Chapter 3: The Journey Continues

Well happy thanksgiving. I had meant to get this chapter done or at least started yesterday. But my job had other plans then letting me write like I'm supposed on Wednesday. Ah well, better late then never. Hope you guys enjoy and please review. Also, in this AU Ash doesn't have a Torkoal like in canon. Torkoal are usually found in that fire cave in Ruby to the best of my knowledge, and they won't be going back there. I know in the anime it was the Valley of Steel. Probably won't be passing through there either. So I think I'll have Ash get a new Pokemon. I got an idea of what it could be… here's a hint. Fair Weather Friend.

Reviews:

Force Smuggler: Glad to the one who said it was a wonderful story and I hope to please you the rest of the way. Any suggestions for improvement are welcome and will taken under consideration.

Guest: Okay, I wasn't too into the idea of direct sex anyway.

Ashmay4ever: Well I was considering Drew to May's fiancé originally but Harley seems more fitting for a villain and more destructive which I think would be the case. At least later on.

Have a happy thanksgiving everyone and hope you enjoy the chapter.

Ash woke up and saw his girlfriend still asleep. He smiled at her, feeling her head on top of his chest as had become usual in the past few weeks. He waited until her beautiful sapphire eyes opened. Recently he'd feared he'd never wake up to her presence again. But that fear was gone. Dialga had let her come back to him and they could be together. Nothing would come between them again… could it?

Nah, Ash thought before addressing his girlfriend.

"Morning," he said.

"Morning," she replied.

They kissed and got up, showering and putting on their clothes.

They headed out into the main area of the Center, where Nurse Joy stood at the front desk.

"Good morning you two!" Joy said. "Your Pokemon are all fully recovered."

She handed them the tray containing all their Pokeballs, three for May and five for Ash.

"Hey Pikachu!" Ash said as he picked his partner up.

"Hey Ash!" Pikachu called before turning to May. "Hey May!"

May smiled at him as he cried Pika pika! Though she could see it was a positive greeting.

"Feeling better now Pikachu!" May asked as she stroked the electric type.

"Cha! Sure am!" Pikachu said with a nod and smile.

"Well, lets have breakfast with everyone and then we can hit the road," Ash said.

They headed to the cafeteria of the center and let out all their pokemon. Ash then got out his Pokemon food supply. He

"We need to resupply," Ash said. "Just about out of Pokemon food."

"Uh oh," May said. "We have enough for today?"

"For breakfast at least," Ash said. "If everyone shares."

Pikachu and Eevee didn't mind. Though

"Corphish! Corphish!" The crustacean pokemon voiced a negative response with his eyes narrowed. He didn't like the idea of sharing his food.

"Corphish come on!" Ash said. "Its just for breakfast. Then we have a bigger lunch."

"Cor," Corphish growled and folded his pincers.

Ash distributed the Pokemon food in pairs. They had eight Pokemon altogether so it went in groups of two. Pikachu and Eevee, Plusle and Minun, Grovyle and Corphish, and Torchic and Tailow. Ash and May sat at a table together while their Pokemon chowed down, sharing their food politely. Except for one duo. Corphish watched as Ash's newly evolved Grovyle took the food in their shared bowl. Even though Grovyle only took out a few pieces the lobster like Pokemon did not like it and grabbed more of the food in its pincers. Seeing this Grovyle narrowed its eyes, Corphish downed the food and made to grab more, but Grovyle grabbed its pincers.

"Corphish Corphish!" Corphish said. "I want more let go!"

"Grovyle, Gro!" Grovyle countered. "We have to share."

"I don't wanna share!" Corphish snapped. "I'm taking as much as I want!"

He pulled his pincer free and the two Pokemon locked eyes.

"If that's how you want to play it," Grovyle said.

He then took a large handful of the food in their bowl.

"Hey!" Corphish yelled. "Alright that's it!"

He sent a bubblebeam out at Grovyle. It hit the grass type with not too much effect since Grass was strong against water, and Grovyle was even stronger now since it evolved from Treecko. Still the attack drew the attention of their trainer.

"Hey, Corphish, cut it out!" Ash shouted.

"Corphish! Cor!"

"Hey, either you behave yourself or no lunch!" Ash ordered.

That caused Corphish to shut up. He looked down, more shamed of not being able to fight then he was of actually starting the fight. He took smaller bites of the Pokemon food and so did Grovyle. The rest of the meal passed peacefully. Then Ash called all his Pokemon but Pikachu back into their pokeballs. May hesitated though. She wasn't sure which Pokemon to have out with her. Minun was her usual one that perched on her shoulder, and Eevee would like to hang out with Pikachu and she didn't like the idea of keeping Eevee trapped after what she'd gone through, but she hadn't had much time with her new Torchic either.

"Um, Minun would you be alright staying in your Pokeball for a while?" May asked. "I want to spend a little time with Torchic right now."

Minun smiled. "Mi!" She didn't mind, and it was understandable that May would want to bond with her newest addition.

"Thanks girl," May patted Minun's head then called her in. That left Torchic, Eeevee, and Pikachu out.

"Torchic! Tor!" the little chic Pokemon said.

"Alright Torchic, you ready to get going?" May asked.

"Torchic!" it affirmed.

May picked up her newest Pokemon and held Ash's hand. Pikachu walked on the ground with Eevee. Ash kinda missed having his partner on his shoulder but was glad he had someone special now. They both did. The two trainers headed to the Petalburg Trainer Mart. They resupplied on Pokemon food as well as medicine in case one of their Pokemon got hurt, and food for themselves on the road road.

"Well that looks like we got everything," Ash said. "Unless we're forgetting something?"

May looked over what they had in the shopping bag. "Medicine, food, I think we're okay."

"Alright, lets go," Ash said.

They exited the mart. Then May wondered something. "Where is the next Gym located?"

"Let's see," Ash pulled out his map. "Fortree city, its northeast of Mauville city."

"Back where we met," May said with a fond smile. "Or close at least… and where I caught Minun!"

Ash nodded. "Well, I have a friend who lives near the sea who can take us to Slateport then we can walk to Mauville city. Hmm…" he added thoughtfully as he recalled the path there.

"What is it Sir Ash?" May asked.

"I was just thinking, you remember how they have that cycle road on the way there?"

May nodded. The strange devices that people rode upon on the path above the walking one.

"You want to get one? May asked.

"Well it will be kind of expensive, but we are on a bit of a tight schedule so having some bikes would speed things up," Ash said.

May nodded, recalling how fast they were in a car. Of course from what she saw bikes weren't as fast, still it would beat walking.

"Alright, I guess since I'm staying in this era fulltime I have the time to learn to ride one," May said.

They began the walk to the next to the next part of their journey. Pikachu, having been to where they were going before, lead the way with Eevee by his side. They were soon out of the main city and arrived at the Petalburg beach.

"Oh, the ocean is so pretty!" May said looking at the water crashing down on the beach.

There was a jogger running down there, leaving prints in the sand. Some people were swimming and some little kids made sand castles. Near the beach was a small house with a boat in front of it.

"That's the place," Ash said walking ahead.

Knocking on the door he called out, "Mr. Briney!"

"Come in!" an elderly voice said.

Ash, May, and their Pokemon entered. Inside was an old man with a white beard. Perched on his shoulder was a small white and blue seagull like Pokemon with small beady eyes and a golden beak.

"Well, Ash! Been a while!" Mr. Briney said.

"Yeah it has," Ash said before turning to May. "May this is Mr. Briney's a sailor that transports people to Dewford Island and Slateport sometimes."

"And a fisher man as well," Briney added.

"Hello, I'm Prin… May, Ash's girlfriend." May corrected herself from saying Princess. "Its nice to meet you."

"Likewise. My, got yourself a girlfriend huh Ash?" Briney asked. "Ah the joys of being young and in love. I remember I was once in that position as well."

Ash smiled.

"Well where are we headed?"

"I'm going to Fortree city. So I'll be heading to slateport and walk from there," Ash said.

"No problem," Briney said. "After what you did for Peekco here, I'm happy to take you whereever you need."

"Peecko?" May asked.

"That's my Wingul's nickname," Briney said petting the seagull like Pokemon. "He saved her life, that's a debt that can never be repaid."

May looked at Ash in amazement. "You saved her just like you saved me huh?"

Ash blushed. "Yeah, I guess."

"You're a hero everywhere you go Sir Ash!" May smiled.

"Sir?" Briney asked.

"Oh… uh, its just a little joke we have about me being a knight," Ash said to create a cover. "I saved her when we first met."

May nodded, though frowned a little at saying his knight title was a joke. But she knew they had to avoid the real story. That would have to do as a cover, though maybe when she was in the company of others she'd have to avoid calling him Sir.

They got on Mr. Briney's boat, the sailor untied it and started up the engine. May watched as the propellor on the back began spinning. Briney pulled a lever and turned the steering wheel as Ash and May sat on the seats behind him with Pikachu, Eevee, and Torchic by their side. Off they sped across the water, leaving a path behind them briefly as the boat skidded at top speed.

…

It took a few hours of boating, till past afternoon. But they soon came to Slateport city. Briney's boat docked on the pier. Ash and May got up and looked at the old man in appreciation.

"Thanks for the ride Mr. Briney," Ash said.

"Not a problem. You ever in Petalburg again I'll be glad to take ya to Dewford or Slateport. Good luck in the rest of your journey Ash. And I hope you two have a happy life," Briney said looking between him and May.

The couple smiled at him then disembarked from the boat with their Pokemon. May carried Torchic while Pikachu and Eevee ran on the dock. Now that she was fully healed, Eevee was able to run like any Pokemon. She and Pikachu raced each other to certain points and back to their trainers.

Briney started up the boat again, they turned and watched as he backed it up and waved. They waved back as he sped off back to Petalburg. Ash and May then continued walking and watched their two Pokemon play ahead.

Eevee twirled around on her hind paw as if dancing.

"Ah it feels so good to be able to run freely," Eevee said to Pikachu.

"Yeah," he agreed. "Just don't push yourself. I wouldn't want you to get hurt," Pikachu said.

"Relax, I'm… waah!"

Splash! Eevee had forgotten to look where she was going as they walked across the pier. She slipped off and fell into the ocean just below. It wasn't too deep but still enough to completely submerge the small evolution Pokemon. Eevee struggled in the water, her head just above it.

"Help! I can't swim!" she screamed fearfully.

"Oh hang on!" Pikachu said.

Eevee frantically flailed her legs. Pikachu was ready to dive in if need be. Fortunately he didn't have to.

"Eevee!" Ash yelled in concern.

He ran up to her and reached out just in time as she was about to go under. He took her by the scruff of the neck and pulled her out, gently propping her back on the deck. May caught up with a concerned expression on her face as she saw her Pokemon. Putting Torchic down she hugged Eevee.

"Oh Eevee are you okay?" she asked.

"Eevee," the Pokemon gave a small nod though her eyes were still scared.

"Its okay, Eevee, just gotta watch where you're going is all," Ash said gently while petting her.

Eevee nodded. May put her down and she shook her fur, getting them all wet. They laughed a little, then continued on at a walking pace. They came onto the beach. Ash and May both looked at each other, knowing what the other was thinking.

"You'd like to go swimming wouldn't you May?" Ash asked.

She nodded. "And you'd like to see me in my swimsuit wouldn't you?"

Ash blushed and nodded. "Yeah. Though it is getting close to sunset, might be a little too late."

"Ah," she pouted. "Well, we'll have to do it another time. If we come across another beach like this can we?"

Ash nodded. "If we make good time then yes. Which should be possible once we get some bikes."

They continued down the beach and soon reached the city. Looking around, they remembered that this had been where their troubles with Dialga began. The Golurk created by May's father had attacked them here and captured May, and Ash had had to bring Charizard in to fly after her… all the way to Sinnoh. It had been a crazy few weeks after that.

It took them a couple hours of walking through the city before they reached the other end heading north. But by that time it was also sunset.

"What do we do now Sir Ash?" May asked.

They'd passed the Pokemon center to get as much distance done today as possible. But that might have been a bit too hasty. Ah well.

"Well, guess we'll just camp out," Ash said.

May would have preferred a bed… but didn't complain. She had never camped before, though sometimes her soldiers would have. It could be fun as well. Ash gathered some fire wood from some trees nearby. Torchic then used ember to light them on fire. They then got out the food they'd bought in Petalburg which included a certain meat that he put on a skewer.

"Ah, camping, haven't done this in a while," Ash said. "I used to all the time when I had other traveling companions."

"Its certainly nice to feel a warm fire nearby, May said as she lay her head on his shoulder before looking up at the night sky. "And to see all those lovely stars."

Ash nodded and put an arm around her. "Yeah. Never gets old."

They ate their hot dogs and other food they'd bought while Pikachu and the others got fresh Pokemon food. Then it was time to turn in. Ash reached into his pack and pulled out a sleeping bag. Then something hit him.

"We don't have a sleeping bag for you!" Ash said.

"Oh dear," May said.

They hadn't camped out before as they'd often stayed at Pokemon Centers. So, May hadn't prepared for that sort of situation.

"Well, do you mind sharing?" she asked blinking her eyes at him.

He smirked. "Not at all. But I think we might want to take a break from sex tonight."

She nodded. Even though she truly and utterly in love with him, she didn't want to risk getting pregnant too often… if she wasn't already. They'd have plenty of time to think of that in the future.

The couple climbed into their sleeping bag. Not as much room as a bed, so they cuddled tightly up into each other and looked up and the beautiful stars. Pikachu and Eevee lay next to each other. Minun and Plusle did the same, they'd been let out at dinner time and their trainers decided to let them spend time together. Their journey would continue.

…

Duke Harley wandered the forest in Ancient Hoenn that was a was northeast from the settlement that would one day become Slateport City.

"Celebi! I need your help darling! You owe my family for a few decades ago!" Harley called in a sweet voice laden with poison.

A green light suddenly shined up ahead. Harley smiled. The light faded and a green fairylike magical creature appeared. Harley approached.

"Bi?" Celebi asked.

"You said I could come and seek a favor from you if I ever needed one," Duke Harley said. "Well I need to go to the future for a little bit and save my bride! She's been taken by someone who has addled her brain into thinking she's in love with him!"

"Bi!" Celebi exclaimed.

"I must rescue her and undo whatever spell this so-called knight has put her under!" Harley said. "Please, send me to the future so I may do so!"

Celebi flew around for a moment and closed its eyes. As it possessed the ability of Time Travel, like Dialga, it could sense someone out of time. Locating the exact year in the future where May was, Celebi created a glowing portal and levitated Harley who exclaimed in wonder.

"Oh how amazing!" Harley said as he flew.

"Bi! Celebi!" Celebi waved for Harley to follow.

Harley flew into the portal. He was then in the same area he'd just been in, but in the current timeline where his beloved May was. The girl that belonged to him and had since she was born. He would recover her and go back, then take the Maple family crown and become king. Her father had allowed her to return to the future with a mere peasant that deigned to be a knight. Harley would kill him and take his bride back!

"Thank you darling!" Harley said with a wicked smile. "Now how do I find them?"

Celebi concentrated for a moment, then reached out and connected its mind to Harley's. That was a little more difficult then it would be for a magical creature like Dialga or Mewtwo, but Celebi had to communicate.

Wait for them here. My future sight says they will come on this very road. Celebi said in Harley's head.

"Oh thank you! I'll just stand by then? Uh… how long till they get here?" Harley asked.

About 17 hours, Celebi said. Call me when you are ready to return. I cannot let you stay in the future for long. But I owe your family for treating me forty years ago.

The time traveling creature vanished, leaving Harley to complete his task. He smirked, thinking one as skilled and charming as himself would not need the help of a Legendary magical creature. But from what he'd heard of the man from the future who'd stolen his bride from King Norman (before he'd ransacked his castle), he was a… magical creature trainer. Remarkable perhaps, few had great contact with magical creatures. Though nobles often used them for various purposes, and Harley was prepared to make use of them as well. He reached into his pocket, pulling out three pieces of metal. One was a dagger, his personal weapon, coated in a deadly poison, the other two were special pieces of armor that when latched onto a magical creature forced it to do the owners bidding. Harley looked around, hoping a magical creature was nearby. It was dark though. The middle of the night it seemed. Harley quickly lit a fire to get warm. Then fortune smiled on him as a shadow came forward. Harley turned and saw a man sized cactus like creature.

"Cacturne!" It said menacingly.

"Ooh, you look like you could make a good thing to duel the thief I pursue," Harley said. "Alright you're mine!"

He threw the first armor piece at the Cacturne.

Okay, I had thought of having Ash's first fight with Harley be kind of one sided with Harley not having any Pokemon. But that might be boring. So I looked up Marcus from Arceus and the Jewel on the Pokemon wiki, and found he used some sort of armor to control his Pokemon. And while contact with them wasn't as common back then it did occur as May's family had Rapidash to pull her carriage. So I took the armor Marcus used to enslave Pokemon for Harley here. Now he'll give Ash at least a little trouble.