Okay, here's the latest chapter to the story. I had thought before this story would be about three chapters - but it's going to be more than that, although I don't know how many - though probably less than ten.

The next morning, the friends were up early, packing up their camping equipment and were getting ready to journey back to Pallet.

Before they began to start their journey, they went to a nearby town, and called to a big department store to do some last minute Christmas shopping.

Dawn easily found some goods she wanted to give, and was whizzing up and down the aisles, grabbing stock and putting it in her cart. Brock was also finding some items that he wanted to give to family and friends.

But Ash was having trouble with his own shopping. All he wanted to buy was something special for May. He walked up and down the aisles with Pikachu on his shoulder, finding all sorts of stock from soft Pokémon dolls to perfume. But none of them seemed special enough for a girl like May.

"I don't know," Ash sighed disappointedly to Pikachu. "Considering this is a big store, it has nothing to give May for Christmas."

"Pi!" The mouse Pokémon suddenly cried out, pointing out with his paw. Ash looked to see where he was pointing, which was one section of the aisle they were in. Standing on some shelves where some gold picture frames. On each one, above the oval space for the picture was a female name. Interested by these, Ash looked amoung them until he found one which had 'May' displayed on top.

Ash picked it up and smiled at it. Then he noticed underneath the oval was a message reading;

You are the most kind and affectionate person anyone could meet. These is no one else in the world with a heart as big as your's. Your smile makes a dark cloudy day turn bright and sunny. Your face, as seen above, is prettier than all of Heaven's angels. You are a wonderful person, and you couldn't change even if you tried. But don't go trying to change, because you are perfect the way you are. That's what I really love about the wonderful person you are.

Ash smiled at this message. It really did describe May correctly. It was as if this certain picture frame had been made just for her, rather than for anyone named May.

"What do you think Pikachu? Do you think May will like this?"

"Pi!"

"I sure hope so buddy." So Ash went to the check out and purchased the frame. Then he put it in his backpack before going to join Dawn and Brock. He didn't want them to see it and start asking questions as to why he bought a picture frame coupled with an affectionate message.

Later that afternoon, the friends were at a nearby dock. They had bought ship tickets and were just boarding a ship that was heading for the Kanto region.

Unknown to them, Team Rocket was lurking nearby. While looking for loose change around the dock, they had spotted them and were now watching them walk up the gang plank to the ship.

"Well, well, well," remarked Jessie. "Looks like the twerps are heading back to the Kanto region."

"And so is their faithful Pikachu," added James, noticing Pikachu on Ash's shoulder.

"So our next stop is da Kanto Region!" Meowth called out.

"But how can we get there?" James asked glumly. "We don't have any money for tickets!"

"Then we do what any member of Team Rocket would do!" Jessie replied, slightly annoyed at James for being absent minded. "We'll just sneak on board!"

"We'll hide in dose crates!" Meowth pointed to three crates slacked on a trolley. So the two humans and one Pokémon ran over to the crates, opened them, quickly shoveled out the food that was kept inside (but not all of it so that they wouldn't go hungry during the journey), climbed inside each one and shut them.

A dock worker then came and pushed the trolley towards the gangplank - but found the crates were heavier than he thought. Of course, he didn't realise he was carrying two adults and a Pokémon. He thought he was just carrying food. He struggled up the gang plank, pushing the trolley with the crates carrying Team Rocket inside, and by the time he made it onto the ship, he was puffing and panting. "I hope I don't have to take these crates of the ship when we dock at the Kanto region.

For the next few hours, Ash, Dawn and Brock were on the boat which crossed the sea towards the Kanto region. Dawn and Brock found plenty to do; there was a small disco playing Christmas music, and a theatre where a choir was on display. There was a Pokémon day care centre, so Pikachu and all the other Pokémon were sent there, where they happily played with all of the other Pokémon.

Ash, however, spent the hours of travelling on the ship happily daydreaming about May.

Team Rocket, meanwhile, were not enjoying the trip, being shut inside dark crates providing them with small space. Even though they had plenty of food to satisfy their hunger, they were not happy.

"The sooner we get to Kanto region the better!" James complained grumpily. "I'd kill for leg room."

Finally, when dusk fell, the ship docked at the Kanto region. Ash, Dawn, Brock and Pikachu walked down from the gang plank. Team Rocket, who had sneak from their crates a few moments ago, spotted them. When no one was looking, they sneaked down the gangplank and silently began to follow the three friends, keeping a big distance away from them, as they started to head away from the dock.

As they walked back to Pallet town, the weather changed. Not only did it start to get colder, but it began to snow. White flakes fell gently from the grey clouds in the sky, landing on the ground.

"Oh, how lovely," remarked Dawn smiling. "I always love a white Christmas! Isn't snow pretty?"

"Yes, but it can cause alot of trouble sometimes," replied Ash, remembering several adventures involving snow he had on his journey, and how sometimes it would get him into trouble. "I just hope it won't cause trouble this year.

"Hey, it's Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year," grinned Brock. "What could possibly go wrong?"

"Yeah," added Dawn. "No need to worry!"

Dawn just said her famous catchphrase; "No need to worry!" But as we know, it when she says that saying that her mother worries. So maybe we should to?

Needless to say, there's obviously something to go wrong in the near future - but that won't be until next chapter!