"I met Lucario yesterday"
Dawn and May held their mouths open, Leaf dropped her book that she had been reading and Gary looked just about ready to explode. None of them could comment due to Ash speaking up again
"It was after school, and I wasn't in any hurry to get home after interacting with the she-devil... I heard an explosion probably around the corner and saw a big crowd huddled together. I mean I know I shouldn't have run towards the explosion, but curiosity and all that" he said, playing around with his spoon and sighed
The group kept quiet, with Leaf having placed an apple in Gary to make sure he wouldn't interrupt. After a few minutes Ash continued with his story, the group once again having their full focus on the teen... it wasn't everyday someone they knew met a superhero!
"Another explosion was heard from above. I remember looking up and seeing various pieces of rubble falling. Everyone panicked, with me being knocked to the ground as a result. I tried to move, but my body won't listen... I actually thought I was going to die and wanted it to be fast" at this everyone at the table tensed at how close to death their friend had gotten
"When nothing happened, I saw Lucario standing there in front of me with a blue shield surrounding us. I could hardly believe it was actually him and I swear I looked shocked" Ash finished, leaving out the part about what happened when the two made contact
"How lucky are you! If I had known I would've been able to meet Lucario if I had gone with you... I wouldn't have gone over to my cousin's house" Gary cried out in despair
"Must have been hard to not go full on fanboy at him, huh Ash?" Leaf asked with a smirk as the raven-haired teen blushed and scratched his cheek in embarrassment
"Lucario is Ash's favourite?" May asked, turning to see the raven-haired teen trying to hide his face
Leaf and Dawn both nodded at this with May taking a mental note on that
"Yup! He's like a huge fanboy when it comes to Lucario. I swear his room has a lot of hero merchandise!" Gary added in and Ash really wanted this conversation to be over
"My favourite hero would have to be Wonder Woman" Dawn said, deciding to drive the conversation away from Ash
"Black Canary" Leaf stated with a shrug, she wasn't that into heroes... but she had to admit that the heroine could kick some serious butt
"Lucario and Flash! Those two are the best in my book" Gary said leaning on the table
Although she was embarrassed at her choices, May still answered with a sigh "Green Lantern and, you wouldn't have expected this, but Batman too"
Soon the bell rang, signaling that lunch was over as all the students packed their belongings and started making their way to class. Dawn and Leaf made their way towards the history hall and Gary made his way over to math, meeting up with Ethan along the way
Ash and May were left alone as the two had the same class right after lunch. They were silent, not knowing what to say... it had been quiet awhile since Ash decided to stop being afraid and agreed to let May into his life as friends
"My parents have been bugging me like crazy to introduce them to all my friends. They've met Dawn and Lillie... I asked Gary and Leaf if they were interested and said that they would be glad to come over today... I was wondering if you were available tonight, my mom seems to really want to get to know you for some reason, maybe because I've talked about you quite a lot"
Ash looked surprised by this as May realizing what she said, started blushing like crazy
"You don't have to come if you feel uncomfortable though! I don't want you to think you're being forced to either" she said, trying to hide her face which was becoming even more red as the two entered their classroom and took their seats
Meanwhile Ash was having a flashback to the last time someone had invited him over to dinner that wasn't Leaf or Gary... and that was Red, a few days before he left
Flashback
"Hey Ash... there's something I gotta tell you" Red said with a faraway look, as Ash turned to face him and paused the video game they had been playing
"What is it?" he asked, not knowing that he would be receiving news he never wanted to hear
"I'm going to be... moving" Red softly said, not making eye contact with the teen he considered to be like the younger brother he never had
"Moving? Like you're going to be moving to another house here in Pallet?"
Red shook his head "My mom got this new job and it requires her to be in Saffron... so she said we'll be moving to Celadon Avenue"
That was one of the worst days Ash had and it was also the last conversation he had with Red... both losing contact after the older teen moved
End of flashback
"Ash... you alright? I mean it seemed like I lost you there for awhile" May said, as Ash shook his head and looked at the brunette with a small smile
"I'll be glad to come over May... my mom is going to be working till pretty late, so I'm sure she wouldn't mind" he said as he almost chuckled at the sight of May's beaming face
"That's great! I'll let my parents know! Come around 6 or 6:30. My address is on Petalburg Avenue and is apartment building 3, floor 5 and number 12" she said, writing down the address for him as he pocketed it away and both turned back towards the front as their teacher appeared
Later, 30 minutes till 6:30
Ash sat at his desk, looking at the notebook in front of him as he jotted down everything he could thing of for what had caused that feeling yesterday when he met Lucario... but it was easier said than done
Leaning his head on his arms, the teenager sighed in defeat as this was getting him nowhere and he still had to get ready to meet May's family. Gary had offered him a ride to their house, but Ash declined, stating he wanted some time alone... also he wanted to walk to the scene he had met the hero as well, hoping it would get him some much needed answers
Deciding to get a move on, Ash grabbed his backpack, phone in hand and locked up his house as he sent his mother a message that he was going to meet some friends
He decided that on the way back home he would check out the encounter scene as he had called it and made his way into the bus that would take him close to May's house
After walking a couple few blocks once he stepped out of the bus, he finally found the apartment building and made his way to the 5th floor. Knocking on the number May had given him, Ash waited
Soon the door opened, and he saw a young boy around maybe 8 with dark hair and glasses on "Who are you supposed to be?" he asked just as May rounded the corner
"Ash! You're here early, not even Leaf or Gary are here yet" she said as the young boy moved out of the way and over towards the living room
"Yeah... I wanted to get a head start and come early than late" he said shyly and rubbing his hair
"Well while we're waiting let me introduce you to my family. My dad's unfortunately not here due to being held up at the station. First is my little brother Max" she said as the young just lazily waved his hand making May sigh and dragged Ash towards the kitchen where an older woman with brown hair was seen cooking
"This is my mom. Mom this is Ash Ketchum, one of my friends from Viridian High" May introduced as her mother turned and looked surprised, until her face became that of mischief
"My so this is the boy that you won't stop talking about huh. Hello Ash, my name's Caroline Maple"
After waiting a few more minutes Leaf and Gary finally came, with May's mother commenting about how cute a couple they were. That was a funny moment since Leaf full on denied it and Gary for some reason tripped and fell onto a bowl of water
Dinner was great and awkward at the same time, but none of that mattered since it seemed May's family didn't care if we weren't popular, they just wanted her to have friends that truly cared for her
Of course, like always, something was bound to go wrong for Ash one way or another
Who expect me to update so quickly after posting chapter 10? Raise your hands people! ^^ Anyway I just got the inspiration to continue and also cause I'm like this close to finishing the story too! Basically this is a filler chapter, since it's setting up the final chapter which is the next one :) I have the plot and cover page set up for the sequel so one more and book 1 will be complete. Also some May and Ash moments here for all you advanceshippers ;)
P.S. sorry if it seems rushed with the whole Ash, Leaf and Gary meeting May's family, but I based it off on how my mom sometimes want to know alot about my new friends when I mention them and went with that
P.S.S. Red has made a slight appearance in that of a flashback after much consideration on whether he should have made a cameo or appearance