Chapter 1 - May (continued)
Weeks flew by and soon May, her younger brother Max and Drew found themselves on a ferry over to Kanto. May had been unusually quiet during their trip over, which Drew took note of. Fortunately, or rather unfortunately for Drew, the silence had been filled by May's brother Max. Although the younger teen had grown up somewhat, he was still a tad too forward and obnoxious as he proceeded to grill Drew on everything bout his performance at the last Grand Festival and of course his proposal to his sister. Drew took the boy in his stride and replied with all the polite grace he could muster towards his future brother-in-law, whilst constantly side eyeing his clearly distracted fiancé.
Before long the trio hit Kanto and headed to Cerulean City, Misty's hometown and where they would be staying for the duration of the wedding. After checking into their hotel, the travellers from Hoenn descended upon the Cerulean City Gym to meet up with the betrothed couple.
"May! Drew! Oh hey and Max too! Awesome it's so great to see you all, it's been too long!" Ash offered his old friends a warm greeting as they entered the gym lobby.
"Pi kaaaa!" Pikachu also pleased to see the group chirped happily from Ash's shoulder.
"I'm so glad you all could make it to our big day on such short notice." The Pokémon Champion continued as he welcomed hugged May.
"Yeah. Short notice …" May repeated as she returned the gesture.
"It's great to see you again May, Max, and nice to finally meet you Drew, I've heard a lot about you." Misty extended out a hand to green haired man who shook it warmly.
"Likewise."
Max rushed over to the Cerulean Gym Leader. "Misty! Have you heard? I'm the Petalburg City Gym Leader now!"
"You are?" Ash raised his eyes in surprise. "Piikkkaaa!" "That's amazing Max." Misty nodded with a warm smile.
May crossed her arms "You're not the Gym Leader Max! You're just an understudy for Dad."
Max pressed his fingers together. "Well that kinda makes me the gym leader …"
"No. It doesn't." Drew added bluntly.
"It's a great start." Misty interjected, smiling at the younger Maple sibling. "Standing in for my sisters was how I became the Cerulean Gym Leader."
Max beamed. Misty always understood him.
"Sooo. Ash, Misty. Getting married. Congratulations." May put on a somewhat forced smile. "Tell us everything. The proposal, the journey there, I mean I didn't even know you two were an item. When did you even two get together?"
Misty smiled. "It all started when Ash came back and challenged me right here at the Cerulean Gym."
*** Flashback ***
"Misty you have a challenger!" Daisy's voice rang out across the Cerulean Gym. Misty lifted her head up and sighed. She picked up her pokéballs and slowly made her way out to the pool.
She'd lost enthusiasm for battling recently. Her mood not helped with Ash, her best friend and longtime crush being splashed all over every media outlet in the country since beating Leon to be ranked number 1. Some time had passed since then and the dumb boy hadn't made any contact with her … no letter, no phone call, no nothing. Had he finally forgotten her? Just another person left behind on his journey …
Misty trudged to the pool side, not even looking up. Ready to go through the motions if only for the league rulings of having to accept every challenge …
"Hi Misty. Long time no see."
Misty's head bolted up and her eyes went wide. That voice. Before her stood the young man she'd been obsessing about. He'd grown taller since she'd last seen him, his height now well eclipsing her own. His shoulders had broadened, making the Pikachu perched on there look smaller than before. Most of his features remained the same. His wild black unkempt hair tamed under his signature red and white cap.
"ASH!" Misty's face lit up. "And Pikachu!"
"Pikachu Pi!" The yellow pokémon lifted his paw in greeting. He really wanted to bound over to his old friend and into her arms, but she was on the opposite side of the water.
The young man gave the Gym Leader a peace sign. "Long time no see Mist."
"Wha, what are you doing here?"
"I came here to challenge you."
Misty was floored. "What? Challenge me? Your World Number 1! Why do you need a Cascade badge that you already have?"
"I'm here to make things official."
"Official?" Misty's expression turned from shocked to smug. "So, you finally admit you never really won our first match?"
"I never said that." Ash smirked.
"Well. I accept. This will be a 2 on 2 battle with no time limit."
"Works for me."
Misty released her first pokémon, Marill.
"Oh your Azurill evolved. Nice. I'm going to start off with Corphish."
Both water types faced off in the Cerulean Pool. After some back-and-forth moves Marill came out on top, knocking Corphish out.
"So if you're ranked number 1 in the world … and then I win this match … would that make me World Number 1?" Misty put her finger to her lip cheekily.
"NO!" Ash pouted. "No way, this isn't a ranked match!" The Champion looked down. "Pikachu, you want to battle Misty?"
"Pi kaaa!" The electric mouse jumped onto the pool platform ready to go.
"Well if you're going with Pikachu, I'm choosing Corsola!" Misty recalled Marill and released her second pokémon.
"Corsola? I thought you'd choose Gyarados. His Mega Evolution is awesome!"
"And that's why I didn't. I know I can't afford the weakness against Pikachu's electric attacks, I've learned that from our last battle. At least with Corsola we have an offensive! Corsola Earthquake!"
"Earthquake?" Ash titled his head. "But we're fighting in a pool." The teen laughed. "You need ground to make a ground move work Misty."
"Maybe, or maybe this is like no other Earthquake move you've seen before!"
"Huh?"
With that Corsola dived down to the bottom of the pool. Pikachu stood on the float platform, looking down into the water completely confused.
"I don't know what your plan is Misty, but you made a big mistake putting Corsola in the water like that. Pikachu Thunderbolt!"
"Piiii Kaaaaaa"
Misty smirked a glint in her eye.
Just as Pikachu was about to let off his powerful move the water in the pool began to ripple, affecting the platform the little mouse was standing on, causing it to shake violently. Pikachu affected by the shaking stopped mid attack, doing his best just to stay upright.
"What the?!" Ash stood perplexed by what he was seeing. "What is this?"
Misty smirked. "Corsola's Water Earthquake attack. Like it?"
Pikachu fell over on the float, clinging on desperately as it continued to shake.
"Hang in there Pikachu! If you can just let off one Thunderbolt attack into the water it's all over for Misty's Corsola!"
"Piiii KaaaaaaaChuuuuuuuuu" The little mouse held his eyes tightly closed and gritted his teeth. He sparked up his cheeks.
"Don't be so sure Ash. Corsola Mirror Coat!"
Corsola put up a barrier, reflecting the attack off herself and back onto Pikachu for twice the damage.
"Now finish Pikachu off with Spike Cannon!" Misty pointed out confidently.
"Pikachu dodge it!"
Pikachu tried to dodge the onslaught but with the limited space of the float platform he was standing on was unable to avoid the attack. Pikachu fell to the move. The match was Misty's.
Ash jumped to the platform Pikachu was on and scooped up his friend into his arms. "Pikachu! Are you ok?"
"Pika pika." The fallen pokémon looked to his trainer and nodded slightly, smiling gently. He was worn down but no serious injuries.
"Is Pikachu OK?" Misty shouted out across the pool.
Ash looked over at the Water Gym Leader and nodded, much to relief. He looked back to his defeated Pikachu in his arms. She beat us … No way …
"Pikachu … you were great. Rest here for a bit buddy. You'll be just fine." He placed Pikachu gently down to rest, then relaxed his face and laughed out loud. Turning his cap backwards he dived into the pool, Pikachu remained on the platform recovering from the lost battle.
Misty beamed and also laughed out loud, diving into the pool moments after Ash did. The two swam towards each other meeting in the middle. Ash grabbed Misty by the waist hoisted her half up out the water and spun her around playfully. The two teenagers laughed, enjoying themselves at being reunited again. He placed the water Gym Leader back into the pool water as Misty hugged Ash around the neck and then parted from him. Ash kept his hands on her waist. Misty noted the continued contact but feeling completely relaxed in her friend's company, left her hands on his arms.
"I really love battling you Misty, you get me amped up like no one else."
Misty blushed and looked down. "Thanks Ash, that's sweet of you to say."
"I mean it. No one pushes me like you do. It's always been you Misty, right from day 1."
Misty looked up at the boy, now man she loved. "Ash?"
Their eyes met. "I love you Misty. I think I always have, even when I didn't really know what love was or meant. I came here today to ask you this. Will you marry me?"
Misty was stunned in his arms. She slightly pulled away in shock. "Marry you? Ash what are you saying?!"
"That I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You and Pikachu"
"But Ash … this is crazy! Marry?! We've not even dated?"
"We don't need to. We've travelled together for years. I know you and everything about you. And you know me and everything about me."
"I guess so … but Ash we've never even kissed."
"Oh … well we can fix that."
Ash pulled the red headed beauty into him and planted his lips firmly into hers.
After getting over the initial shock of her best friend's bold move, Misty closed her eyes and deepened the kiss, hoisting herself up out the water and almost diving on the Pokémon Master, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Staying in the embrace for several minutes the two finally parted, Misty's eyes still shut as if in a dream. She quietly breathed out a word. "Yes."
"Huh?"
"Yes Ash Ketchum. I will marry you!"
"Alright! Woo hooo!" Ash once again picked Misty out the water and spun her around.
"Pika Pi!"
Ash turned to the side of the pool where his faithful friend had run over to greet them both, mostly recovered from their battle.
"Pikachu!" Ash and Misty swam over to the pools edge. "Guess what! Misty's sticking with us now. Permanently."
Misty and Ash exchanged loving glances. The little mouse chirped with glee as the two trainers fussed him, all beaming with happiness.
*** End ***
"That was about two months ago." Misty stated finishing her story.
May, Max and Drew all paled. "Only … two months … ago?"
"Wait …" Drew pointed at Ash. "You just went into it like that? What if Misty never loved you to begin with?"
"Hum." Ash looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully before looking back at his friends. He put his hand to the back of his head and laughed. "Honestly that never occurred to me."
Max, May and Drew all fell to the floor.
Max jumped back up and looked to his friend excitedly. "So Ash can I be one of your Ushers at the wedding?!"
"Ah ... Umm I kinda have those spaces filled Max." Ash replied, sweat dropping with embarrassment.
"Oh …" Max looked downwards, clearly disappointed.
"But tell ya what, should anything happen, you'll be my first reserve!"
"I am? You promise?"
"Sure." Ash nodded and grinned in agreement. "Pikachu!" Pikachu lifted his paw, solidifying the promise.
"Alright!" Max pumped the air in excitement. "I'll be ready!"
"Excuse me, I think I need some air!" May exited the gym abruptly, much to the others surprise.
"Umm I think I better see if May's alright." Drew made his excuses and followed his fiancé out the gym.
Max oblivious to the situation turned to Ash and Misty. "Is it ok if I stay here with you guys? I'd love to help with the Gym pokémon!"
"Sure Max, that sounds great." Misty smiled at Max before looking back at the door. Her face serious with slight concern.
May stormed down the street, the cool ice cream in her hand not enough to sooth her fiery temper. "They only got together THAT DAY! I mean how utterly impulsive and idiotic can you get?"
Drew following May out suggested they stop at an ice cream van, his treat, hoping food would turn the tide. Max had decided to stay at the Cerulean Gym awhile longer to help out with the gym pokémon.
"They should be dating first, you know for at least a few years, get to know each other as a couple, see if they work. Not dive in headfirst to the biggest commitment of their lives! It's crazy, totally crazy! They're making the biggest mistake of their lives, and what's worse no one is saying anything! Why am I the only one freaking out?!"
Drew shrugged. "Well that's Ash for you. I'm honestly not that surprised, I mean it is the kinda impulsive stunt he'd pull. I don't know Misty, but she seems smart and mature enough that their impending nuptials might not be a complete dumpster fire. You know, I've got a feeling it's going to work out for those crazy kids. They have known each other since they were 10years old May … kinda like me and you May."
"No! We are nothing like them!"
Drew stared at May, taken aback by her words and how angry she was. The brunette didn't notice the hurt look her fiancé gave her as he stopped walking alongside May and stood still. His eyebrows creased. "May. Is there something I should know about?"
May paused her rant. "Huh?"
"Between you and Ash."
May burst out laughing. "Me and Ash?! You're kidding right?"
Drew clenched his teeth, locking his jaw. He was deadly serious.
May waved her hands dismissively. "What? No that's not it at all! No way! The guy is a friend and mentor to me, like an older brother vibe. Platonic with a capital P."
"Are you sure? I mean I kinda felt before that maybe there could have been something between you two way back when, you know when you were travelling together and stuff. But I put it behind me, figured he was out the picture and I was making something of nothing. But now you find out he's finally taken after all this time, you start acting very weird. Like you're jealous, May."
"Me? Jealous? Ha that's a laugh. Ha Ha HA!"
"If you say so May. Maybe my gut feeling back then wasn't so off after all." With that Drew turned and walked off.
"Drew!" May called after her fiancé and slumped her shoulders when she realised he wasn't coming back any time soon. He was hurt. May ambled over to a bench and flopped down. Why was she acting this way? What was it about all this that had her so riled up?
She pulled out her pokégear. She needed a friend right now and she knew exactly who.
"So May, why does this bother you so much?" Dawn sucked on her straw, getting the last bit of mocktail up through the ice of her drink.
Dawn had come to Kanto a few days before May, Drew and Max had arrived. The two friends met up in the shopping district central Celadon City, catching up over a few drinks before attending Ash's big day in the days to come.
"It doesn't bother me." May retorted a little too sharply.
Dawn knitted her eyebrows together.
May noted the look. "Well, ok it does. A bit."
Dawn creased her frown further.
"Fine. It really does."
"Well, I know how you feel about Drew, and I don't think you're secretly in love with Ash, so we can cross that off. Do you not like Misty?"
"No Misty's great. But do they make a good couple? Who knows?! Because they haven't dated!"
"Woah May, you really are off about this. Shipping Ash with someone else are we?"
"No it's not that. It's just …" May sighed. "Me and Drew have been dating for 3 years. We had a thing since we were 10. There was, I don't know, a build up to this? I wanted our engagement announcement to be … big. You know be the centre of attention for a bit. But then Ash comes along, him and Misty aren't even dating and BAM! They're getting married before us?! Me and Drew haven't even set a date!"
Dawn relaxed her eyebrows and gave her friend a sympathetic smile. "I do get where you're coming from. You had all this big, exciting news. You'd won the Grand Festival, became a top coordinator, got engaged to the love of your life, and then you had to share all that with someone else. I get it. But well Ash and Misty have always had a thing too. Them getting together has been a looooong time coming too."
May's eyes widened with shock. "They have? Since when?!"
"Umm since day 1! Duh! You'd have to be blind to miss that. Don't you remember how possessive he got over that little lure trinket he carried around that she gave him?"
"Really?" May squinted an eye and cocked her eyebrow. She always thought the two were just old friends, nothing more. May thought back to their time travelling together along with Misty but still couldn't get her head around it. Ash and Misty? Was she really so dense?
"It doesn't take anything away from you and Drew though. When you first got together it was the talk of the town! We all thought you two were perfect for each other and now you're getting married! It's a fairy tale dream come true. Everyone is so super excited for you both and your special day."
"I guess you're right …" May looked down.
"I am right. Trust me. No need to worry. Hey, have you spoken to Serena?"
May looked at Dawn sadly. "I have. She hasn't taken the news so well either, she won't be attending the ceremony. Bonny and Clemont are coming though."
"Arw that's too bad. Guess it makes sense I wouldn't really want to watch the love of my life walk down the aisle with someone else either …"
A small silence broke and the two looked downwards sadly for their heartbroken friend.
May looked back up at Dawn. "What about Chloe and Goh?"
"Chloe is a maybe. She really wants to come, but Goh won't, so she hesitant to go without him."
May tilted her head slightly. "Weird. I wonder why Goh won't come? I thought he and Ash were really close."
Dawn shrugged. "It's a mystery."
Deciding to switch the subject, the brunette moved onto the bluenette's love life. "So have you decided who your plus one to the wedding will be?"
"Ugggggghhhh. No! What a headache! Kenny is too keen, Paul is not keen enough, Conway is urgh Conway, Barry is just a friend and then …"
May giggled. "Oh Dawn it must be nice to be so popular!"
"You'd think!" Dawn placed her face and head in her hands, rubbing her temples. "At this rate I'll be flying solo to the biggest social event on the calendar."
"Oh well … no need to worry. Right?" May grinned citing Dawns usual catchphrase.
Dawn's face paled but then she giggled along with her friend as they continued their girly catch up.
Drew sat on the edge of the large Cerulean City fountain looking glum. He pictured May's angry face.
No! We are nothing like them!
He clenched his eyes shut, desperate to fight back the hurt from their fight.
"Drew?"
The green haired man looked up to the familiar voice. Misty. "Oh hey … what are you doing here?"
"Not much, you don't look happy though. Where's May?"
Drew looked away folded his arms and snorted in response.
Misty walked over and sat by him. "Do you want to tell me what's going on?"
The green haired coordinator took a deep breath. May as well be honest. "We had a big fight. May and I."
"Oh? What about?"
Drew sighed and looked at the older woman. "You and Ash. Getting Married. She just can't seem to get over the … suddenness … I guess."
Misty was taken aback but then laughed. "Yeah I guess it is pretty crazy of us. Me and Ash go way back. I've been in love with the guy since I was 10. We've been through so much together; experienced so much … it feels right for us to take this next step."
Drew looked Misty in the eye. "There's something I really need to ask you." Drew took a deep breath. "You were in love with Ash since you were 10, but did you ever … get jealous of Ash and May?"
"May and Ash?" Misty pondered for a brief moment before grinning and laughing out loud at the idea. "Nope. Never."
"Really, never?"
"Maybe that they were all travelling together, and I was stuck at the Cerulean Gym covering for my sisters. Not over May as a person though and trust me, I've been more than jealous over a few girls that have come Ash's way! But no, never May. They've just never had that vibe. May was more like a little sister to him. Besides May was in love with you."
Drew's eyes widened. "She was?"
Misty nodded. "I travelled with May for a little while in Kanto, way back then with Ash, Brock and Max. All she ever talked about was food, contests, and you. I didn't even have to meet you to know you were more than just a rival to her. She was head over heels, she just didn't know it yet."
Drew let out a genuine smile. "Thank you."
"You have nothing worry about." Misty smiled warmly.
"I'm really glad to have met you Misty." "You too, Drew."
Travelling back to Cerulean City, May walked into the hotel they were staying at and soon spotted Drew sat solo at a table, scrolling on his tablet whilst sipping on a cup of coffee waiting for her. She took a breath and approached him.
"Drew. Can we talk?"
Drew looked up, his expression almost blank. "Is it a good talk or bad talk?"
May lifted up her hands and waved them frantically "Heyyy common! All good, all good! …"
She sat down at the table. "I met up with Dawn today, we talked through some things and I think I realise now why I've been so bugged out by all this. Ash casually making that announcement like that, it threw me. I wanted to be happy for them I really did, but I couldn't be because, well … Ash stole my thunder. I wanted the moment to be all about me. About us. And then it wasn't anymore. I felt it was taken away. Does that make me really petty?"
"Hmm. It is a little petty. … But." Drew clasped his fiancés hand on the table. "But I think maybe we both have been." The green haired man winked and smiled at his love.
May smiled softly. "I grew up with Ash, he was my friend and mentor, I looked up to him. Honestly, I've always been a little in awe of him and felt in his shadow. That's why I came away from him and Brock and travelled to Johto. To find myself."
"I thought you came to follow me." Drew teased, earning a gentle slap on the hand from May as she carried on.
"It's always been like that. Ash wins a badge; I win a ribbon. He becomes world ranking number 1; I become a top coordinator. We both share the Terracotta Ribbon. The first pokémon I ever caught was Wurmple that evolved into Beautifly. His was a caterpie that evolved into Butterfree. Heck we practically have the same pokémon team! I met the love of my life at 10, turns out he also met the love of his life at 10." May threw her hands up in the air, "I find the best cake in Hoenn; of course, he then goes and finds the best cheeseburger in Kanto! A thick ¼ pounder beef patty, melted mature cheddar, lightly toasted brioche bun with the most delicious relish made of ketchup, mustard, pickles, and tiny crispy diced onions …"
May placed her hands back on the table. She'd gone off topic.
"So, when you proposed, I thought I was finally having my moment. But Ash got their first. Again. Once more I was transported to 10-year-old me, just a rookie following and doing what Ash does. Being the same, doing the same. A copy-skitty. As always."
"Hm. I see. But you're not an Ash clone May. You never were. Don't you see how much more you are? How much more you've always been?"
May looked up at Drew as their eyes met.
"May, you chose to become a coordinator with no outside influence. If you just mirrored Ash, you'd be battling in the pokémon league. But you decided that wasn't for you. You made the choice to leave your safe little travelling group to grow on your own and develop a style away from his. Plus you really are a lot cooler than that guy and way more stylish might I add." Drew smirked.
May giggled. She beamed at the green haired man before her. Drew always knew the right thing to say. He always had. Their eyes met and his face became serious. "May. I'm sorry I got all riled up and jealous before. I made something over nothing and acted like an idiot. Forgive me?"
May shook her head. "No I'm the one that should say sorry, I shouldn't have let you feel like that. You're my number one, Drew. You always have been."
Drew smiled at his fiancé. "Shall we get dinner?"
"DEAR MEW YES!"
With that the two walked off hand in hand.
The Ketchum wedding went off without incident. Even Team Rocket didn't make an appearance for once in Ash's life. It had been a simplistic yet beautiful ceremony and now the party was in full swing with everyone making the most of the night.
Ash and Misty had finished their first dance and now guests were relaxing, allowing their food to digest, or making their way onto the floor to join the newlyweds.
May, Iris, Chloe and Dawn were sat together at a table giggling and gossiping mainly over Dawns social dilemmas as she was torn which boy to approach for the last dance.
"Ugh Kenny's over that side of the room … and Pauls over that side. Arrggh! How do I choose which side to go to?!"
"Which side of the room is the dessert cart on?" May suggested.
"Do you ever think of anything but food?" Iris teased.
"Um, sometimes?" May looked upwards thinking as the other girls giggled.
"So Chloe, do you think Goh will magically show up and take you for the last dance?" Dawn beamed taking the attention off her.
Chloe half smiled and shook her head sadly. Her friend would not be turning up. The three other girls looked to her with soft sympathetic smiles.
Dawn turned to the next girl on the table. "How about you Iris? Got your eye on anyone?"
"A Dragon Master like me has no time for boys! But I suppose I'll have a friendly dance with Cilan later … if Burgundy allows it."
The girls looked over to the other side of the room where they saw the tempestuous woman clearly antagonising Cilan over something, with the suave green haired connoisseur taking it all on the chin with class.
"She's kinda a pain in the neck isn't she." Dawn giggled.
"You have nooo idea." Iris rolled her eyes and laughed along, the other girls joining in.
"Excuse me ladies. May I take this beautiful woman off your hands for a dance?" Drew walked over gave a small bow to the women, offering his hand to May.
The table all giggled. "You may." The girls approved. "Have fun you two."
The Hoenn pair nodded and made their way onto the dance floor as the other girls swooned over the romantic couple before them. "Why can't my love life be like that." They all chorused in unison.
May placed her hand on Drew's shoulder whilst he wrapped his around her petite waist. They began to sway in unison.
"You feelin' better now, May?"
"I am." May smiled. "I really haven't been myself lately, have I? I was acting a bit bridezilla there for a while."
"I'm saying nothing."
May looked over as Ash dipped Misty on the dance floor, dangerously close to dropping her in the process, the two laughing with joy. Pikachu precariously balancing on his trainer's shoulder joining in the family fun. "But looking at those two, I see it now. Two decades, two years, two months. It doesn't matter. How can I not be happy for them? They are made for each other."
"Yeah they kinda are aren't they."
"Just like me and you." May smiled at Drew who gently placed a kiss a top his fiancés forehead, all doubts and fears cleared from his mind.
"This wedding really is beautiful." May sighed and hugged into Drew's chest.
"It is. But imagine."
"Hm?" May looked up at Drew.
"Imagine. This wedding is this good with only two months planning. Imagine what our wedding organised by two top, and may I add very stylish, coordinators with a years planning will be like. May, our Wedding Day is going to completely blow theirs out the water."
May beamed. "You're right Drew! Our day will kick their day's ass. I love you" The two shared a kiss as the music carried on.
*** A year later ***
"The wedding will be this Spring, so please keep an eye for the invite! We'll have a dessert cart, ice cream bar chocolate fountain and a popcorn stand with 20 different flavours!"
May was once again doing the rounds on the video phone, giving out personal save the date for her and Drews upcoming wedding. Once again she'd punched in that Kanto dial code and the familiar mop of black unruly hair graced her screen.
"Ah that's awesome May! Can't wait. By the way Misty is pregnant."
"SHE'S WHAAA?!"
Next Chapter Dawn