Chapter Two
In the snowy mountains of Johtto, Mt. Silver stood above all if them a symbol of natures fury and extremely powerful pokemon. On a ledge over looking the mountains below stood four figures, the first was a tall man covered in a log black cloak to shield him from the storms and a hood that completely hid his face, his eyes focused and determined, the second figure was a jackal like pokemon who stood on two legs by the mans side, the third was a white cat like pokemon, and lastly a small yellow mouse perched on the mans shoulder. The four of them staired into the distance sharing the same thought. The man spoke in a deep calming voice, "I guess its time to leave this place and return home. We've trained everywhere we can and done everything in our power to finish our goals. What do you three say, are we ready?"
"Pi pika pika!!!!" the rodent exclaimed while pumping his fist.
"I'm with you until the end Ash." said Meowth with a smile.
"I'll follow you to ends of the world master." the jackal pokemon replied with a small smile.
The man let out a small sigh, "Lucario I've told you not to call me master, we're partners." Lucario looked at the man with a smirk and merely shrugged. The man slowly shook his head with a smile. "Well I guess its time look out world Ash Ketchum is coming back and I will not lose!!" with that the man threw back his hood revealing long wild raven black hair, chocolate brown eyes that seem to burn with a fire of confidence. Gone was the young face, the z's on his cheeks were slightly covered by a thick jet black beard, a small scar could be seen starting above is right eye and ending part way down his cheek. "Charizard come out old friend." he called as he tossed the poke ball in the air. He was answered by a loud roar and a flame thrower to the face. Ash just laughed as he wiped his face clean, "Ok buddy its time lets go home and show everyone what we can do." The large lizard launched a fire blast into the sky, which was followed by a thunder bolt causing them to explode into red lighting bolts. With that Ash climbed onto Charzard while Pikachu sat upon his head. "Lucario, Meowth I know you two hate this but return until we get home." The duo nodded as they were sucked back into the red and white sphere. "Ok bud show me how fast you can fly, TO PALETTE TOWN!!" With a mighty flap of his wings the shot into the air in the blink of an eye and just like that they were in their way home.
Palette Town Ketchum House
Excitement seem to fill the air and the town of Palette was buzzing with anticipation. Trainers of all kinds from league winners, to champions, grand festival winners, frontier brains, and even the newly crowned Kalos Queen Serena and her fiance The Electric Wiz Kid gym leader Clermont and his energetic little sister Bonnie (more on this later) had come to the small town. There were Coordinators of all skill level from every region and many professors had showed up. Today was a big day it was the wedding day of Dawn Berlitz and Paul Slade. About two and half years after Ash disappeared Paul proposed to Dawn deciding it was time to finally marry his long time girlfriend and maybe start a family. Even though they were both from Sinnoh they decided on Palette Town because of the small town feel, beautiful landscape, and that they had both spent much time in the small town lately. They planned for a long time waiting so all their friends could be there and hoping a certain raven haired trainer would come home. All the preparations were done down to the smallest detail, and the day had finally came.
At the Ketchum house the girls were in the final stages of makeup and hair while helping Dawn stay calm. She couldn't believe how fast the two and half years seem to fly and she was finally going to marry her best friend. Everyone was just finishing touching up when Misty noticed May was absent from the group. She slipped out of the room and up the stairs to a familiar bedroom. "May you in there?" Misty called out.
"Yeah I am, come in Misty." May replied back.
"You doing ok?" the orange haired gym leader asked.
"Yeah I'm alright, its just hard to believe its been almost five years since anyone has seen him." the brunette coordinator said with a soft sad tone.
"I know what you mean May. We were all so shocked when he disappeared, but you and I both know he would never break a promise to us. He'll be back and then he'll have to answer to us." Misty said with a mischievous smile.
Shudder* "Did you feel something Pi?" Ash asked Pikachu over the wind "Pi."(No) he replies. "Hmm wierd." Ash said back.
"You're right Misty, he better be prepared for a smack down." May chuckled as they walked out of the bedroom. With one last look back, May rested her hand on her heart. 'I know you'll come back Ash just don't wait too much longer.'
Meanwhile in the home of Blue and Leaf Oak (Gary's parents) the guys were getting ready joking with Paul about his wild and free days coming to an end, which he just replied with his classic stoic look. The atmosphere seemed more relaxed than the girls given that there wasn't make up or too much hair involved. As the guys laughed and joked they noticed Gary kinda staring off into space. "EARTH TO GARY!!!" shouted Brock which snapped Gary out of his daze.
"What are you yelling for Brock I'm right next to you." Gary snapped while rubbing his ear.
"You were totally zoned out man it kinda weirded us out. What were you so deep in thought about? Was it that red headed fire cracker you've got?" Paul teasingly asked with a light laugh.
"Haha smart ass, I was thinking of someone though." Gary said with an elbow to the purple haired trainer's ribs.
"Ash." the room said in unison.
"Yeah, sorry I don't mean to be a downer on days like today." Gary said while rubbing his arm, hoping they'd buy his act.
"Don't worry my friend I'm sure he'll return and complete our spicy recipe once more." Cilian said with a pull of his bowtie. Everyone in the room sweat dropped at this, most of their thoughts were 'I have no clue what he says most of the time.'
Gary smiled to himself knowing the big surprise coming today.
Flashback.
Gary was just finishing the last touches on his final thesis to become an official Pokemon Professor. Just as he was about to get up for bed the video phone rang. He answered and was greeted by a face covered in hair and a dark hood. "Hello there Mr. Homeless, its been a little while since I last seen that purdy face." Gary said in a teasing voice.
"Gary are you ever gonna stop being a smart alec? Also sorry about that service here is spotty at best." The hooded man replied with a smirk.
"Maybe one day Ashy-boy, probably when I run out of things to tease you about. Now to what pleasure do I owe this phone call?" Gary asked while taking a sip of water.
"Gary my pokemon and I decided we've done all we can do here. Its time to come home and see what we can do in a league." As Ash said coming home Gary spit his water out and coughed as he looked in disbelief.
"Ash you really mean it? You're finally coming home?" Gary asked in a hushed shocked voice as not to wake his grandpa.
"You seemed so shocked old friend, I promised I'd come home when I was ready and I never break a promise to my friends." Ash said with a hearty laugh.
"Its not that, bud its just perfect timing if you're fast enough." Gary explained, seeing Ash's confused face he continued, "Tomorrow is Dawn and Paul's wedding at your mom's house" he finished.
"Well then i guess its perfect timing to come home isn't it, everyone will be there to beat on me. Its about time they tied the knot its been two and a half years since he asked her." Ash said with a chuckle. "By the way how are things with Zoey going?"
"They're going well man. You know I need to thank you, if you hadn't disappeared me and her would have never met." Gary said stifling a yawn.
"Err.. you're welcome I guess." said Ash as he rubbed the back of his head, "You seem beat man I'll let you gey to bed. I'll see you tomorrow then. What time does the ceremony begin so I don't interrupt it."
"It starts at noon on the dot so don't be late." Gary answered while standing and stretching.
"Ok noon we'll definitely be there before then." Ash stated with confidence.
"Sounds good Ash be safe on your way here. See you soon." with that the screen went black.
End flashback
After this they started having small talk as the moved outside and continued down the road to where they had set up for the ceremony to take place alongside Delia's flower garden. As the reached the garden something caught Gary's attention.
Twenty minutes earlier...
"Charizard land in the woods just past the Oak's house ok buddy." Ash said to his faithful fire type. They landed silently in the trees with no one noticing. "Ok now i just have to get Gary's attention to let him know we're here without spoiling Dawn and Paul's big day with our unannounced arrival. Pi think you're fast enough not to be seen except by Gary?" The small mouse looked slightly angry and annoyed that his trainer question his speed. His reply was to vanish leaving a small dust cloud behind as he sped off towards to young researcher.
Gary just caught a small yellow blur out of the corner of his eye as it vanished into the shadows of the trees. His gaze fell upon a dark figure just at the edge of the shadows. He gave a small grin and barely noticeable nod as the figure moved back onto the darkness of the trees. 'This should be interesting' Gary thought. Moments later he heard an annoyed voice arguing with a slightly angry arrogant voice.
"Drew what are you even doing here? I know you don't like either Dawn or Paul." asked a visibly annoyed May.
"Simple, I'm here to tell you to give up on that pathetic loser Ketchum ever coming back and that you should go out with a real champion like me." replied Drew while he flicked his green hair out of his face.
"Drew even if you were the last man on earth I would never go out with you and for your information Ash is a thousand times the trainer you'll ever be." May angrily said with fire in her eyes.
"You know she's right you know, Ash is light years ahead of you in every way." Gary chimed in as he stepped next to May. "I would also suggest you stop running your mouth before it gets you hurt."
"Ooo big bad researcher thinks he's tough. You're just as pathetic as Ketchum." Drew said smugly.
"How about you back your talk up bitch I'll mop the floor with you with no problems." Gary said through gritted teeth as he drew a poke ball from his belt.
"Boys thats enough." came a stern voice from behind them. It belonged to Delia Ketchum, "The ceremony is about to begin May, Gary you need to get into position and you young man should go take a seat." Drew just shrugged as he walked off, while Gary glared daggers at him 'just wait punk Ash will destroy you.'
"Thank you Gary, he wouldn't leave me alone." May said with a hug.
"No worries May I look after my friends. Now lets hurry and get in line." Gary said as they moved to the tent with all their friends waiting to start.
Ash picked a good vantage point where he could stay out of sight but still see everything. As the music began Paul wearing a jet black tux led Johanna in a light yellow dress to her seat, at the next sight Ash felt a tug at his heart seeing May in a sapphire blue dress (he's still dense and doesn't understand what his feelings mean) walking down the isle with Reggie by her side in a deep purple tux, they were followed by Misty in an ocean blue dress with Brock in a dark grey tux. Following them came Zoey in a fire red dress and Gary in a silver tux. Finally came Iris in black dress with Cilan in a traditional tux and green bowtie. Tracy was taking pictures of everything. Everyone stood as Dawn came out in a pearl white dress escorted by Professor Oak in a crimson red tux. They reached the altar where Paul stood with a smile, which made Ash chuckle as he had always just seen a smirk on his face.
The ceremony went well as the couple said there vows, Ash couldn't help but be happy for his friends getting married. After the ceremony ended Tracy started posing people for pictures. As he gathered the girls, Gary took a moment to lean against a tree in the shade when he heard a deep calm voice behind him, "They look happy over there don't they."
"Good hell Ash are you trying to kill me." Gary muttered while clutching his chest and trying not to draw attention his direction.
Ash chuckled, "Sorry about that. I'm just staying hidden until later when things wind down a bit "
"Just don't do that again its creepy how quite you are." Gary said. Just then a voice called out, "Gary its the guys turn for pictures, get over here"
"I guess thats my que, gotta go Ash see you in a few. By the way its good to have you back." Gary said over his shoulder as he headed towards thr group of men.
"Its good to be back." Ash said to himself. Just as he turned he heard the sound of a slap and a pained cry to his left. "Come on Pi let's see what's happened." as he ran through the brush.
