Chapter 3: Catching Up
Ash put his plate down and put his feet up on the table. As quickly as he started to daze off and fall asleep, he woke up to the sound of a distant ring. "You've got to be kidding me" he moaned. Luckily Pikachu was in the room with the source of the ringing and was kind enough to bring the phone to Ash. "Thanks buddy." Pikachu just nodded, curled up, and started to fall asleep.
"Hello? Oh, hey Brock! Ya I called the other day and wanted to talk to you about something. I know it's been a while but what would you think if I came home for a while?" "ASH ARE YOU KIDDING MEEEEE?!" Pikachu quickly woke up from his nap to screaming coming from the opposite end of Ash's phone. Whining like a baby, Pikachu found another room and went straight back to sleep. "Woah woah Brock calm down! I don't know for how long, but I'd be home before Christmas to surprise everyone." Ash's eyes suddenly lit up. "She's having another party?! I can't wait to get home now! Yes, but don't tell anyone Brock. I want it to be a surprise. Ya I'll talk to you when I'm on the train. Alright talk to you soon." 'And the plan is officially underway' Ash thought to himself. Trying not to wake Pikachu, Ash opened the door and headed out to do some errands.
An hour later Ash found himself at a pharmacy looking through shelf after shelf in search of the vitamins both he and Lucario had been taking. 'I've been looking for 20 minutes!' Ash thought to himself. He spotted a figure who happened to appear as if they worked in the building. "Excuse me, could you help me find the vita" He was cut off quickly. "Oh my, I'm sorry I don't work here." The woman blushed as she started to walk away. "Wait you look familiar.." Ash said as he pondered as to who it could be. "Wait a second.. Ash?! Oh my god it's been so long!" Ash looked at her with a look of amazement. "May I can't believe it's you I almost didn't recognize you after all these years." Ash was more excited than he had been in a long time. They started making idle conversation as they were almost strangers after a long time apart, but it didn't get much better. Then May mentioned a contest in Kanto that she would be leaving for soon and it brought a spark back to the conversation. "May, I'm actually going to visit Pallet in just a couple of days if you'd like some company" Ash said suggestively. "Oh I'd love to Ash! By the way, the vitamins you were looking for are right here!" She smiled as Ash showed an embarrassed look on his face. "Thanks" was all he could say and it managed to get a laugh out of May. They exchanged contacts and agreed to talk in a few days when they were ready to leave and once again said goodbye; just not for as long this time.
3 Days Later (December 20th)
"Ya I'm ready to leave now. The train leaves at 5 so we have a little extra time. Sure I'll meet you at the station. Ok good see you there!" Ash hadn't felt this type of excitement in a long time.