokemon. Upon the eevelution's appearance, Pikachu and Glaceon cheer greeting the black pokemon. Flashing its golden rings Umbreon showed them how glad it was to see the other two quickly coming close to give each of them a boop.

The girls excused themselves and headed inside with Pikachu and Umbreon. Turning back to the group when they were out of sight Ash looked pumped as Gary made his way to where Kukui had just been standing and Kukui doing the reverse. Elio now standing next to his father had not lost his sparkle or excitement.

"So, Ashy-boy are you ready for a beat down?" Gary teased, holding his Pokeball in his hand. Ash smirked, "Big talk from the person who lost our last battle, huh?" Gary shook his head pointing out, "That may be true Ashy-boy but you seem to forget I have three wins on you out of our total of 65 battles and I'm about to add one more to that total, haha!" Ash crossed his arms and pouted, "Salty…" "This will be a one on one unofficial battle between Ash the Champion and Gary the Pokemon professor!" Elio shouted sitting on his dad's shoulders kicking his feet and waving his arms making it a little hard for Kukui to keep his balance after all his boy was growing more and more every day. The young black-haired boy wanted to say it out loud like the refs usually did and now had been the perfect chance, so he tugged at his father's sweatpants and asked him to lift him onto his shoulders. Both teens raised their eyebrows before returning to their opponent with a leer in their eyes. "Battle, begin!" "I choose you!" "I choose you!"

"Alakazam!" "Gengar!"

With the sparks from the release, age-old rivals meet.

Holding its spoons out like weapons it bellowed in a deep voice, "Alaa Kaa Zaum!"

"Geng geng gaaaarrr," laughed the mischievous swaying from side to side.

Ready for battle stood the powerful psychic type, Alakazam, and its equal and opposite ghost/poison type, Gengar. Both trainers looked at each trying to look cooler than the other after all this was a battle, maybe not an official one but a rival battle, nonetheless. "Gary get ready because I'm winning this," Ash said, sending his rival a determined look. Returning the expression Gary replied, "Not likely, Alakazam isn't going to lose so easily. This battle will be a no-holds-bar, all moves allowed, just like the battle with your dad, got it, Ash." "Gotcha, those are the best battles anyway."

[Inside the home of the Professors]

"Mmm, okay, I'm going to take a shower, you two just stay here I'll be back in a bit," May told the two smaller Pokemon before her. With a cheerful nod from them, both May took some comfortable clothes and a towel in her arms and proceeded to the bathroom. Thus leaving the two eevelutions and starter to their own devices.

[Pokespeak]

As soon as May left the room she hops up onto the bed letting himself slump down on the mattress. "Ahh, it feels so good to be home, that meeting was so boring," Pikachu groaned out. Snickering Umbreon replied with, "Knowing you, you probably fell asleep in Ash's lap for most of it. I doubt you remember most of what they said." Pikachu pouted murmuring to himself before admitting defeat, "Fine, you win Umbreon, but I can't help it, all they do is talk for so looonnng!" Glaceon nodded as she sat back looking up at Pikachu, "But isn't that part of being the Champion's job?" "Yeah, and that's Ash." "Right, he's the human, but you're his ace, his most trusted confidant, Pikachu. That means that you're opinion matters in his decision-making," Umbreon reminds the starter of his role. Pikachu nodded slowly, it was true as Ash would often talk problems out with him and he would take Pikachu's suggestion into consideration very often. "I guess, I'ma have to start paying attention in those meetings." Pikachu sighed with a bemused expression. At this, the ice type giggled bringing one of its front paws to its mouth, "Heehee, the usual Pikachu." Jumping up Pikachu exclaimed, "I resent that comment!"

"I must agree with Glaceon, Pikachu. Though you're very admirable in your kindness and willingness to help others, when it comes to working, you tend to match your trainer's enthusiasm towards, er, hard business." Pikachu gapped at them, "You know what, whatever." Pikachu let himself slump down to the bed hearing both Umbreon and Glaceon snicker amongst themselves.

Of course, as soon as their fits passed it was Glaceon who got their attention once more. "Ehem," she began getting the attention from the two males, "I think it's time you told us who you choose to be your mate, Pikachu. Me, the fun and lovable Glaceon or Mr. Boring over there." To say Pikachu felt a foreboding chill fear of what was about to happen. Immediately, Umbreon's red eyes narrowed as it growled. Obviously, taking offense to the boring comment. "Glace, I wouldn't-" "That rich coming from a hyperactive loon compared to other Glaceons' calm natures,'' Umbreon bit back making sure to flash his canines, easily ignoring Pikachu's comment. Much like the last time they had argued with each other, Glaceon chilled the air around her causing her fur to puff out and freeze resembling needles. As for Umbreon it controls its potential poisonous sweat but does bring out its claws.

Pikachu immediately jumped down into the carpet to intervene before they actually went for the attack. "Guys, guys, calm down!" Pikachu begged paws up trying to keep Umbreon from moving towards Glaceon hissed moving closer to the yellow pokemon making sure to give Umbreon an evil grin before turning every so gracefully giving Pikachu's pink cheeks a lick. As she moved forward she used her tail slide effortlessly under the dazed electric type's chin. Sneering the male eeveelution gritted its teeth. So in response, the dark type came up to the same flushed Pikachu and gently but firmly pushed Pikachu by the chest down onto his back, then leaning down to give Pikachu his own lick to the cheek. This of course let Pikachu even more flustered and loopy, much to Umbreon's pride as he gave Glaceon a proud smirk. Of course, Glaceon only added to her fury. Shaking her head she continued to make her own moves leading to a push aside war between the two eevelutions over who got the chance to cuddle the electric mouse pokemon. So Pikachu made a ditch effort to get back up onto the bed leaving the other too to momentarily stop and look up at Pikachu with expectant expressions. Thankfully, an Arceus sent intervention came in the form of May Maple, the best girl ever as she returned to the room.

Upon opening the door May saw Pikachu on her bed looking down at Glaceon. Pikachu looked totally nervous while Glaceon and Umbreon looked like they couldn't take the hint. 'Oh boy, this can't be good,' May thought awkwardly.


So, what do yall think? I added this little scene since I feel like the pokemon hasn't had much spotlight lately, maybe that's just me. Anyway, that's all for now folks, As the Journey continues!