Chapter 3 Early Reunion
Ash Brock and Dawn all arrived in the Kanto region at sunrise as their ferry entered the port of Vermillion City. Ash, Brock, and Pikachu all took deep breathes.
"We're back home!" Ash said. "Good to be breathing in that Kanto air!"
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed.
"I'll say, no matter how many regions we go to there's no place like home!" Brock said.
"Wow, this is such a lovely city!" Dawn said as they began walking off the plank.
"Lets head to the Pokemon center for breakfast, then we'll hit the road," Brock said.
"Alright!" Ash and Dawn agreed as they began to walk off the ship.
…
May and Max woke up in their room in the Vermillion city Pokemon Center to their mother knocking on their door. Caroline then opened the door and saw her children still in bed.
"Max, May! Better get up if you want to have breakfast!" she said.
May yawned. The Maple family had been on a ship here yesterday and arrived late last night. They'd decided to spend the night and hit the road in the morning.
"Just a little longer," May mumbled.
"You better not be thinking of going back to sleep! The sooner we leave the sooner we get to Pallet Town!" Caroline said as she walked over to her daughter. "Then you can see Ash!"
That got May's attention! She grinned widely and jumped out of bed. But as she did so, Caroline grinned. May blushed heavily, realizing that her mother must have figured out her crush.
"Looks like someone is more eager to see Ash!" Caroline said.
Max yawned as he slowly got out of bed as well. He was still groggy and didn't seem to notice his sister's reaction.
"I'll use the shower first."
"Uh, don't take too long!" May said.
"Yeah yeah, I'll just put on some shampoo and get out!" Max said.
As he went into the shower to use it first, Caroline looked back at her daughter with a smile.
"So, you like Ash now huh?"
May nodded. "I kind of did ever since I met him. But… he was a couple years older so..."
"I understand dear. You were young as well. So… tell me everything."
"You don't disapprove do you?" May asked.
Caroline shook her head. "Well I can't speak for your father. He's always been a uneasy about the idea of you dating. But I remember all those letters you'd send me to inform me of your travels. Dear Mom, Ash is working hard for his rematch with Brawley, he actually saved me a couple times in the last few days. Dear Mom I had a scary flight with a Scarmory that took me to a place with aggressive grass pokemon, but don't worry I'm alright. Ash found me."
Caroline grinned. "Seems you've had quite a bit of dangerous experiences. Ash certainly looked out for you when you guys were together."
"Yeah," May nodded again. "Its kind of embarrassing though. I must have the worst luck when it came to safety back then."
"Well you're still a strong trainer," Caroline said. "Maybe this is just a sign you two are meant to be together."
An image entered May's head of her in a white dress standing next to Ash in a tux.
"Maybe," she said.
"Oh honey, I know it must have been hard with what happened with Drew. I thought you two would have been a good couple. But I'd say Ash is much more trustworthy."
"I hope so," May said.
"You traveled with him for nearly two years," Caroline said. "Has he ever done anything to hurt you?"
May shook her head. "Not really. I mean we had a couple arguments here and there. One nearly tore us apart but we made up. He's never even shown any romantic interest in anyone else."
"Well, I think you should seize this chance!" Caroline said.
Max soon got of the shower and it was May's turn. After she was done the Maple family sat down at a table in the Pokemon Center for breakfast.
"I must say, it feels good to travel again," Norman said. "Been so long since I've had the opportunity to get out and about working at the Gym."
"Yes… sometimes I miss the days we'd be young and exploring the world," Caroline said as she grasped her husband's hand.
Suddenly the door to the Center opened and inside stepped a group of three familiar people. Or at least, all three of which were familiar to May. A boy in a black and yellow vest over a white shirt, a red and black cap with a blue pokeball design on the front, a Pikachu perched on his shoulder. An older boy in a green and orange jacket, and a girl in a black shirt and pink skirt with yellow hair ornaments carrying a Piplup in her arms.
"Hey look May! Its Ash and Brock!" Max said pointing. "And that must be Dawn, the girl you mentioned!"
"Well what are the odds of that?" Norman asked. "We expect to find them in Pallet Town and we cross paths at the same Pokemon Center!"
"We must be… really lucky," May said.
"Well gone on and say hello," Caroline told her daughter.
"Uh… right."
May and Max got up as Ash and his friends were now speaking with Nurse Joy.
"Oh Nurse Joy! Its been far too long since I've laid eyes on one of you from Kanto!" Brock said with hearts in his eyes.
"Looks like someone needs an ear pull!" Max said with a dark aura seeming to surround him and his fingers twitching.
Only for a purple froglike Pokemon to beat him too it with a poison jab. Brock grunted in pain and fell over as Crogunk dragged him off.
"Ah someone took over my job!" Max said.
"Well someone has to keep Brock in line," May said.
She then walked up behind him.
"Ash?"
…
Ash froze at the sound of that voice. Slowly he turned around and saw her. May Maple, the girl he'd met just over three years ago when she'd started out on her journey. The first time they'd actually introduced themselves she'd been hiding a plant she'd nearly caused to hit the floor behind her back. Kind of cute, he remembered thinking, as though I'm so dense I'm not gonna notice that.
"May!" Ash exclaimed.
She smiled at him, a gorgeous smile he thought. She'd always been a bit cute. She was older now too. When he'd first met her, she'd been a ten year-old trainer just starting out on her journey like he had long ago. Of course even as dense as he was he knew ten and twelve (nearly thirteen) were not good ages to get involved romantically with someone. He'd also just split from Misty, his first ever female companion. Not exactly ready to pursue someone like that. She'd been a good friend, and she grown into a formidable and talented Coordinator, with some help from him. She'd been his student in a way, just like he'd been that for Misty and Brock.
"Ash," she said again as though she were dreaming.
Ash failed to notice. Though Caroline did, and so did Norman. Caroline smiled, while Norman frowned.
"May! Oh its so great to see you!" Dawn said as she looked and saw her fellow Coordinator.
"Yeah. Great to see you too Dawn," May said.
"Hey! Don't forget about me!" Max said as he walked up alongside his sister.
"Max!" Ash said.
"Pika!" Pikachu greeted.
"Wow. It's been a long time Max! You must have grown half a foot since I last saw you!" Brock asked as he walked over to his youngest friend.
"Yeah I've gotten a bit taller," Max said. "Though you look about the same! Especially with girl hunting!"
Brock only replied with a nervous chuckle.
"The whole Hoenn gang is back together again!" Ash said as he held his hand out.
May and Max immediately put their hands over his, followed by Brock. The four friends were together again. Caroline and Dawn both watched with smiles as they saw the friendly exchange. Though Norman had a slight frown on his face as he looked from his daughter to Ash.
Well, the reunion has happened already. I thought it would make sense for them to both arrive in Vermillion city as that is the main port town as far as I know. Though I did have a little difficulty in writing this to get the timing down. Started out last night when I wrote some of the scene I was wondering if it work out. Cause in the final episode of Diamond and Pearl, Ash and Brock left on their ship when it was sunset, but I did establish that May and her family left in the morning. I know I don't need to have it the same as canon since this is a fanfic but I wanted to keep some things as closely related. Hope you guys like it. Please review! I'm definitely having Norman play the role of an overprotective dad here to try and create drama.