Ash tried to match May's strides as he followed her to her house. He didn't care that Melanie was being left behind or that she grumbling to herself that Ash had put his hand over mouth. He was only focused on getting answers from his friend.

"You knew I was coming, May?"

"Yep."

"How? Oh, God. Please don't tell me my mother told you."

May stopped walking. "Your mother?"

"Yeah. You mean, s-she didn't call you?" he asked, starting to feel slightly embarrassed.

"I don't know. You'll have to ask my mom. She's the one who told me," she said as she started walking again.

Ash could feel his face heat up again. He didn't know if he could live it down if his mother had called May's parents and told them in advance that he was coming to visit their daughter.

He'd just die!

So caught up in his thoughts, Ash didn't realized that he was already back at the gym. It wasn't until he heard May jingle her keys in the lock that he noticed.

He heard the click and saw May open the door.

He swallowed hard.

"Mom, Dad. I'm back. And I've got some visitors with me." She said, smiling at Ash.

"In the kitchen, dear."

May made a motion with her hand for Ash and Melanie to follow her in the kitchen.

The moment the three stepped into the kitchen, a large smile appeared on Caroline's face, but not on Norman's. He didn't look upset. More of a 'You're here early' kind of look.

"Well hello there, Ash. It's nice to see you again."

"Thanks, Caroline. It's nice to see you too," Ash said as he began nervously rubbing the nape of his neck.

Caroline's smile widened. "Oh, we were tickled pink when your mother called us…"

I knew it!

"…and told us that you were coming to Hoenn."

"Not too, pink," Norman said as he put his newspaper down, "but we are happy to see you again."

"Uh, thanks?"

Caroline lightly slapped Norman on his shoulder.

"Oh, Norman, be nice," she whispered in his ear.

"What?"

Caroline shot her husband a look before going back over to the stove.

"Hello, who is this little lady?" Norman said as he stared at the small little pigtailed headed girl behind Ash.

Ash smiled. "Oh, yeah I almost forgot. This is a trainer from Pallet Town. She…"

"She can introduce herself," Melanie said as she stepped in front of Ash.

Everyone sweatdropped at the little girl's rashness.

"Hello. My name's Melanie Striker. I'm a starting trainer and this is my partner, Blaze."

"Char!"

"It's nice to meet all of you."

"Oh, uh. It's nice to meet you too, Melanie," Caroline said nervously.

"I know. The look on your face says it all," she said with crossed arms, causing everyone to sweatdrop once more.

Ash, still feeling a little nervous that his mother hand told practically everybody that he was coming, wanted to clear something up.

"Uh, Caroline?"

"Yes, Ash?"

"Earlier, you said my mom called you and told you that I was coming to visit?"

"Yes, that's correct," she said as she put a frying pan on the stove.

"Did she," he began, "Did she mention why I came over here?"

"No."

Thank you, Lord!

"But I presume it was to congratulate May or something. Or perhaps just a casual visit."

"Yes! That's exactly what it is!" He exclaimed.

Ash got a few stares from everyone in the room as he said that last statement so loud. His face began to heat up.

"I-I'm sorry."

A small smile formed on Norman's face. "That reminds me, congratulations on winning the Sinnoh League, Ash."

"Oh, uh, thanks, Norman," Ash said, still uncomfortable with the situation.

"Pi Pikachu!"

"May? Did I hear you come…" Max asked as he entered the kitchen. He got his answer when he saw his sister standing in the middle of the kitchen with two other people in tow.

"Never mind," he said as he flicked his hand.

"Hey, Max," Ash said cheerily.

Max looked up. "Ash? Is that you?"

"Sure is." He said with a nod.

"Pika, Pikachu!"

Max blinked twice. "What're doing here?"

"Can't a guy just visit his friends every once in a while?"

"Yeah, Max! Why do you have to pry so much?" May asked as she put her hands on her hips.

"Well excuse me for being a little curious," her little brother said with crossed arms. He raised his eyebrow questionably once he saw the third (including Pikachu) and youngest visitor in his home.

"Who are you?"

"The name's Melanie. Trainer from Pallet Town and on her way to becoming a Pokémon Master and Top Coordinator. Who are you?"

"Uh, Max. Max Maple."

Melanie's face dropped. "Max Maple? Younger brother of May Maple, Johto Grand Festival Winner?"

Max started pulling on his hair. "Arg! Why am I always being referred to that?"

"Because you're the younger brother of a champion." Melanie said with a smile.

"Grr, I'm not just May's younger brother!"

"But you are."

Max began to seethe with anger. "Who are you?"

"I'm Melanie Striker. Trainer from Pallet Town and on her way to becoming a Pokémon Master and Top Coordinator."

"You already told me that!"

"Well, you did ask me who I was."

Max began to pulling at his hair once more.

"You know, she has a point Max," May said as she walked over to her younger brother, "I mean, I lost my title as 'Norman's daughter' by making something out of myself. Now I'm known as 'The Princess of Hoenn' and 'Johto Grand Festival Winner'."

Max stared angrily at his older sister causing Melanie to laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing. Just you." She said, squinting at him.

Max balled up his fists.

"Yeah, well, you know what? In a couple of months, I'll be ten, and I'll be able to start my own pokémon journey and be known as Hoenn's Champion!"

Melanie smirked.

"Keep on dreaming, buddy. But hey, if you try hard enough, and believe strong enough, then maybe you'll make it into the Pokémon League."

Max left the room with a huff as he stormed upstairs. He slammed the door to his room.

"He's cute," Melanie said with a smile, causing Ash to shake his head and Pikachu to chuckle nervously.

After a few moments of silence, Norman stood up and gave his wife a peck on the cheek.

"Well, I'd love to stay and hear about all you're travels, Ash, but I have a meeting at four and I'd better leave now. See you all later on this evening."

"Bye, Dad." May said, waving her father goodbyre.

Norman nodded. He took a biscuit out of a basket on the counter and took a bite as he walked in the front room and out the door.

"Oh, Mom?"

"Yes, dear?"

"I'm gonna go out to train my pokémon some more." May said as she started for the door.

"Okay, dear. Have fun. Dinner will be waiting for you when you come back."

"Okay, Mom. You coming, Ash?"

"O-Of course," A goofy grin spread across his lips as he again began to feel nervous.

"I'm going too!" Melanie proclaimed as she trotted behind them.

Ash's smile disappeared. He looked back towards the little ten year old.

"W-What do you mean, you're going too?"

"I mean, I'm going with you guys too. What better way for me to be the best trainer I can be than to hang out my hero and my idol?"

Ash put his hand to his face. Here, he had a glorious opportunity to tell his secret crush how he felt and it was dashed away as quickly as it appeared because of this little monster, who wouldn't leave him alone.

What did fate have against him?