Chapter 25 Uniting Trainers and Hearts
Well I think it might be time to have Ash and May finally make some progress here. It might be overdue but ah well better late then never. I've also considered doing a fanfic of retelling the advanced generation story with them getting together then, though they would be the same age in that scenario, though older then canon at 13 instead of 10 like they never age past. They'll have a long awaited talk here I think. Though this might go on longer then what I had in mind a while back. We'll see. Enjoy at share your thoughts even if they are negative.
"A Pokemon Trainer alliance?" Brock repeated.
"Yes, Team Rocket has attacked other areas around our world and we will need the assistance of every trainer willing to help out and stop them," Professor Oak said. "Well I think it would be a good idea to host another of my Pokemon talk shows."
After a phone call to the Saffron News requesting to be put on set immediately a squad of TV reporters showed up just five minutes later.
"Hello everyone! I usually perform these talk shows to educate young aspiring trainers about Pokemon. But today I have an emergency announcement in regards to what has been happening across various regions. As you know, the nefarious Team Rocket have been attacking our cities! They are a threat to people and Pokemon everywhere! We must stop them. What I am asking you all to do could very well be dangerous, but if we want to keep our pokemon safe we must take action! I'm proposing we create a Pokemon Trainer Alliance. Everyone please report to the nearest gym leader to you in whichever region you live in if you are willing to fight for the world we share with pokemon and do not wish for it to be taken over by a group of evil doers like Team Rocket!"
The message was heard by thousands of trainers across the world.
"Well hopefully this will get a lot of trainers all over the world to be gathered together and be able to repel any other attacks by Team Rocket," Professor Oak said.
"Professor, what about those young trainers there behind you?" the reporter asked pointing to Ash and his friends who were standing behind Professor Oak.
"I would like to assure you that these young trainers are good people. They were hypnotized by Team Rocket and are not responsible for the destruction that they or their pokemon committed," Professor Oak said. "Please do not blame them or anyone else that was hypnotized during any attacks. The ones who freely commit these crimes are the true bad guys. Now if you'll excuse me I must go to the Pokemon center."
The kids followed the Professor toward the Pokemon center. As they did so though.
"I better get back to Viridian city, they need me there," Viridian Jenny said. "And Ash, my offer about you joining the police still stands."
Ash smiled. "I'll keep it in mind."
May looked at him. If one Jenny was gone, especially the one that seemed hellbent on keeping them apart then maybe she could-
"Professor Oak, cousin, I hope you'll take care of these kids and keep from getting into trouble. Especially those two," she pointed to Ash and May.
May hissed. This was getting so annoying! So she was just a couple years younger then Ash! She knew what she felt for him. If she had to wait seven months she would, but Misty was around as well! If she didn't at least try she might lose him to her. She had to do something.
But there was also her parents and Ash's mom as well. Both them and Max were worried.
"With all due respect Officer Jenny, May is only two and a half years younger then Ash."
"The law is the law," Viridian Jenny said. "A thirteen-year-old and fifteen year old can't get together. I don't make the rules okay, I just enforce them."
"Sorry cousin, but with all that's going I think I need to focus on enforcing the law," Saffron Jenny said. "I'm going back to the station after this."
"Then it will have to be up to you and the young men there, Professor," Jenny said to Oak, Brock, and Tracy.
"Me?" Brock exclaimed. "Um… sure anything for you Officer Jenny!"
"Umm, I don't know-"
May sighed while Ash facepalmed. Brock would do just about anything for Jenny! The two officers left to return to their stations. Now only Professor Oak, Brock, and Tracy were the adults in their party. May looked at Ash, maybe now would be the time to talk. She wasn't sure if Professor Oak would allow it but she had to try.
…
There weren't a whole lot of trainers in the Pokemon Center. Many had fled following the attack. They looked at Ash and the others with a mixture of expressions, some frowning others sympathetic. They didn't talk to anyone there as they walked, most of the group was tired from the whole ordeal. They could only wait until Professor Oak devised a plan and the Alliance was put together.
They set themselves into their rooms, May, Dawn and Misty in one, and the four boys another.
"I need a walk," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu said looking at his trainer.
"Worried about your mom huh Ash?" Max asked.
Ash nodded.
"I'm worried about mine too, and Dad," Max went on.
"We'll get them back," Brock said.
"Yeah. Professor Oak will come up with something in no time I'm sure!" Tracy said.
Ash nodded. "Yeah. I hope so."
He and Pikachu walked out into the hallway of the bedrooms. As they did, Ash saw a welcome face. May was making her way out toward the lobby of the center. Ash watched her moving for a second then called-
"Hey May!"
She looked over her shoulder.
"Oh hey Ash," she said.
"Where you going?" Ash asked.
"For a walk, I need to clear my head," she said.
"Yeah I know. I was about to go outside too," Ash said.
May blushed. "Would you mind… walking with me? I need to talk to you."
Ash nodded. "Yeah I think we need to talk."
"Pikachu?" Pikachu asked gesturing with his head in the other direction.
"Yeah I think we might need some alone time buddy. Go on," Ash said.
Pikachu scurried off in the other direction to give the two some privacy. Ash and May headed toward the front of the center, they were silent. May felt the words on her tongue but they didn't seem to want to come out.
"Sneaking off somewhere are you two?" a familiar voice said behind them.
Both teenagers felt chills go down their spines as they looked back and saw Professor Oak.
"Um… hi Professor we were just going to go out for a walk and-"May started speaking while fidgeting with her fingers.
"May you don't need to worry about me trying to keep you two apart!" Professor Oak said. "I say you two would make a lovely couple!"
"Um… couple?" Ash repeated.
"Ash, you've never been one for romance have you?" Professor Oak said.
Ash shook his head. "No. At least, I'm no expert on it."
That was the truth. Ash had never really been concerned with romance, he hardly ever thought of girls with very few exceptions. His primary interest had always been collecting badges and training pokemon.
"Well I say you two should have a walk. Of course if you get in trouble I can't bail you out," Oak said waving his finger.
"So we can go?" May asked.
"Yes, love is a subject of a great many poems. Perhaps I will make after you two!" Oak smiled.
May smiled while Ash just looked confused.
"Come on Ash!" she said, her nervousness turning to excitement.
They walked outside and found a spot that was mostly deserted. Night had fallen over Saffron and the city was lit up brightly.
May turned and looked at him. "Ash I… I know you know this already but-"
Ash smiled lightly at her. "Yeah, Misty said it too. You both like me."
"Yeah. I've liked you for a long time. You taught me how to love pokemon back when we first met and I got my Torchic. Seeing how much you cared for Pikachu back then, that was when it all changed for me. You remember how I said I used to hate Pokemon?"
"Yeah!" Ash said recalling the memory and blushing. "Can I tell you something?"
She nodded with a nervous chuckle.
"Back when we first met… well when we introduced ourselves I guess since we met when Pikachu was throwing electricity everywhere."
"And my bike was destroyed!" May laughed.
They both laughed as they recalled meeting each other when Pikachu had been ill and throwing electricity everywhere. They hadn't had time for a proper introduction until May came and-
"Remember how you came in and caused a plant to fall then hid it behind your back?" Ash asked.
"Yeah. I wanted to try and avoid looking like a clumsy girl when I introduced myself to you. When I got a good look at you I thought you were kind of… handsome," May said.
Ash blushed. "Really?"
She nodded and fidgeted with her fingers.
"You know when I saw you and we properly introduced ourselves, I thought it was kinda cute how you hid the plant behind your back. Like I wouldn't notice that."
May giggled again. "Yeah, even you're not that dense."
There was a moment of silence.
"So you think I'm cute?"
Ash nodded. "Yeah. I never really tried to ask you out or anything cause I was focused on the gyms in Hoenn. And you were ten back then. But we've been through so much together and I came to care about you a lot."
May blushed. "Ash."
"Though, I'm not sure about the whole crush thing. I've never exactly understood romance," Ash said.
May nodded. "I know. But I know this as well. I don't care that you're just two years older then me! I know how I feel about you Ash. You've always been there for me, taught me when I needed guidance, protected me when I was in danger, and supported me through our journeys. I love you."
"May," Ash said looking at her.
She suddenly threw her arms around him in a tight hug. Ash slowly returned the gesture. For a moment they stayed like that then broke apart. Both of them felt an urge to kiss then and there but pulled away.
"Well, it feels good to finally be able to get that off my chest," May said.
"Yeah," Ash said. "I don't know about… us. But maybe once Team Rocket is defeated then. I'll think about it."
May had hoped that he might accept her here and now but that might have been a little much. And he was right they did have other concerns that were more important right now.
"Okay," she said.
They headed back to the Pokemon Center to get some rest for the next day. Unsure of what it would bring.
Well I managed to get it done. I had hoped to make them kiss but the chapter just kinda writes itself as I go. At least I some good progress I think. We'll hopefully get a kiss sooner or later so stay tuned and please review. Trying to stay true to the characters with Ash being dense and clueless about romance and May having more knowledge of it I guess. Both Officer Jenny's are gone for now and Professor Oak seems to support them. But we'll see what happens as I'm not sure what will happen next time. I guess I'll just make it up as I type.