Looking out with a faint smile, Ash let out a small sigh when he realized the rain had finally calmed down - or at least it had gone form full blown storm to light drizzle, something he could easily walk through, "Alright everyone, its time we set off looking for the other's" Ash stated ot his pokemon, watching as they all fell in front of him, allowing him to return them all, with the exception of Pikachu of course.
Once the poke'balls were back on his belt, Ash went to leave the cave, but not before he felt a tug at his ripped up pants, making him look down to see a baby Growlithe, "Hm? Did you want something pup?" Growlithe nodded as he nuged Ash's leg, sticking his tong out as he barked, indicating to one of Ash's poke'balls, "You want to come with me?" Growlithe nodded at Ash's words, making the 17-year-old frown as he looked around the cave, "Won't your parents have a problem with that?" At the mention of parents, Growlithe's ears drooped and a sad look crossed his face as he whimpered sadly, "You don't have parents...or at least there not here anymore...are they?"
Shaking his head, Growlithe let out a sad whine as he nudged his leg once more as Ash pulled out a spare poke'ball, kneeling down and tapping it againest the puppy pokemon's head. The middle of the poke'ball flashed red, signalling no fight for freedom as the fire type was instantly caught. Standing up slowly and resuming his effort to leave the cave, Ash glanced at Pikachu with a half smile, "Guess we got a new member to are family..." Pikachu just blinked and nodded slowly in agreement.
Finally exiting the cave, Ash took a second to look to the still slightly dull sky, "At least it's not as bright..." He thought as he looked around, trying to remember which way the cave the others had resided in was, "Think you could sniff out any nearby caves Pikachu?" Pikachu nodded and began sniffing the air, using his tail to point to the left, making Ash shake his head at his electric types ability to sniff caves out.
"I'll never understand how you can do that bud..." Ash said as he turned to the left and began walking.
"Do you even know where your going?" Max frowned and turned to face the other three, still unsure as to why they were even following him, "Not a clue - but i know Ash went in this direction, so that's where i'm going" "Shouldn't we just got to the site of the first trial? Ash will end up their eventually right?" Nicole pitched in softly, watching as Max blinked, tapping his chin in thought.
"Hmm...that does make sense..." He murmured softly as he looked at the three, "You guys know this reign well, right? Since Ash is going to the site, take me there" Zack frowned at the boys demanding tone, going to say something before Darwin elbowed him in the stomach, shaking his head in a no motion, indicting for him to drop it.
Zack sighed and nodded whilst holding his tong as he began walking to the left of where Max had been heading, "It's this way..." Max nodded silently as he began following the boy, his two siblings bringing up the rear as they discussed how to fix the mess that there older brother had caused.
"Pikapika!" Pikachu suddenly shouted, sniffing the air as Ash stopped walking, "Whats up?" Pikachu's nose and ears twitched softly before he tugged slightly on Ash's hair, indicating to the right, "There's something you want me to check out?" Pikachu nodded as Ash shrugged and began walking in the directio that Pikachu had pointed, stopping when he heard familiar voices, "Are we there yet?" Ash heard Max asked, followed by Zack sighing and replying with "Nearly"
"Well that was easy..." Ash mused as he stepped through the bushes so he was stood in their path, "At least i found you" Was the first thing Ash said as he stood in front of the four trainers, who blinked at the boys sudden appearance. Max sighed slightly in relief, taking a step towards Ash, making Ash's eyes harden and go cold.
Holding his hands up Max stood two-to-two with Ash before speaking, "I know we, and especially me, are the last people you want to talk to, but hear us out" "Why should i? What have you done to deserve me hearing you out?" Ash retorted sharply, watching as Max recoiled in surprise at the quick retort, "I am only searching for those three - thought i loathe to admit it, i need them. I don't know this region. I need someone who knows this region to tell me where the trial sites are" Ash continued, making Zack and the others frown at the fact Ash was just using them for his own benefit.
"I don't deserve to be heard but i am going to speak anyway, whether you chose to listen is up to you" Max finally replied, taking a deep breath before speaking, "I first wanted to say that i'm sorry about all those years ago - i know it means nothing to you, but i wanted to say it anyway" Max started, making Ash roll his eyes - he knew Max was just saying it to make himself feel a little better about what happened. It wasn't for him. it was for Max.
"The next thing is more important, so i suggest that you do listen" Max's tone and choice of words piped Ash's curiosity, making him raise a brow, choosing to listen to the boy in front of him, "There is a high possibility that the other's will search for you - since Zack called them," Max continued, glaring slightly back at Zack, making the boy blush and look down in guilt, befor ehe looked back to Ash, "They have more than likely gathered that this is the region you are in - i know you don't want their help, or mine, but there are more than ten of them and only one of you - i think having allies is better than trying to beat them on your own..."
Ash chuckled softly as the younger boy finished, making Max raise a brow, "You say your sorry, yet you still think i'm to weak to look after myself?" "Wha-No! Thats not what i meant!" "I know what you meant, and i dont want your help." Ash finished, looking past Max at the otehr three, "Now, we have waisted mroe than enough time, lets move on"
"But Ash..." Max tried once more, only to be ignored by Ash, as he coughed, causing the triplets to scurry past Ash and ahead, to which Ash followed them towards the first trial site, leaving Max in their dust.