Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of Pokemon, its characters, locations, or names. All of them, with the exception of original characters, ideas, and places, belong to Nintendo.

Credits: Vanika, Silvanus, and all locations involving Nara belong to me.

AN: Parts of this chapter crack me up. Even though it shouldn't, it did, and continues to do so. XD I even start feeling bad for Ash at some point, but that...usually doesn't last long. Haha. So, go get your snacks and drinks, grab a pillow, and read and review. 8D

Warning: Even though it isn't in this chapter (or even in the first few chapters), there is a semi-adult scene or two later on. Rawr. Don't read those parts if you don't like it.

- Chapter Four: Wicker City Mayhem -

"What do you mean?" May asked, staring the female reptile in the eyes. It was morning, and the air was crisp and fresh. Everything outside was in a state of wetness, with dew covering the ground, the leaves, and rocks. "I've never been out before!"

This is the perfect time for you to see what it is like in the city, where humans live. With three escorts, you will be safer then if it was just Silvanus and I. Vanika tilted her head, wings furling and unfurling on her back. May crouched down, mimicking the dragon, and frowned. "But Vanika-" Do not 'but Vanika' me. You surely do not want to stay here forever? Surely, you would at least want to take this chance to witness what happens between groups of humans like yourself?

"I dunno…" Vanika 'smiled', getting a brilliant idea when she spotted Pikachu coming toward them at a quick trot; the yellow Pokemon had taken an instant liking to the creature. Or, she suggested, slyly, you could go watch that young friend of yours when he gets that 'badge'…I am positive he would like the company and the motivation.

"Oh, but, what if…" May took Pikachu onto her lap, loosely hanging on him as she rocked back and forth. "What if that isn't the case…what if they don't…"

"Chaaaa." Pikachu lifted his chin, letting her scratch him softly. "Pikachu, pika." That will not be the case, Vanika said firmly, watching girl and Pokemon both, You'll go?

May nodded, not noticing her adoptive 'mother's laugh.

- - -

On the trek through the forest, it was almost totally quiet. Most of them where lost in their own thoughts, and knew not to bother the others if they had something they suddenly wanted to say.

It took an exceedingly short amount of time to come up to the outside limits of the city. Resembling Cerulean City and Indigo City in Kanto with its tall buildings and bustling streets, it seemed like an almost living entity. May edged back, her head down but still looking at the place she had never seen in the ten years she had spent in the Wicker Maiden Forest.

"It's too big." Vanika and Silvanus, surprisingly, didn't show themselves like expected. Frowning, Misty turned to the younger girl, who had started shivering.

"It only looks like it is. When we get in, it'll seem a lot smaller," she said. She looked pointedly at Ash and Brock, her mouth set in a grim line. "Brock, you said you needed to go get food for the Pokemon, so go do that. And as for you-" Misty put her hands on her hips, turning to the black-haired boy. "You should go to the Gym, and get your badge while May and I go get some new clothes-"

"NO!" May yelled, startling the trio. They jumped. "I want to see that Gym thing, I want to-"

She cut herself off, realizing what she had been about to say and turning a bright pink in embarrassment. There was an awkward silence, until Ash snapped his fingers, gaining their attention. "How about this for a plan," he suggested, "I go with you shopping, and then go to the Gym, since you want to go with so badly."

Misty threw her arms up mumbling under her breath, as May nodded, smiling widely. She ran and jumped, forcing Ash to haphazardly catch her, doing a clumsy spin on his heel. "Thaaaank yooouu," she said, as they ogled at her in amazement.

Shrugging helplessly, Ash just smiled back; there was no point in starting a lecture on why to not jump someone unexpectedly when all it would do is make her depressed on getting it 'wrong.' Ignoring the disapproving looks he was getting from both Misty and Brock, he gently set her on her feet. "Let's get this done with, so we aren't keeping Vanika and Silvanus waiting too long."

As May started to run off, Misty quickly grabbed hold of Ash's arm, keeping him from following. "Go with her," she said to Brock, before turning her stony glare back to him, "as for you…what the hell are you thinking? First you wonder off, staying out in the woods for hours on end, then you start pulling stunts like this just to get a smile out of her!"

Ash jerked out of her grip, rubbing the sore flesh gingerly. "You make that sound like a bad thing."

Rolling her eyes, Misty sighed, digging in her mind for a way to word what she had to say without setting off the teenager's temper. "Ash, it's just, you know…all you are really doing is setting yourself up to be hurt."

"And why, O Mistress of Knowledge, is that?" Misty scowled, hearing the blatant sarcasm in his voice.

"Don't get smart now. You know just as well as I do that we can't stick around here forever. You have a tournament to participate in, I have a gym waiting in Kanto, and so does Brock." Ash stared at her, blinking, before he finally shrugged and shouldered past her.

"Maybe so, but none of us have been in a hurry, not until now." Ash pointed out, "All of a sudden, you've been all about getting out of here and going on our way. Why?"

"Because we are in a hurry! You only have a few more weeks to get the final five badges, and it will take a good few days between each town just to get to the Gyms." Misty answered, following close behind, "It has nothing to do with Vanika or Silvanus, and it certainly has nothing to do with May! If it wasn't for the time, I'd agree that it'd be nice to stay around here for awhile, but until the tournament is over-"

"Never mind it, Misty. Can we talk about this later?" he asked warily, looking toward Brock and May, both of which were looking back in their direction curiously. The redhead frowned, but nodded her consent as they neared the two. "So what is the plan? Where do we go first?"

"Well, I think it might be nice to get some new clothes and trinkets." Misty smiled, the atmosphere lightening up considerably at the statement. "So, how about we just walk around and see where we end up?"

"Sounds good to me," Brock said, as Ash nodded. All in agreement, they started into the loud streets of the city.

- - -

Once in the heart of the city, things where much less crowded. Walking along the sidewalk, they watched the people surrounding them, all of them talking or doing some window shopping in the commercial district. May stopped, pausing to peer into the frosted window of a jewelry and glass shop with an idle curiosity. "What are these?" she asked, pointing at the thin chain that was suspending the crystal pendant by the small loop.

"That's a necklace," Misty replied, opening the door to the inside, "Come on, there are more in here."

"Ohhhhh!" The door made a tinkling sound from the bell that was connected to it, as they entered. The inside consisted of row after row of glass show cabinets, holding a variety of jewelry; necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings….. "What are these? And these? And what about these?"

After much explaining about the concept of the jewels, May wondered off, enthralled with the glittering things that took up all of the store. Looking at Brock, who just shrugged and grinned impishly, Ash ran after her; the last thing they needed was for something to be broken accidentally.

Near the back of the store, there were four people: May, the shopkeeper – who looked rather disgruntled, at least to Ash – and then a couple that were looking into the case that held the engagement rings. "What types are these?" she asked, getting a scowl out of the shopkeeper.

"Madam, this is a place where you buy jewelry, not where you learn about different gemstones." May, looking rather surprised at the sour reply, quickly edged backward, and right into Ash. As the shopkeeper went back to attending the couple, she turned to look at him, blushing.

"I'm sorry," she said, just as quickly stepping away from him. As Ash was about to try to assure her that it was all right, there was a high pitched squeal as the woman that had been looking at the engagement rings hugged her would-be husband.

"Oh, I love it! It is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen!" The blonde had a huge grin, as the man slipped it onto her finger, the small diamond sparkling. As he wrote out the check that would pay for it, she admired the stone that sparkled in the light of one of the lamps, checking out the faces of the crystal with the utmost love and respect she had for her fiancée.

When the purchase was finished, they started out of the store, holding hands and talking to each other as they went. "They look happy." May commented, as the shopkeeper stalked past, "What were they doing though?"

"That's called holding hands…it's kinda like a way to be close to someone you like," Ash said. As May nodded and went back toward the front of the store to where Misty and Brock where, the shopkeeper came forward.

"What is wrong with that child?" he asked incredulously. Ash glared at him; he flinched.

"Nothing is wrong with her." Jerkily, the young man wound his way around the cases, not bothering to look back at the wide-eyed elder.

- - -

Out in the sunshine again, their next stop was at a small clothing boutique that was just down the street. It smelled strongly of perfume and chocolate; Ash couldn't help gagging from the shock effect it had, along with May and Brock. Misty seemed rather used to it, and started to shuffle through the racks immediately.

Once she had stopped having to cover her face, May followed Misty around, looking at whatever the elder girl pulled out. "This is the joy of having girls around," Ash said.

Brock snickered. "You are the one that said you'd come with," he pointed out, getting elbowed for the effort.

"I know! That doesn't mean I can't say anything though." They went silent again, looking around in stifling boredom. Ash leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms across his chest to wait, when he heard Misty's exasperated voice say, "No, no, you go in there! See…"

Rubbing his eyes, he wondered what mischief they were getting up to when something – or, more accurately, someone – came up and started tugging at him. Ash heard Brock whistle, a low and melodic sound, and peeked out from between his fingers to see what exactly was the reason for it.

Bouncing on her heels, May stood pulling on his arm excitedly, her green eyes wide and bright. "Lookit what Misty picked out for me!"

Ash wondered, suddenly, whether the red-haired gym leader knew just how to torture someone. Instead of the slightly worn combination skirt, shorts and shirt, she wore a light blue spaghetti-strap sundress that went to about knee-length, and that flattered her figure nicely. Giving her a strained smile, Ash waved her off to go look around some more. "I think I'm going to need that cold lake water after this trip," he admitted darkly, after she had gone to find Misty again.

"That's what happens…" the older male said, holding back from laughing at his suffering friend. It would certainly be a long morning for him, that much Brock could tell.

- - -

Once again finished, they started out. May hopped and skipped about, wearing her new dress instead of the old clothing from before, and obviously happy and content. Stopping suddenly, she turned, tilting her head to the side. "Can we get lunch?" she asked.

Ash looked at Misty, then at Brock; none of them had thought about finding a place to eat, nor that they would even need to up until then. "Well, if we can find a restaurant or something, yeah," he replied.

Hungry? Silvanus' deeper voice asked in their minds. May started spinning around, looking for him amongst the crowds of people. I believe there are some of those places where you get food the next square over.

"Thanks, Silvanus," Brock said, as the spirit that was Silvanus faded away. "Let's go see if he was right."

Within a few minutes, they were standing at the end of another street. This one was lined with more stores and restaurants, the occasional café or coffeehouse, along with bars and pubs. "Which one?" May asked, her eyes wide from seeing so many different places that had food, "I want fish."

"…you want fish. Right then…um…what do you think?" Misty shrugged, looking up at the signs as they passed them. "Let's try this one, and hope they have some."

In all actuality, most of them didn't. It took several minutes to get to one that had not only fish, but also a variety of other things to eat. Taking seats around one of the outside tables – which was rather more trouble then they thought it would be, since May hadn't actually sat in a normal chair in years - the waitress gave them all menus and walked away.

"Can I get this?" May pointed at her menu, looking up expectantly at Ash for an answer. Not bothering to take his eyes off his own, he nodded.

"Just order whatever you want." Brock said, "It's our treat."

"'Our treat'?" She looked confused.

"If someone says it's their treat, that means they are paying for it so you don't have to," Ash clarified. By the time he had finished talking, the waitress had returned to take their orders, pen and pad in hand. It took only moments for her to take them, run into the building, then come back out with the plates. When she was done, she went on to the next table, leaving them to their own lunches.

"So, where exactly do we have to go next?" Misty asked, watching May poke at her shrimp with the fork and obviously struggling with it. "Just stab them with it, they'll stay on."

"We still need supplies for the Pokemon, so we should go to the Center and whatever shops they have that sell food and medicine for them," the other gym leader replied.

"Then do we go to that other place?" May asked, taking Misty's suggestion and finally getting to eat her lunch, "That gym?"

"Pokemon Gym, and yeah, we are going there too." Ash leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms across his chest. "This one is for Ground mainly, isn't it?"

Brock nodded, as they continued to discuss the oncoming battle all the way through the rest of lunch. When the check was paid for and they were back on the streets, May stayed back from the others, mostly inwardly focused on her thoughts.

The trip to the Center took longer then anticipated, because of having to explain how the healing machinery worked and what it was for, but before they knew it they stood in front of the tall walls of the Pokemon Gym ready for the badge battle. "Ohhh, so what do you do here?" May asked, putting a hand up to trace the designs on the heavy door.

"It's like an arena where you have to fight, and when you win you are given a Badge…which is like a ranking item," the male gym leader explained. May's eyes widened as she wheeled around to look at Ash.

"What if you get hurt? Couldn't you die?" The three companions looked at each other, then each one shook their heads.

"No, because I'm not the one doing the fighting. My pokemon do, not me," Ash said, "and it's rare that one dies from a Pokemon Battle." With a reassuring smile, he pushed the doors open and entered.