Chapter
21
"Sunshine!"
Blue skies stretched along the horizon with not a cloud to be seen. White sand covered the beach which contrasted with the navy blue waves that splashed along the shore. The sunshine shone down on the boardwalk which reflected off the wooden walkway. Small stores were lined up where the pavement met the sand. Hundreds upon hundreds of people were walking along the sandy beach or going into the stores to purchase what they wanted. On the other side of the beach were many clubs in which the older crowd could converse and relax in. Many of the people were young couples in swimwear ready to enjoy the beach at their leisure. Various small children were holding hands with their parents, eager to head down to the waves or build a sand castle in the sand. Many wooden picnic tables were scattered along the boardwalk where people were eating their lunch or chatting with their friends. The tables all had large umbrellas attached to the middle that blocked out the suns rays from above. The beach was buzzing and bustling with a lively atmosphere.
Ash, May, Max and Brock stood on the boardwalk as they rested their elbows against the railings, gazing down at the awe-inspiring sight around them. They were all fully dressed in their usual clothes, but all four of them were eager to strip down and head to the beach as soon as possible. The group was so taken back at the festive activities that they agreed to spend the day just relaxing at the beach instead of practicing for the Pokemon surfing competition that was scheduled to begin in another six days.
There were two large buildings that overlooked the beach beside the small busting stores. Since the beach was also part of the port where ferries brought people over from the other side of the mainland, and the very same port that Ash's group used, the buildings were erected to be major hotel suites. Various tourists and other people traveling from port to port would stay at either one of the two big hotels, as the Pokemon Center a few miles down was hardly large enough for the busy community to stay in. Ash and the gang had decided to spend the next several days in the hotel overlooking the beach, which was named, The Accommodator.
May and Max in particular were so excited to head down to the sandy beach that Ash and Brock had to remind them that they had to request for a room at the inn. The two siblings stared at the beach from the boardwalk with watery-eyes, eager to join the fun. The two appeared to be in a state of bliss just watching people run down to the beach carrying their lounge chairs and their beach balls.
"Maaaaay?" Ash said, waving his hand in front of her eyes.
"Max…we have to get a room at the hotel first," Brock urged the boy by nudging his shoulder.
"This is exhilarating. I must be in some wonderful dream," May said starry eyed.
"I'm so excited I can't budge an inch!" the younger sibling said.
Ash and Brock looked at each other and nodded. They knew the two siblings were in a state of euphoria and wouldn't budge an inch. The only way to head down to the hotel was to carry them along with them. Brock tugged Max by the arm and dragged him toward the hotel as his shoes slid along the ground. Max was in such a dream-like state that he was completely oblivious that Brock was pulling him along with him.
"That's ok, Max," Brock smiled, pulling him along by the arm, "You can admire the beach as we walk."
Brock exchanged a glance back at Ash in order to get him to bring May along too. Ash walked up to May and tapped her shoulder.
"C'mon, May," Ash said cheerfully, "Brock and Max are already heading to the hotel. We better get going too."
May continued starring down the beach in a whimsical dream-like state as if she didn't hear what Ash had said.
"…What…did someone say something? Oh wow…look at how big that wave was!" May said in a high pitched voice, clasping her hands.
"Uh…May?"
"Shhhhh..." she waved her hand at him while still staring at the beach. "I hear you Ash but I don't want a hot dog right now…"
"Huh?" Ash chuckled, rolling his eyes, "You're really out of it right now, aren't you?"
May sighed as her eyes dazzled watching the harmonious activities around her.
"OK c'mon, I'll take you with me," Ash said as he held her arm, "We'll walk together…how does that sound?"
Ash pulled her arm down gently in which her hands slid apart. He tried gently turning her toward the direction of the hotel but May still didn't walk.
"Earth to Maaaay?" Ash said in a mocking tone.
He then held her hand and started tugging her along with him. Finally, May's legs started to move as the girl started walking alongside Ash. She was still staring to the left toward the beach of course, unable to change her gaze.
"At least you're walking now," Ash chuckled as he led her by the hand, "Brock had to tug your brother by his arm while he was still fantasizing about the beach. Looks I gotta hold your hand and lead you to the hotel too."
May finally snapped out of her dream-like state as she realized that Ash was leading her away by the hand. She looked down toward their clasped hands as she felt herself warming with affection.
"Heh, sorry Ash about before," May admitted, "This place just looks so wonderful. Everyone is having so much fun! I can't wait to be apart of it."
"That's why we're heading to the hotel, May. That way we can get a room to stay in for the next few days, change into our bathing suits, and then we'll be all ready to head down to the beach."
"Heh, I think I see Brock and Max ahead of us. My little brother is still drooling over the beach that Brock has to pull him along."
"Well now that you're walking I guess I don't have to hold your hand anymore, do I?" Ash said looking up at her.
May bit her lower lip as she liked it that the two of them were holding hands as they walked. She never really held Ash's hand just for a simple walk before, and for some reason it felt too comforting for her to say that he didn't have to hold her hand anymore. She quickly formulated some words so that they could continue walking hand-in-hand toward the hotel.
"Huh?" May smiled. "It's…it's ok, Ash. I…I might start daydreaming about the beach again and then I…uh…I may just stop walking again! Yeah, and then you'll be walking ahead of me and not notice that I'm admiring the beach and then I'll be stuck all the way back here while you're all in the hotel! I think you should continue leading me by the hand just in case."
Ash squeezed her hand a bit firmer as a friendly gesture. The two smiled at each other as they continued walking.
"Alright then, I better not let go. I may never be able to find you again in this crowd of people."
"Yep, and I'll continue holding your hand too. No biggie right, Ash?"
"Nope, not at all."
The group finally met up again in the lobby of the hotel. Brock went up to the front desk in order to request a room to stay in for the following week. The hotel was rather standard and nothing too fancy, the décor was inviting without being too glamorous.
Ash, May and Max looked around the lobby of the hotel as a lot of people were walking around in their bathing suits. It was easily apparent that most of the people staying at the hotel were doing it for the beach. Brock notified Ash and the others that he had a key to the room which was located on the first floor. The group walked along the open catwalks which were adjacent to a bunch of ferns and flowers that decorated the surroundings. They admired the scenery around them as Brock turned the key into the brown door which was their suite.
"Well guys, this is it," Brock said as he turned the doorknob.
The room had four beds in it against the wall, much to Ash and Brock's delight. Since the Professor only had two beds in his guest room, Ash and Brock were quite pleased that they didn't have to sleep in their sleeping bags again while May and Max got a bed. The room had various simple wooden furniture against the wall, with several cabinets and drawers for them to set their apparel in. There was also one small TV set on the middle of a dresser. A small sink and bathroom was at the very end of the room near an open window.
"Pikachu pika!" Pikachu cheered as it jumped right on the bed nearest to the front door.
"Guess this bed is ours right, Pikachu?" Ash said happily.
"This room looks pretty good, I'll say it looks nice and cozy for the time being," Brock said.
May sat down on the edge of her bed which happened to be the one next to Ash's. She slipped her fanny pack off her waist and rested it on her lap. She opened the front and began digging through her bag.
"What are you looking for, May?" Max asked his sister.
"I'm looking for my bathing suit of course. It's not like we have any luggage to unpack, we're always traveling so we always travel light," she said.
"That's true, we do kinda wear the same exact clothes every single day," Max slapped his forehead.
Ash took off his backpack and rested it on his bed.
"May, are you really going to head down to the beach right now?" he asked.
"No, not exactly. I want to check out all those eating areas and clubs they have on the boardwalk. It looked like the people were having a lot of fun there, I want to see what it's all about," she said as she took her red two-piece bikini out of her bag.
"I dunno, May, some of those clubs looked like they served alcohol," Brock said scratching his chin, "You're all underage you know."
"Don't be silly, Brock, I'm not going to drink," May said, stretching out her bikini on her bed, "I would never do stuff that's bad for you like that. I promised my parents that I would always be a good daughter and never do any of those bad things that other people do. I don't want that kind of stuff in my body."
"Yeah," Max added, "Our parents all made it very clear what we should and what we shouldn't be doing on our journey. I'll never do any of that stuff either, it's disgusting."
"You better not, Max," May said, turning to him hastily, "Mom and Dad told me to take care of you, I'm certainly not going to let you get involved with stuff like that. I don't want anyone talking you into doing any of that stuff either, you hear me?"
May walked over to Max and put her hands on his shoulders. May looked into her brother's eyes with a motherly concern. The younger brother looked back at his sister smiling.
"I won't, May. Besides, if anyone bothers me I have my big sister to look after me. Right?" he said affectionately.
"Right. I love you, Max, I'll never let anything bad happen to you," she said, hugging her brother tightly in her arms.
"Love you too, May," the sibling said in return.
Ash, Pikachu and Brock watched compassionately as the two siblings hugged each other.
"Your parents really brought the two of you up well," Brock said.
May and Max let go of each other and turned to Brock and Ash.
"Thank you, Brock," May nodded.
"Yeah, they're very protective of us. Besides, it's not just my big sister who will come to protect me if I need help," Max said.
"That's right," Ash said confidently, "Don't forget that we're here too."
"Pika!"
May smiled, "Ash will always be here for you Max," she glanced at Ash affectionately, "Just like he's always there for me."
"No matter what happens, we're all in this together," Brock said boastfully, "We're a team, and we're going to stick together and protect each other on our journey. That's what friends are for after all."
"Aw," Max rubbed his hair in embarrassment, "You guys are so cheesy."
"Chu pika," Pikachu giggled as it slumped down on the bed.
May walked back over to her bed and pressed her hands down on the top and bottom of her bikini. She picked up the top of her bikini and looked shyly back up at the others.
"So you're going to head down to that club area right, May?" Ash asked once more.
"Yep. I just wanna see what kind of people are there. I might even find out which one of them are surfers who will be in the competition next week. Maybe I can get a head start on our rivals this way, huh?" she said.
"Why are you going to wear you bathing suit there?" Max asked his older sister, "Why don't you just go with your normal clothes?"
"No way Max!" May snorted, "Didn't you see all the people sitting around there? Everyone was wearing a bathing suit, I don't want to be the only oddball walking over there with my clothes on. I'm going to change and then head over there for awhile."
Ash, Brock, and Max continued to stare at her.
"Uh…guys? I said I was going to change?" May said eyeing them, "I can't very well take off my clothes with the three of you staring at me."
"Of course not," Brock said walking over to the door, "We'll wait outside while you change into you swimsuit."
Brock opened the door and stepped outside while Max and Ash followed him.
Ash turned to her and said, "Make sure not to take too long, ok? I think I'm going to go head down to the beach in a bit so I want to change too."
"Sure, it only takes about a minute for me to take off my clothes and put on my bikini anyway," she said, "Now go already, I wanna change!"
"Ok ok sheesh," Ash shook his head as he started walking out the door.
"Uh, Pikachu?" May said to the Pokemon resting on the bed.
"Pika?" Pikachu looked up at her.
"That means you too," she grinned.
"C'mon buddy, I don't think May is comfortable with you being in here while she changes either," Ash snickered.
"Chu…" Pikachu said in what could almost be described as a disappointing tone.
Pikachu hopped on Ash's shoulder as the boy closed the door behind him.
The three boys and the Pikachu stood on the catwalk as various people who were staying in the hotel walked by.
"There's a lot of cuties staying here," a flabbergasted Brock said while eyeing the women walk by, "I think I'm going to like it here."
"I wonder how many people are going to be registering for that surfing competition. I hope it's not everyone here, that would be pretty crazy," Ash said.
"Maybe we should go back to the boardwalk and check if anyone is selling those surfboards yet," Max said.
"That's a good idea, Max, we can't very well please Professor Latrommi if we don't even get a chance to race," Brock said, walking down the catwalk, "You guys coming?"
"Sure. Why not?" Ash said, looking at Pikachu on his shoulder.
"I'm coming too!" Max said cheerfully.
Brock walked down the catwalk with Ash and Max following as they headed back into the interior of the hotel lobby.
May stood next to her bed as she started slipping her clothes off getting ready to change into her dark red swimsuit. She slid off her skirt and shorts first and pulled the bottom of her bikini up her legs. She neatly placed her shorts and skirt in the bottom drawer of her dresser. She began unzipping her red shirt as she picked up the top of her bikini and went next to the mirror which was above the sink.
"Hmmm…maybe I should take off my bandana too. I'd probably look silly with it on while in a bikini," May thought as she undid the tie on her bandana.
She placed her apparel next to the sink as she undid her bra and placed that to the side as well. She pressed the top of her bikini against her breasts as she pulled back the strings and tied them around the back of her neck. She pulled down on the top of her bikini over her curves while staring at herself in the mirror.
"This one has gotten so tight," May said annoyingly as she pulled on the cups of her top, "I really need to win those new swimsuits."
She then moved her hands through her brunette hair and stretched out the locks of her hair to the side, trying to get it to the length she desired.
"This'll do," May smiled at herself in the mirror admiring how she looked.
May was awfully concerned with the amount of cleavage that her bikini's showed off. Although she didn't make it apparent to her friends, she was pretty shy about exposing a lot of skin on her body. Since she traveled in a group of all boys, she never really had anyone to talk to about the clothes or swimsuits she'd wear, something she regretted a bit on her travels. She was happy that her current bikini covered the majority of her breasts to a similar degree that her bras did, and that the bottom of her bikini didn't show too much skin either. Her midriff was quite attractive and was the one part of her body that she usually didn't mind showing off. As outgoing personality wise as May was, she was a very shy girl on the inside when it came to her appearance.
She reached back into her fanny pack and pulled out little slippers that she could wear while walking on the boardwalk. Once she slipped them on and put her fanny pack on her dresser, she decided that she was ready to step outside and see what they had to offer her.
~*~*~~*
"$80??!?" Brock cried, "Who can afford to spend so much money on a surfboard?"
The shopkeeper rested his hands on the counter as he twirled the cigarette in his mouth. He had a fluffy mustache and wore a dirty old baseball cap and run down clothes.
"That's the breaks, kid. These surfboards were specifically designed for the yearly Pokemon competition we have here. If you can't afford one, then I guess you won't be taking part in the race," the shopkeeper said.
"What are we doing to do?" Ash asked.
"We barely have any money to buy food everyday, this is a rip off!" Max yelled.
"Are you insulting my store, little kid?" the shopkeeper raised his voice.
"Uh no, he's just being silly," Brock said quickly as he pushed Max aside, "Here's the $80, we'll take one of those surfboards."
Brock pulled $80 out of his pocket and placed the bills on the counter. Ash and Max looked at him irritably. The shopkeeper snatched the money off the table and went into the back room.
"Brock, are you nuts? That was practically all the money we have on us!" Max said, angrily.
"It doesn't matter, Max, we still have plenty of money left over for food. Besides, this shop is the place that sells the surfboards for the cheapest price. I saw the other shops charging $90 or even over $100 for these," Brock said.
"This is insane," Ash said, crossing his arms, "Whoever heard of a surfboard costing this price?"
"The bad thing is that we only have enough money to buy one of the surfboards. Meaning that only one of us will be able to race," Brock said disappointingly.
"That stinks, May really wanted to enter that race too," Max said, stomping the floor.
The shopkeeper came back out of the room holding the large surfboard in his hands. He put the surfboard on the counter as Brock pulled it off and struggled to hold it against his chest.
"This thing is gigantic!" Ash said, looking at the large surfboard.
The surfboard was well made at the very least which pleased the group for spending so much money. It was enclosed on all sides but the back, which was the side a person would walk onto the surfboard from. The front of the surfboard had a raised pillar which went up to a persons waist, which also had a small circular opening in which the tether could be held onto. The tether extended about 10 feet and was made out of a sturdy rope. On the other end of the tether was a circular opening in which the Pokemon pulling the tether would hold onto around its body while swimming in the water.
Brock rested the huge surfboard on the floor next to them as the others looked at it quite surprised.
"If you're planning on entering the race, I suggest you purchase another tether to go with that one," the shopkeeper said. "You're allowed to have two Water Pokemon pulling the surfboard at once, and both of them have to have their own tether tied around them in order to qualify. Of course if you only want to race with one Pokemon that's fine, but you'll have a much better chance and a greater sense of speed if you have two Pokemon pulling the surfboard in unison."
"How much is it for another tether? Let me guess, $50?" Max said nastily.
"No, kiddo, it's five bucks. I'm not ripping you guys off, you know," the shopkeeper said as he took a puff of his cigarette.
"Hm, that does sound like a good deal. Let me just make sure though, the Pokemon are the only ones who will actually be pulling the surfboard along, right?" Brock asked.
"Yep. The trainers hold onto the tether while standing on the surfboard, otherwise you'll end up falling off the board as you're racing. You can pull the tether in a certain direction through the circular opening in order to instruct your Pokemon whether to make a turn in direction. As I said, the Water Pokemon will be the ones swimming in the water and they will have the other end of the tether tied around their body. The humans just go along for the ride and decide what direction to take, it's the Pokemon that are really doing all the work," the shopkeeper said, "So if you want a better chance at winning, I suggest you purchase a second tether so you can have two Pokemon pulling the board instead of one."
"We'll take it," Brock said as he handed him the money.
The shopkeeper took a package off the rack in which they sold tethers separately in. He tore off the plastic and walked around the counter toward the surfboard.
"I'm going to tie this second tether through the circular opening next to the first one," the shopkeeper said, "The two ropes will be side by side."
He quickly tied the second tether in a knot through the circular opening in the middle of the surfboard. He extended the rest of the tether through the hole and out the end where the other tether was residing.
"That's it," the shopkeeper said, standing up, "You're good to go."
"Thanks," Brock said, "There sure is a lot of room in the middle of the surfboard though where the racer is supposed to be standing. Is there a reason for that?"
"Sure, just like there are two Pokemon pulling the same surfboard via the tether, there will be two people standing on it as well," the shopkeeper said, walking back behind the counter, "I believe it's also required for the two water Pokemon to each be owned by the two trainers. Meaning one Pokemon per trainer, as two people and two Pokemon are racing."
"So two people are going to race together then," Ash said, thinking to himself, "Since we can't afford another surfboard all four of us won't get a chance to race."
"Seems like it, Ash," Brock said, "Now help me carry this giant thing out of the store. I suggest we take it down to the beach and see how well it floats in the water."
Ash nodded as Pikachu jumped off his shoulder and into Max's arms. Max and Pikachu watched as Ash lifted the surfboard up with two hands as Brock held it from the other side.
"Make sure you don't knock anything over on your way out!" the shopkeeper warned.
"We'll be careful," Ash said.
Ash leaned his back against the storeroom door, pulling the surfboard out with him as Brock pushed it toward him. Max and Pikachu walked out the store behind them eager to see if what they spent their money on would be worth it after all.
~*~*~*
May walked down the boardwalk quite enthusiastically ready to get involved with the activities. The dark red bikini made her stand out a bit compared to the other girls who were generally wearing brightly colored swimsuits. She chuckled to herself as she watched various small children beg their parents to buy them surfboards from the store, only to have the parents refuse.
"These surfboards must be expensive," May thought as she walked passed one of the small stores.
Suddenly, a large oval surfboard was rolling down the boardwalk on its side at top speed. May was unknowingly looking through the shop window as the huge surfboard came rolling toward her.
"Watch out! Runaway surf board coming through!" a familiar voice cried out.
"Huh?" May turned around as the surfboard was upon her, "What the hell!?"
The surfboard knocked right into her body and toppled her over. She landed hard on her buttocks as the surfboard rolled to the side and fell down against the wall of the store.
Her face was slightly red from the hit and she was still in a shock of what happened. She sat on the floor rubbing her lower back in pain.
"May?!" Ash called out.
May had one eye closed in pain as she looked up at Ash, Pikachu, Brock and Max.
Ash quickly noticed that she looked fairly attractive in her bikini. Her body was nearly the ideal feminine figure for her current height, which made even Ash take notice of her charms.
"Are you alright?" Max said quickly.
"Ugh, what the heck was that thing?" May asked, annoyed.
"That's the surfboard we'll be racing on, May, it kinda escaped from us and rolled down the boardwalk," Brock said as he picked the surfboard up from against the wall, "I was afraid it was going to end up rolling into someone, much less you for that matter."
"Need a hand?" Ash asked as he lowered his hand toward her.
May nodded as she reached for his hand as he helped pull her up. She finally opened her closed eye and rubbed the side of her face.
"That looks like it hurt," Max said, concerned for his older sister, "What did you land on?"
"I landed on my butt! How does that sound, Max!?" May yelled at him irritably.
Max was worried that his sister was about to hit him that he ducked behind Ash.
"Sorry! It was a stupid question, really!" Max panicked.
May crossed her arms underneath her breasts as she looked at the surfboard they had bought.
"Why'd you only buy one surfboard?" she asked.
"It's all we could afford," Brock said, "A good thing is that two people are allowed to race at once which is why there's so much room to stand on in the middle of the surfboard."
"That's disappointing, that means we'll be less likely to win. If all four of us were racing we'd have better odds, but now that only two of us are, and on the same surfboard no less, I guess we don't have as good a chance to win 1st prize. Guess the money for Professor Latrommi and all those new swimsuits are out of the question now," May sighed.
"We'll do fine, May," Ash said confidently, "We'll just try our best like we always do. And if we don't win at least we had a good time anyway."
"That's true, Ash," May said as she regained her former cheer.
"Besides, I like your red swimsuit a lot anyway. Even if you don't win all those new swimsuits at least you have this cute one," Ash said.
She blushed a bit as Ash had never really complemented her while wearing a bikini before. She lowered her hands to her sides and positioned herself right in front of Ash's view to see if she would receive anymore compliments.
"Thank you, Ash. I never really thought of this old thing as cute before," she said, taking a quick tug at her left cup of the bikini, "But if you say that then it must be true."
"So, how's about we take this baby down to the waves, huh?" Brock said, interrupting the two trainers, "I want to see how well this thing floats!"
"As long as we don't lose grip of it again and let it roll away from us, I agree!" Max said, raising his glasses.
"Are you still going to check out the stores and clubs here on the boardwalk?" Ash asked.
"Yeah I am. I guess I'll come see you guys down on the sand a little later," May smiled, "You guys aren't actually going in the water are you? You'll get your clothes all wet."
"Maybe we should head back to the room and change quickly then," Ash said, "I don't feel like getting all my clothes soaked."
"Cool, then I'll be able to comment on you in your bathing suit, Ash," May grinned.
"Hey do I get a comment too?" Max asked naively.
"Max…we grew up together. I think I've seen you in your bathing suit enough times," May rolled her eyes.
"You're a funny big sister, you know that?" Max said teasingly.
"And you're a funny little brother," May leaned forward and winked at him.
The three male members of the group decided to head back to the hotel room to change into their bathing suits. May waved goodbye to them for a few seconds before turning around and heading back toward the stores and clubs on the other side of the boardwalk.
May smiled knowingly.
"Ash called my bikini cute," she said to herself quietly, "Jeez, now I'm wondering if he just liked the bikini or the fact that I was wearing it!"
She shook her head as she stared down at her body.
"I don't think I'll ever understand that guy."