Chapter 5: Making New Friends

The next day, Ash and May were heading off towards the Rustboro Settlement. May wanted to show Ash more of the Kingdom, which he was more than up for. The king was happy to allow it, but was surprised when May declined the royal carriage.

"I'd much rather walk," she said. "It's a beautiful day out, the town isn't very far, and Sir Ash here can protect me if I need it!"

"Alright then," the king consented. "But be careful!"

"We will!"

A while later, the two of them were deep in Petalburg Woods.

"Ash, can we rest for a minute? I could use a minute to rest my feet."

Ash nodded, and sat down on a log in a clearing. May sat down across from him, massaging her aching feet.

"I don't know how the guards can stand to be on their feet all day. It's only been an hour, and I can't stand it!"

"It was your idea."

A glare from the princess quickly shut him up.

"I just don't want to rely on other people so much. It's why I begged my father to let me have a Pokemon in the first place, after all!"

Ash nodded in understanding.

"Say Ash, is it alright if I ask you a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Your Pikachu does have a Pokeball, doesn't it? Why is he always on your shoulder all of the time?"

Ash chuckled.

"Well, he does, but he doesn't like it very much. He used to attack me every time I tried to return him, so eventually I gave up. Besides, he likes it on my shoulder, don't you buddy?"

"Pi!"

"And…it doesn't hurt you to have the extra weight?"

"Pika!"
Ash gently stroked Pikachu's fur, calming him down before he could shock the Princess, who quickly threw her hands up in surrender.

"I didn't mean it like that? It's just…"

"It's alright, I know you didn't mean to insult you. It used to, but after a while you hardly notice it. Besides, Pikachu's my best buddy! I wouldn't want him anywhere else!"

Pikachu smiled, and nuzzled up against Ash's cheek. This made May smile.

"You have such a way with Pokemon. The way you interact with Pikachu, it's like you're one in the same."

Ash chuckled, reminiscing about the past.

"It wasn't always that way! In fact, when Pikachu and I first met, he hated my guts!"

"Really? How did you earn his trust?"

Ash told May all about his first day as a trainer, from an uncooperative Pikachu to being chased by a flock of Spearow. He even told her about seeing Ho-oh, which she found most intriguing.

"You really saw Ho-oh? Surely, you must be joking!"

"I assure you, I'm not. Right, Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

"Incredible! I've heard legends about it from merchants and other sailors, but to think anyone has actually seen it…"

"Yeah, and that was just our first day! Pikachu and I have had some pretty wild adventures since then."

May could only stare at him in awe, amazed by his incredible tales.

"You're amazing, Ash."

"Ah, I'm nothing special, really. Just an ordinary trainer out on a journey to become a Pokemon Master!"

May quirked an eyebrow, curious.

"A Pokemon Master? What, pray tell, is that?"

"It's what I strive to be one day. A trainer who has learned all there is to know about Pokemon!"

May smiled at his enthusiasm.

"It must be so great to have something to work towards."

"What about you? Don't you have a goal in life?"
May just shrugged.

"Not really, or at least not one I can really work towards. I'm next in line to the throne, so when my father passes away I'll become queen, but that's hopefully a long time away."

"What about catching Pokemon? The Professor did trust you with Pokeballs."

"Honestly, I only agreed to help him so that I have an excuse to get out of the castle more. I have nothing against Pokemon, but when you're a Princess who's constantly surrounded by servants meant to do every little task for you, sometimes you just need to get away. I really have no goal in mind, but…"

She looked down at her Torchic's Pokeball.

"I do want to learn more about Pokemon. Not just because I promised the Professor, but to grow as a future ruler. Pokemon will be my subjects too someday, and I want to learn about them so I can help them."

Ash smiled, and gently patted her shoulder.

"You'll make a great Queen someday, May. I just know it."

May smiled, blushing at tbe brief contact.

"Thank you, Sir Ash."

Just then, there was a rustling in the bushes, and out popped a Marill, scrounging for some food. Seeing this, May grinned and took out a Pokeball.

"Why don't I start now? Go, Pokeball!"

"May, wait!"

But May had already thrown her Pokeball, the device hitting Marill on the head and absorbing her into it. The ball shook three times, but the Marill managed to escape, scampering off into the bushes as May looked on, defeated.

"Why didn't it work?"

"You can't just throw a Pokeball and expect it to catch them just like that! You either have to earn their trust, or weaken them in battle first."

May blushed, and looked away sheepishly.

"Whoops."

"It's okay, we all make mistakes. Here, why don't I battle the next Pokemon we come across and show you how it's done."

May nodded in understanding. They didn't have to wait long before one came along, however, as an unfamiliar Pokemon came crawling into the clearing. To Ash, it looked like a small child wearing a big green hat and a dress.

"What's that Pokemon?"

May, on the other hand, squealed in delight.

"Oh my gosh, that's a Ralts! My brother took care of one a month ago, and it's been following him around ever since. I've always wanted one, I was so jealous!"

"Allow me, Princess. Pikachu, do you mind if I give our new friend a chance to stretch his legs?"

Pikachu gave him a thumbs up, signaling him to go ahead.

"Alright, go Treecko! Use Pound!"

Treecko leapt, slapping Ralts away from their food supply. Ralts growled, and fought back with a Confusion attack, which Treecko shook off.

"Leafage, Treecko!"

Treecko growled, summoning up a small barrage of leaves that smacked Ralts around for a minute. Ralts opened its mouth, letting loose a barrage of horrid notes that made Treecko cover his ears in pain.

"This is going nowhere. Leer, Treecko!"

Treecko fought through the pain, and glared menacingly at Ralts. This made Ralts shiver, lowering its guard unintentionally.

"Now use Pound, one more time!"

Treecko pounced, smacking Ralts over the head once again, making the smaller Pokemon tumble over in defeat. Nodding to Treecko, Ash pulled out an empty Pokeball.

"And now for the finale. Pokeball, go!"

The Pokeball sailed over to the fallen Pokemon, absorbing it into itself before falling to the ground. After a few shakes, the ball clicked, confirming a successful capture.

"Alright, I just caught a Ralts!"

"Pikachu!"

"Treecko!"

"You did great, Treecko. Return!"

After returning Treecko to his Pokeball, Ash walked over to his new capture. Picking the Pokeball up, he walked back and handed it to May.

"Here you go."

But May shook her head.

"No Ash, you caught Ralts fair and square. You deserve it."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure we'll find another one. Besides, there are plenty of strong and cute Pokemon I can catch!"

Ash nodded, appreciating the praise before releasing his new capture. Ralts, still dazed, glanced around for a minute trying to take it all in. Ash knelt down to it and gave it a kind smile.

"Hey there, I bet you were hungry, huh?"

The Ralts nodded, still a little shaken up. Ash walked over to the food reserves, grabbing a berry and handing it over to his new capture.

"Here you go!"

The Ralts hesitated for a moment before accepting it, popping it into its mouth quickly. Once the food hit its taste buds, it squealed happily, jumping into Ash's arms with gratitude."

"So, do you want to stay?"

"Ralts!"

"Excellent! Welcome to the team!"

May smiled, before humming curiously.

"I wonder what Pokemon Ralts will evolve into?"

"What do you mean, May?"

"Well, I haven't seen it happen myself, but The Professor was telling Max that Ralts can evolve into one of two Pokemon in its final stage. All Ralts evolve into Kirlia, but from there is where it splits. All Ralts can evolve into Gardevoir, but only male Ralts can evolve into a Pokemon known as Gallade."

"So whether or not Ralts can become a Gallade is based on its gender, huh? I wonder if Ralts is a boy or a girl?"

Ralts concentrated, retrieving a stick from the ground and began drawing a picture in the dirt. Once it was finished, they saw it was the male symbol.

"So you're a boy, huh?"

"Ralts!"

"Well, welcome to the team! Maybe we can help you discover what Pokemon you want to be?"

Ralts clapped his hands happily, making everyone smile.

"Come on Ash, we should get moving. It'll be dark before long, and I want to get as close to Rustburo as possible before nightfall."

"Right!"

A while later, the two were walking when May stopped, spotting something.

"What's wrong, May?"

"Ash, look over there at that tree!"

Ash did so, spotting a light pink worm-like Pokemon sucking some nectar from the tree.

"That's a Wurmple! I've heard tales about how beautiful their final evolution is. I think I've found my next capture!"

Ash smiled, and stepped aside for her to take her chance.

"By all means. But remember…"

"I know, I have to weaken it in battle first. Go, Torchic! Use Ember!"

May's starter burst out, pelting Wurmple with a small flurry of sparks that knocked it off the tree. Infuriated, Wurmple shot a small String Shot from its mouth, entrapping Torchic and keeping her in place.

"Break out with Peck, then use it on Wurmple!"

Torchic struggled for a minute before cutting an entry with her beak, then charged and gave Wurmple a hard jab, knocking the Bug Type onto its back. Before it could recover May had already thrown a Pokeball, capturing it almost instantly.

"Yes! I caught a Wurmple!"

"Torchic Tor!"

May knelt down and patted Torchic on the head, making the Fire type chirp happily.

"You were amazing, Torchic!"

"Chic!"

Glancing up at the sky, Ash saw that the sun had already set, with the sky beginning to get dark.

"We'll never make it to Rustburo now. We'd best set up camp for the night."

May nodded, looking down trodden.

"I'm sorry. If I hadn't forced us to stop…"

But Ash just waved off her concerns.

"Don't worry about it. This was your first time hiking, after all. Trust me, you'll get the hang of it."

May sighed, relieved.

"Come on, let's gather some firewood. Once we have a fire going, we'll have dinner."

"Sounds good to me!"

Once they had a fire going, the group of six sat down and ate their dinner. Ash and May had sandwiches that the chefs had prepared for them, while their Pokkemon had an assortment of berries and roots, which they enjoyed..

"What a day this has been, huh?"

May was about to agree before a yawn interrupted her, making Ash chuckle.

"I'll take that as a yes. Hang on, I'll get the sleeping bags."

But when Ash went to collect them, he cursed himself when he realized he'd made a mistake.

"Ash, what's wrong?"

"I forgot I only packed one."

He'd been so used to traveling with others that he'd forgotten he'd only left home with a single sleeping bag and his tent. He hadn't expected to be traveling with anyone else, and now he had to pay the price for his short sightedness.

"Oh. Well, maybe we can share it?"

"We wouldn't fit."

After a moment of thinking, he handed it to May.

"You take it."

"Are you sure? I'd hate for you to have to sleep on the hard ground."

"I'll be fine. Besides, what kind of gentleman would I be if I made a woman sleep in the dirt?"

May smiled, and nodded.

"If you insist. Thank you, Sir Ash."

"Of course. Good night, May."

"Good night."

With that, May disappeared into the tent. Once Ash had put out the fire, he laid down and tried to make himself as comfortable as possible, using a log as a pillow. Pikachu curled up on his chest, while Ralts snuggled up underneath his arm.

"Buddy, I think we're going to have quite the journey, don't you think?"

"Cha!"

A/N: Yes, Ash will be capturing Pokemon that he didn't in the anime during this. I don't have a full roster planned out yet, so if you have any you'd like to see feel free to leave a review or PM me with suggestions. Right now I have one planned and one I may or may not do, so I'm open to requests. Catch you next time!