Hi and hello, everyone! Chapter 2 of Inconceivable is here, where we'll find out more about Ash and May's...er-hem...predicament. What's going to happen? Keep reading and find out!

A/N: I'm aware that there are no Pokémon Contests in Unova; it's simply to advance the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon; Nintendo and Satoshi Tajiri do.

INCONCEIVABLE

CHAPTER 2-FEAR AND DOUBT

"Ash, I'm pregnant."

May knew that they had taken a big risk that night, but somehow hormones and emotion had run caution and logic out of town, if only for a few hours. Check that, it wasn't just a big risk, it was reckless, irresponsible even. But she had been so overjoyed to see him again, they didn't resist one another, and they were paying the price for that now.

Ash had been the only person she could think about during her contests in Johto. Before then, he had always been there for her, teaching her and helping her overcome her dislike of Pokémon, as well as indirectly influencing her Contest style. Without him, she'd felt something of a void in her head and in her heart, nagging at her and ultimately carrying over into her Contest performances. Despite winning three ribbons before her detour into Sinnoh, the performances felt flat somehow, lacking their usual flair. The Wallace Cup had been a welcome change, and through it all she felt the old spark return. She credited Ash with that spark.

She'd been overjoyed when Ash confessed to her outside the hotel. Despite Drew's advances, she had resisted them and eventually he'd given up, finding a girl midway through Johto. She knew that Ash was the only one for her, and even though she found Dawn's presence slightly threatening, he had assured her that the pair's relationship was like a brother and sister, rather than romantic. This turned the previous spark into a roaring flame, which burned brightly all the way to the final seconds of her battle with Dawn. Despite her loss, she knew she'd be able to maintain her strong performances and finish strongly in her current challenge.

After the Wallace Cup, she'd returned to Johto, and placed high in yet another Grand Festival, before moving on to properly challenge for the Sinnoh title. It seemed that she and Ash would almost always be in separate regions, but after pledging their love to one another she had taken the uplifting feeling and channeled it into her performances in the north, running all the way to the Grand Festival at Valour Lakefront. She took her highest finish yet, losing the final battle by what looked like a single point, evoking memories of her draw in Terracotta Town, where one point on either side would have swung the battle. Unsure of where to go next, she was happy to receive a call from Delia Ketchum about a celebration of Ash's return to Pallet Town. That night had been the most intense she'd ever spent with anyone, and as she looked back, she knew the intensity had been too high.

She was terrified of her family's reaction. Her mother would likely be supportive despite the shock, and Max, being a typical younger brother, would make fun of her in some capacity. Her father...she didn't even want to consider it, the possibilities were too awful to consider. That was why she was at the Pokémon Centre, away from her family's ears, hoping against hope that no-one would overhear her. She had asked Nurse Joy to ensure her privacy, but there was always the chance that an unaware passer-by or some undercover members of the press would hear one word or more, then look at who she was talking to. They would then put two and two together, get sixteen, and either spread the story verbally or print it in one of the Hoenn tabloids. Since her mother regularly read these, it would be no time before they were found out.

"Things like these only happen on TV, not to us," she thought to herself. "This can't be real, yet I know it is. What are we going to do? How are we going to get through this?"

"Ash?" she said tentatively, seeing him bury his face in his hands. She felt tears come to her eyes as she saw him shake his head, then look at her with wide, panicked eyes.

"Are you sure?" she heard him ask, his voice quiet. She knew why: even though Delia might be supportive as well, Ash wouldn't want his mother finding out just yet.

"Yes," she answered, choking slightly on the word. "I must've gone through a dozen tests to make absolutely sure, but everything came back positive." It was true; she'd put in a herculean effort to make sure she didn't arouse her family's suspicions, and had somehow managed to keep the tests away from her parents. "Ash?"

"Hm?" Ash's face had paled beyond recognition, contrasting starkly with his black hair.

"I'm scared." May knew she wasn't really ready to be a mother, and to be honest her feelings left scared a ways behind, and even terrified wasn't sufficient either. "I'm really scared. This is such a violent change in our lives, and I don't know what to do."

"I know." Ash did his best to console her, knowing that if he stayed calm, she might calm down too. "It's a big change, and we need to keep it to ourselves right now. How long has it been since you found out?"

"About a week and a half. The signs were there soon after I got back to Hoenn, so I did everything I could to confirm it. Once I got the latest positive test, I kept it secret from my parents, but I couldn't get away long enough to tell you. They're already asking me where I'm planning on going next; they know Drew, Harley and Solidad flew out to Unova, but I'm not sure about traveling that far from home."

"There are Contests there now?" Ash looked confused, but then realized he was deviating. "Sorry, it just never occurred to me..."

"Ash, forget the Contests. We need a plan to get through this."

"I know. So what are our options?"

"Before you go any further, Ash, know that I'm keeping the baby." She'd always been taught to take responsibility for her actions, and she didn't intend to depart from that now. "I know my parents would never forgive me if I took any other option, nor would I forgive myself."

"Okay, so that variable's confirmed. So how are we supposed to keep this to ourselves? Even if we made it the best-kept secret in the world, somebody's going to notice eventually."

"Of course." Truthfully, May hated the idea of keeping this a secret. She knew her mother was always teasing her about such things, playfully implying that her relationship with Ash would culminate in the exact situation they found themselves in. Caroline would understand, and so too would Delia. But she knew her father almost certainly wouldn't be so understanding; not only was his only daughter pregnant out of wedlock, but if a story like that got out, the Petalburg Gym's reputation could be trashed, however wrongly.

"May?"

"Yeah, Ash?"

"I know this is a shock; I'm just as surprised, although since you're the one that's pregnant, you're probably feeling worse than I do. Just know that we're going to get through this. Together. I'm just as responsible for this as you are, and I'm not going to leave you behind while you're carrying my child."

"Oh, Ash!" May let the tears flow freely now. She knew he would stick by her anyway, but hearing him say it lifted her mood instantly. The tears she cried weren't only from fear and uncertainty, but of happiness as well.

"May, I love you. I'd sooner jump in the Cinnabar Island volcano before I left you behind. We'll pull through, don't worry." Ash knew he was exaggerating, but he meant every word.

"I know, Ash." May dried her eyes, then looked at the clock. "Ash, I have to go, my family will wonder where I've gotten to."

"Go to them. I'm going to think about what we can do, and then we can compare notes when we talk again."

"I'll try to call back tomorrow. It may have to be from the Centre, but it's better than risking someone finding out at home."

"Got it, May. I love you."

"I love you too, Ash." May smiled and blew him a kiss, then killed the link as she turned to leave.

Ash tossed himself onto his bed after the exchange, his head spinning. The current turn of events was mind-numbing, beyond any other feeling he'd ever had. Devastating losses may have left him depressed, but nothing could compare to this. He had to accept the reality, though: he was the father of May's child.

He felt so inadequate, unable to find out how to get them through their situation. He could go to his mother for advice, but he knew if Delia found out, he ran the risk of her telling May's parents once she discovered the girl's involvement. Telling Professor Oak would be foolish as well; the Pokémon Professor would be the first person anyone asked if there was even a hint of suspicion. Brock or Gary would be just as unreliable as Delia, and Tracey had too many contacts, particularly at the Cerulean Gym, to be told anything. Ruling out May's contacts was obvious, too: although he had gotten over his suspicion towards Drew, Ash knew he couldn't be trusted with the information either, nor could May's other rivals. So they would tell no-one. It would truly be between them, and them alone. He felt bad about keeping his own mother out of the loop, but it had to be done.

As for options, he was bereft of ideas. They couldn't just stay where they were; May would need him, and if they stayed in Hoenn someone would notice May's changing condition eventually. If May came to Kanto, suspicion would be aroused if she stayed too long. Other possibilities smashed against one another in his head, and he fell into a fitful slumber.

The next morning, Ash had figured everything out. The idea he had in mind was even more reckless than their previous conduct, and much more dangerous. But it was the only thing he could think of that might actually work, and it would keep them away from any prying eyes while they went through the resultant process.

He waited near the phone most of the day, and eventually he got the call he was hoping for. As May's face appeared on the screen, he knew exactly what to tell her.

"Hey, May," he started, smiling as calmly as he could.

"Hi, Ash," she answered, smiling back. "Have you given any more thought to how we're going to solve our little problem?"

"I have, but you may not like it."

"What are you thinking of?" May was so tense and nervous, she was willing to go along with anything. Ash took a breath and then told her his plan.

"We run."

And there's Chapter 2 in the books! The basic plan to run has been revealed, but the details remain a mystery. It's this point where I want you readers to help me out.

You see, I'm not sure where they should run away to. Kanto and Hoenn are their home regions, and too many contacts live there, and Unova is out since Ash just left there and May's rivals are there now. Kalos is also out since I know next to nothing about Generation VI, and the X&Y anime has barely taken off even in Japan. So like with my previous AdvanceShipping story, the poll has two choices. The question is simple: should they run away to Johto or Sinnoh? Simply put your choice in a comment, as well as on my profile (I'll put a poll up there too), and once I get a decent number of votes, I'll write the story according to the majority view.

Alright, that's enough to be getting on with for now, so please read, REVIEW, and tell me what you think! Until next time, namárië!