Originally this chapter was going to be the entire fishing competition but I honestly got too lazy after it took me about 30 minutes to do the FIRST match. So this chapter takes place after the tournament. Ash won. (No surprise)
"Even though Ash won, you were still really impressive May!" Exclaimed Dawn.
"She's right. You were very impressive May," said Cilan. "To be able to beat me and Brock without much difficulty is impressive."
"Yeah! Ash even had a hard time against you! If he hadn't reeled that Dragalage at the end, you would have won for sure," said Iris.
"I don't know guys…"
"Don't be modest May! You were amazing! When I went up against Ash, I couldn't even get close to beating him! You lost by 50 points!" Said Misty.
'Praise is nice and all but…I just want to be praised by Ash right now…'
"OH MAN! THIS LOOKS GOOD!"
"Max! Mind your manners!" Said May, giving him a good smack to the head.
Leanne chuckled. "It's alright May. This is for all your effort you put into that competition."
The group were currently back at Rand's house and were all being treated to a feast.
"So is it tomorrow Haruba takes you back to Kanto?" Asked Rand.
Gary looked down. "Yeah. This is such a wonderful place. I wish I could stay and research."
Dawn squeezed Gary's hand. "Don't worry Gary, we'll probably visit again."
Gary smiled at Dawn then looked at Ash who smiled at him.
"Gary Oak, I think it would be alright if you want to set up a lab here. We currently have no professors here."
"You mean it Ash?!"
"Yes. I…I haven't realized how much I've missed you guys…You guys were my best friends and I just left for so long. I am sorry. I acted rash as I usually did, without thinking."
Everyone was surprised as they never expected Ash to apologize to them. Leanne smiled.
"Well, when do you want me to start setting up?" Asked Gary.
"Oh, you won't be doing any of the building. You just need to let me, Rand, and Booker how it is structured and we will build it. You don't know anything about the habitats of Pokemon."
"I understand Ash. How will I return though?"
"Next Sunday, Haruba will be at the Pallet Town docks. Get everything ready by then. And Dawn…"
"Huh?"
"Feel free to move in with him," Ash said with a wink, causing the two to blush and everyone to laugh. But Dawn hugged him nonetheless.
"Thank you so much Ash! I owe you," said Dawn.
"But, what about your career Dawn?" Asked Misty.
"I can make a living just by performing contests to the people here. They don't have contests here so it would be a new thrill to them," said Dawn.
The evening went by fast with everyone celebrating. It wasn't just a party for the tournament though, but more so for finally seeing Ash after about a decade, as well as getting to see a region that the Pokemon League Association didn't have any authority over.
The next day came by fast and they were all at the dock at Cocona Village. Haruba was getting his boat ready.
"I'll be seeing you soon Ashy-boy!" Said Gary.
"Me too," said Dawn.
"And by the time you return, we will have your lab built," said Ash. Last night, Gary worked on how we wanted his lab to be like and Ash, with some adjustments to the blueprint, agreed.
"Will we ever see you again?" Asked Tracy.
"Probably not but, I promise to keep in touch," said Ash.
"We'll hold you to that," said Iris.
"The boat's ready!" Shouted Haruba. Everyone boarded the ship, except May who stopped once she stepped on the plank. She looked back and saw Ash, who gave her a smile. She smiled back and then looked up and saw Drew, holding out his hand. She ignored Drew and slowly got on the ship. When she did, the ship started moving and she looked back, wondering if it was a good idea to leave.
'No! I'm just leaving him again…Not this time!" May stepped back, then, to everyone's surprise, she jumped off the boat.
Ash was watching the ship leave with the friends he reunited with. Misty, Brock, Tracey, Max, Gary, Dawn, Iris, Cilan, May…
Ash had a smile on his face as he watched his friends leave. He was glad to have them back in his life. His smile disappeared the moment he saw May jumped off the boat.
"What is she doing?" Asked Ash as he quickly rushed off the docks and jumped in the water to get her. She was thrashing about in the water before she started swimming towards him. He quickly grabbed her and swam back to shore with her. "What were you thinking?" Asked Ash.
"I didn't-ACHOO," sneezed May. She started shivering and Ash sighed. He looked towards the boat and saw it had stopped and Haruba was waiting for a response of sorts. Ash walked to the edge of the docks, with May in his arms and shouted.
"JUST TAKE THEM BACK! MAY WILL BE FINE!" Shouted Ash. Haruba nodded, gave a salute and soon the ship started moving again, into the distance before it couldn't be seen again.
A sneeze made Ash look at the shivering girl in his arms. "Foolish girl," muttered Ash as he brought her to his place.
May awoke at the smell of something delicious. When she opened her eyes, she never expected to see a bowl of soup on the desk next to her bed...Wait, bed?
"You're awake," a voice said, startling May. She looked across her bed and saw Ash sitting on it. "What you did was foolish. The fishing tournament should have told you how dangerous the waters around here are. Many different Pokemon live in the seas, including Sharpedo's. Not to mention that a wave could have drowned you."
May looked down. "I'm sorry Ash."
Ash sighed. "Why did you jump May?"
"I…" May then started crying, catching Ash off guard.
"What's wrong May?" Asked Ash.
"I…I…You said that we wouldn't see you again! I know you said you'll keep in touch but…that's not enough! I need to see you face to face! Talking isn't enough," said May as she started to control her sobs. "I just want to stay with here with you, even if it's for a little longer."
Ash raised his hand and wiped a tear off of May's cheek. "May. Just so you know, I have forgiven you," said Ash, causing May to look up. "And you're welcome to stay here for a while longer."
May couldn't believe what she heard but she had a smile on her face as she jumped up and hugged Ash. "Thank you Ash! Thank you so much! You have no idea how much it means to me!" May didn't even know how much this meant to her herself.
Ash broke the hug. "Now you should have the soup so you don't get a cold. Best to stop a cold from occurring then to wait for it."
May nodded and was jumping with joy in the inside. She gets to stay with Ash for a while longer! Maybe she could get him to become best friends with her again. She wasn't going to rush things though. She learned to take things slow.