Chapter 3 Viridian forest

Before I begin I'd like to explain two things. First off and most importantly, I've received reviews addressing the way May and Misty met in this story stating that it is not the first time they met. Technically that is true, however due to the fact that I'm altering the course of the show at some point after their first meeting and branching it off towards another direction I've decided to overlook their first meeting as if it never happened for story purposes. As for May's reaction to Misty and the way Ash behaves around her, I know it was a bit out of character for May to be that jealous but that too was necessary for story purposes later on to emphasize the competition between them. I apologize for the misunderstanding.

The group has been walking in silence for some time now. Ash and Misty were all talked out so they were quiet and so was May. Before long it was sunset and hhe group decided to make camp. Ash put down his pack.

"It's a shame we don't have Brock with us",

"That's okay Ash. I can handle the cooking", Said Misty.

Ash looked at her in surprise.

"I didn't know you know how to cook",

Misty smiled.

"After running a gym by yourself for several years you learn a thing or two",

Ash chuckled.

"Great. Do you need any help?"

"No that's okay", said Misty.

May jerked up.

"I can cook too you know",

Seeming a little surprised Misty spoke.

"Well that's a great. You can help me out if you want",

May stammered.

"I… I want to cook it myself",

Misty blinked.

"Why?"

"I… I just do. Okay?!" snapped May. Her face flustered. Ash and Misty exchanged confused looks and then shrugged.

"Okay. The pot's all yours May", said Misty and put the ladle down. As soon as she did May got nervous.

"Oh… me and my stupid jealousy. I don't even know how to cook…" she thought and approached the pot. She didn't even have a cook book. So she improvised. She boiled some water and cut up some vegetables. Then she took out some meat from her backpack and put it in and stirred everything. An hour later she panicked when she smelt some smoke so she took the pot off and called everyone to dinner. She dished the soup out for three with some nervousness.

"May, is something burning?" asked Ash.

"I… I… I think I burnt the stew…" she said looked down with embarrassment. Ash put the spoon down and placed his hand on her knee. Misty frowned.

"May, don't beat yourself up about it. I'm sure it came out okay. It's your first time after all…", May looked up at him and smiled weakly.

"Thanks Ash",

"You're welcome", he smiled.

"Should we eat?" he added.

"Yeah let's eat I'm kinda hungry", said May and they began their meal. When they tasted it they all frowned.

"It is a little burnt", said Misty.

"I'm so sorry. It's my first time cooking; and I didn't have a recipe book…" began May.

"It's okay, no harm done. Just be careful next time", said Misty. Then they turned to look at their friend.

"What do you think Ash?" they looked at him to find out he was still eating his bowl. Ash wasn't usually a slow eater. They noticed he was frowning while chewing on his soup. Clearly it was too burnt for him.

"Ash?" asked May.

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure you like the soup?"

"Me? Yeah sure I do. It's great", he said cheerfully and started scooping a whole lot of it into his mouth at once and swallowed.

"See? It's delicious", he smiled but then started coughing and wheezing. May placed her head in her palms.

"Oh who am I kidding? I can't cook worth squat…" she said sadly. Ash placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry May. It's just that it came out a little burnt. It wasn't that bad. I'm sure you'll do better next time",

"If there'll ever be a next time",

""Sure there will. Otherwise you wouldn't learn",

May sighed.

"I'm going to bed", said and got up and crawled into her sleeping bag. Ash sat there for a while and looked at her. Then he just sighed, cleaned up the dishes and went to bed himself. Misty soon followed. While those two were asleep May was still up. She covered her head with her sleeping bag in shame. Ashamed of making a fool of herself in front of Ash and Misty. It wasn't until one AM that she finally fell asleep. The next morning she woke up feeling like she didn't sleep enough. She groggily rolled up her sleeping bag and was surprised to find out Ash was frying eggs. Beside him Misty sat there looking a little mad.

"W… what's going on here?" she asked.

"You tell me", said Misty in a slightly annoyed voice. Ash looked up.

"Oh hey May. How'd you sleep?"

"I've had worse nights. Why are you cooking?"

"Well I kinda felt bad about hurting your feelings last night so I wanted to make it up to you. After all I know you were just trying to help",

May's eyes sparkled. Touched by his kindness.

"Thanks Ash. That's the sweetest thing you've ever done for me…" she smiled at him and he gave her a toothy grin in return. His face a faint shade of red.

"Breakfast's ready", he said and removed the eggs from the fire as everyone gathered up and ate. Ash and May ate rather contently but Misty ate her breakfast quickly with a certain amount of aggravation.

"He's sucking up to her. And I thought I was the one he likes. Well we'll see about that…" she thought bitterly. After they were done eating they picked up their stuff and left. Two hours later they were out of the woods and were looking onto Viridian city.

""Viridian city… gosh this place brings back a lot of memories…" said Ash nostalgically. Misty snorted.

"Yeah right…"

""Well what are we waiting for? Let's go and get that badge!" said Ash and darted for the city as his friends followed suite. After a while they reached the gym doors. The gym looked down upon them, standing up proud amongst the other buildings of the city. Ash took a deep breath and stepped in; ready to take the gym leader for the second time…

To be continued…

So, it looks like the tension between Misty and May is growing thicker. It's gonna be a close call about who wins Ash's heart. In case any of you are wondering why Ash is trying for the badges again, the reason for that is because it's been four years since Ash first traveled the Kanto region meaning that it is quite possible that his old badges are no longer valid. Primarily because some of the gym leaders have changed since then, and since the league happens only once a year it raises the possibility that the badges are changed annually.

Anyway I hope you liked what you read.

Don't forget to review!