Chapter 23: An Unexpected Reunion

"Four badges already?" Ash exclaimed as Max told him about his latest adventures.

"That's right," Max said, sipping his chocolate milk while stroking Pikachu, who slept in his lap. "It took some hard work for that third badge, but I remembered some of your strategies and decided to try them out. They really worked!"

"Awesome!" Ash grinned.

"So, what brings you here, Ash?" Max asked.

"Well," Ash started with a smile, but as he remembered what he came here to tell them, his expression fell.

"Ash?" Caroline said, raising an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?"

"Uh," he started again, but before he could tell them what happened, the doorbell rang again. "Who could that be?"

"I'll get it," Caroline said, getting up and going to the door. "Oh my!"

"Hi Mom," a feminine voice said.

"May, what are you doing here?!"

"May?" Ash whispered.

"Max told me he was coming home to surprise you guys with a visit, so I decided to do the same."

"Come in, come in!" Caroline said. A moment later, she returned to the family room with the bandana-clad brunette following close behind.

"May!" Ash cried, leaping up.

"Ash?" she said in surprise. He ran up to her and hugged her tightly; she gladly returned the embrace. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I was going to tell your parents what happened back in Lumiose City," he said. "I didn't realize you'd recovered so quickly."

She pulled out a bit, giving him a cheeky grin. "They said I needed a week, remember?"

"What's this all about?" Norman asked, his face confused and serious.

"I know, but," Ash started, then he shrugged and smiled. "I guess I didn't notice how fast time flew while we were out and about."

"That happens when you get to be our age," she smiled at him. They chuckled and embraced once again. "I'm glad you're okay too, Ash."

"Same here," he said.

"I'm glad you're both okay," Norman nodded, folding his arms sternly. "But could you inform me of exactly what happened in Lumiose City?"

"Oh!" Ash and May exclaimed, pulling out of their embrace, although they kept an arm around each other. "I can explain," they both said at the same time.

Caroline just laughed. "Oh, you two," she giggled. "So in sync...it's no wonder you fell in love with each other!"

"You said it," May chuckled.

"In all seriousness, though," Ash said, "we had a bit of an accident." With that, he recounted what happened in Lumiose City to May's family.

It didn't take long for Sonic to arrive in Petalburg City. The distance to there from Slateport was practically nothing. But when he got there, he had a little problem.

"Where would Baseball Head be right now?" he wondered.

"He said he'd be going to see his girlfriend's family, right?" Hoopa said from his shadow.

"I know that," Sonic replied. "But where exactly do they live?"

"Sonic!"

He stopped when he heard the familiar female voice. "Uh-oh. I think I'd better –"

Too late. A pink hedgehog ran up and hugged him from behind. "Oh, Sonic, I'm so glad to see you!" she said. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

"Uh, yeah," Sonic muttered, pulling away. "What are you doing in Petalburg, Amy?"

"Huh? Oh! There's a shelter downtown for abandoned Pokemon. But when that massive earthquake struck, it got severely damaged, along with several other buildings. So I've been helping them get back on their feet."

"Really?" Sonic said, genuinely impressed. "Wow, that's great!"

"They need all the help they can get," Amy said. "Would you like to lend a hand?"

"I'd love to," Sonic replied, "but I'm a little busy at the moment."

"Typical Sonic," Amy giggled. "You're always busy. Why don't you take a break for once?"

"Actually, I'm always on break," he said, folding his arms with a smug look. "Saving the world is a regular pastime."

"And what exactly are you saving the world from this time?" Amy asked, playfully glaring at him with her hands on her hips.

Sonic opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out, as a sudden realization hit him. "Actually," he said, getting a little more serious, "I don't know what we're saving the world from."

"Huh?" Amy said, confused.

"At first I thought we were just thwarting another one of Eggman's schemes. But the more we fight him, the more I see something else is involved. I don't know what it is, though."

"That's odd," Amy said.

"It is," Sonic agreed. "And that's why I need to find Baseball Head. We're on a tight schedule here."

"Ash?" Amy said. "He's in town?"

"Yeah," Sonic nodded. "He said he was visiting his girlfriend's family. The problem is, I don't know where that is."

"Oh, I do!" Amy exclaimed.

"Oh?" Sonic raised an eyebrow (or whatever he had) uncertainly. "And what do I need to do for you if you show me where it is?"

"Huh?"

"You're always asking me to marry you in return for helping me. Are you going to do that again?"

"Oh!" Amy said, putting her hand on her chin. "No, I wasn't thinking of it."

Sonic blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"Really really," she nodded.

"Oh."

"Anyway, follow me!" Amy said, rushing off. Sonic shrugged to himself and ran after her.

"Oh, my poor sweet May!" Caroline wailed as she held her embarrassed daughter tightly after Ash finished his story.

"Mom, I'm fine, really," May replied with a deadpan expression.

"I find it hard to believe that the machine landed just right to prevent any serious injury," Norman mused, arms folded.

"I was just as shocked as you were," Ash said. "I thought she'd be seriously injured, too."

"I guess luck was on your side then, huh?" Max smiled softly.

"Yeah, it was," May said as she wriggled out of her mother's embrace.

"I'm so sorry I put your daughter through all this," Ash apologized. "It was very irresponsible of me and –"

"Now now," Norman chuckled, holding his hand up to stop Ash. "There's no need for apology."

"Huh?" Ash blinked.

"None of this was your fault, Ash. You couldn't have seen it coming." Norman smiled slightly as he put his hand on Ash's shoulder. "But I appreciate your taking responsibility. You've grown into a fine young man, Ash Ketchum, and I can't think of anyone better suited to take care of my daughter."

Ash was taken aback by Norman's words, but after a moment he smiled. "Thank you, Norman," he said. "I appreciate your understanding." He picked up his backpack, which he'd laid to the side. "Well, that's all I came here to say. I should probably go now."

"Leaving so soon?" Caroline said. "Why don't you stay awhile?"

"Gee, I'd love to," Ash smiled, "but unfortunately, Eggman's got a devilish scheme up his sleeve. I'm helping Sonic and friends to stop him."

"I see," Norman nodded. "Another average day for you?"

"You could say that," Ash laughed, along with everyone else.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" May grinned, pumping her fist. "Let's go!"

"Whoa, hold it!" Ash said, putting his hands out. "What are you doing, May?"

May blinked. "I'm coming with you, of course," she replied, confused.

Ash shook his head. "I'd rather you not, May."

She frowned slightly. "Why not?"

"You already suffered one injury, and we're extremely lucky it wasn't serious. I couldn't bear to see you get hurt again."

May folded her arms, frowning. "Ash, you know I'm not going to just sit by idly while you go on an adventure without me," she said.

"I know, but," he said, "it's dangerous out there. I don't know what will happen."

There was silence for a moment. Then, May let her arms down, walked up to him and hugged him. "Did you know what would happen when you first started your journey?" she asked so everyone could hear. "Did you know what would happen when we first started travelling together? I know I didn't. And yet here we are now, in a place we never knew we would be." She pulled out and looked at him longingly. "There's no telling what will happen, Ash. That's why it's an adventure. And whether you want me to or not, I'm coming with you."

Ash looked at her, standing still for a moment because of her touching words. "I...I guess you're right. Just...promise me you won't get yourself hurt."
"I'll do my best," she smiled. Then she turned to her family, specifically her brother. "What about you, Max? Wanna join us?"

"Really? You mean it, sis?!" Max said, a grin bursting on his face.

"It'd be just like old times," she nodded.

"I'd love to!" Max cheered, leaping up and running up to them. "This is going to be awesome!"

"Sure is," Ash smiled, then his face turned serious. "But it's also going to be very dangerous. Are you sure you want to put yourself at risk?"

"Pft! Bring it on!" Max smirked, adjusting his glasses. "I faced so many dangers when I travelled with you, why should I worry?"

"That's the spirit!" Ash fist-pumped. "I don't suppose your parents will be upset, will they?"

Caroline shook her head with a mother's smile. "Go on, get out of here," she said, waving her hand.

"Stay safe out there," Norman nodded in succession.

"Great!" Ash said. "Thanks, Norman and Caroline! We'll come back soon, I promise!"

"Bye!" May and Max waved as they went out the door, leaving the parents behind.

"They grow up so fast," Caroline smiled to herself. "Isn't it wonderful?"

"Yes, it is," Norman agreed.

A large battleship slowly floated over Mt. Pyre. Who was at the helm? I think it should be obvious.

"So this is Mt. Pyre, is it?" Eggman sneered.

"That's right!" Meowth grinned. "This is where a Chaos Emerald is!"

"Excellent," Eggman sneered. "We can snatch the emerald and throw Sonic and company off our trail while I finally construct Eggmanland!"

"But where are you going to construct it?" James asked.

"We need to find somewhere where the twerps won't find us," Jessie said.

"And I know just where to go," Eggman sneered.

"Where?" Team Rocket asked.

Eggman just chuckled. "The Ferrum region."