Chapter 10: A Bunch of Pals in Lilycove

Hey guys so I'm back already with a new chapter for this story. I was expecting to take another week with my other story I was focusing on but it only ended up being one once I started working on it. Now I'm down to just four stories once again.

I got one review saying that in Lady Arcanine's universe Torchic/Combusten/Blaziken is often female and paired with Ash's Treecko/Grovyle/Sceptile. So, I went back and edited it in my files. Will hopefully have it reposted by the time this one is posted as well. I also noticed I mentioned last chapter that May hadn't used Eevee in battle but that incorrect since she did in one of the chapters before against the news crew. So, I will correct that as well. If anyone notices any other mistakes or contradictions, please point them out and I will correct them to the best of my ability.

Hope you will all enjoy this chapter and perhaps consider checking out my other stories as well. I know you Lady Arcanine must be a fan of My Little Pony since you use the songs in some of your YouTube videos. I have a few fanfics of that series, as well as Naruto, Star Wars, two other Advanceshipping fanfics, and a few others as well.

Oh, and uh, I will be skipping the part where in the game you would normally meet Team Magma and/or Aqua at Mt. Pyre since as I recall in the anime, they never showed that or the submarine being taken. I seriously doubt they have enough time to backtrack all the way to Slateport and still be able to make it to the Hoenn League. But enough notes let's get on with the story.

Ash, May, and their Pokémon made their way to Lilycove City within two days. They came across a few other trainers here and there that they battled. May used both Torchic and Eevee to help them gain experience. She also used Minun once those two got pretty tired. She didn't win all of them, but a good amount at least. Whenever her Pokémon got defeated in battle, Ash would use some of the medicine he kept in his backpack to heal or revive them. They would then be fine after a night of rest.

Soon they saw it in the distance. They'd traveled through the other half of the tropics, then a section of ordinary forest and finally… there it was. Lilycove City.

They took a look around, seeing the ocean even from here.

"It's so beautiful!" May said.

"Yeah, but not as beautiful as you!" Ash said.

She giggled at that remark and hugged him before the couple shared a kiss. They remained that way for a moment and then walked hand in hand through the city. As they did so they passed a red building with a ribbon logo on it and a sign in front.

"Contest in two days?" May said.

She recalled Ash telling her about contests and that they gave ribbons to the winner.

"Oh cool, maybe we could see one," Ash said. "It's been a while since I've been to a contest. I saw one when I first arrived in Hoenn a while ago. It was fun, but I definitely prefer gym battles."

"I wouldn't mind seeing something new," May said.

Ash smiled at her. "I think with your Pokémon they would really be a great appeal cause its all about the beauty of the Pokémon and their attacks. Though we'd probably need someone to really show you how it's done since I focus more on the power of the attacks."

"Like who?" May asked.

Ash shrugged. "Well, it's not like I'm gonna know any of the coordinators that are-

"Ash?" a voice asked from behind.

Ash froze at the sound of that voice and turned around. He saw a girl with long honey colored hair with a hat on her head. She wore a red top and gray skirt. Next to her was a man with green hair in a purple jacket.

"Serena!" Ash exclaimed as he saw his old friend from the Kalos region.

"My god it is you!" Serena exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"On my way to the Hoenn League!" Ash said. "What about you?"

"I'm participating in contests here!" Serena said.

"Wow!" Ash said.

"Pika! Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed as he jumped off Ash's shoulder and into Serena's arms.

"Hey Pikachu!" Serena said as she stroked the electric Pokémon.

"Is this a friend of yours… Ash?" May asked as she remembered to refrain from calling him Sir Ash whenever they were with other people.

"Yeah, May, this is Serena, my old friend from one of the other regions. Serena, this is May. My fiancé."

Serena's eyes widened in surprise. "Fiancé?"

"Yeah," Ash said.

Serena looked stunned for a moment then managed a smile. Ash knew what she was thinking. Back when they had traveled together, she'd had a major crush on him. But he just didn't feel the same way when she'd confessed to him so she'd had to move on.

"Good to meet you!" Serena said. "I have someone myself now."

She gestured to the green haired man just a few steps behind her. "This is Drew, my boyfriend."

"Hi," Drew said.

"Hello," May said.

"Hi," Ash said. "So, are you going to be in the contest in a couple days?"

"Yeah, me and Drew are participating in the couples challenge since this is a special partner contest that allows you to work with someone and the winners both receive a ribbon," Serena said.

"Really?" Ash said looking at May. "Then maybe me and May could both enter as well! But, do you think you could teach us how to do it?"

The two hesitated. Drew spoke first.

"I don't know if we want to help train our competition."

"Oh, come on Drew we can make exception since this is my old… friend," Serena said.

Drew sighed then smirked and put a hand on her shoulder. "Alright, for you my dear."

Ash and May grinned at him in appreciation and Serena smiled at her boyfriend. Drew then had them get out their Pokémon. They would have to pick two that they would use, ones that would have a strong bond not only with their trainers but also with each other.

"In that case I guess our Pokémon should be either Plusle and Minun or Pikachu and Eevee," Ash said. "They're both together after all."

"That sounds like a good idea," Drew said. "Pick one then."

Ash thought for a moment, "Well I guess I'll go with my number one partner since this is my first time entering a contest."

"Pika!" Pikachu raised its paw in eagerness. "You can count on me."

"Guess I'm going with Eevee then!" May said.

Her second Pokémon came forward. Minun who stood next to Plusle smiled at the Evolution Pokémon while Torchic frowned a little bit jealously. Ash turned to all his other Pokémon who seemed rather calm or in the case of Corpish relieved. The crustacean Pokémon loved battling but not the idea of showing off in a contest.

"I'm sure all of you would do good but better safe than sorry," Ash said.

They then took the chance to experiment with different combinations of Pikachu and Eevee's moves. Drew and Serena watched as Eevee performed Growl, Sand Attack, Helping Hand, Tackle, Quick Attack, Take Down, and Bite.

"Not bad. Though not all of the moves might be compatible to use together with Pikachu," Drew said. "But let's see what we can do."

He then looked at Pikachu who demonstrated Iron Tail, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Quick Attack, and Agility.

Drew hummed in thought for a moment. "I think you could do a Quick Attack side by side to start, then Helping Hand to boost Thunderbolt as well. You just have to be creative and show off your Pokémon."

"I think we could do that," May said. "Thanks a lot Drew."

"No problem."

They practiced their moves with Pikachu and Eevee, as well as Plusle and Minun for a couple hours then it was getting close to sunset. They'd managed to create a good set of combinations that both Serena and Drew approved of.

"Well, I think that's probably enough practice for today," Ash said.

"Yeah," May agreed.

The two pairs of couples headed to the Pokémon Center. Drew and Serena already had a room of their own so that left Ash and May to get their own which wasn't too far from their friends. They sat down to have a meal and began to talk.

"So, how did you meet May, Ash?" Serena asked after a while.

Ash looked around, making sure that no one else was capable of listening. He looked at May first.

She smiled. "If you trust them, then I do too."

Ash looked at their friends. He knew he could trust Serena, though Drew was still pretty much a stranger to him. then told the story of him and May.

"We met almost two months ago, I was on my way to Lavaridge Town-

He told them everything, finding May in the tower that appeared in the desert, getting her out of there and protecting her from the wild Flygon, learning that she was a princess from another time, and journeying together to find her a way home, only to fall in love and soon be hunted by Golurk and then Dialga.

Drew refused to believe it at first until Serena told him that something similar had happened to Ash back when they'd traveled together. They'd met alternate versions of themselves from another dimension, and even traveled through time themselves. That shut Drew up and he was forced to accept that it was true.

"Well that is quite an adventure," Serena said. "You always seem to run into the most interesting things, Ash."

"Always the magnet for trouble," Ash agreed.

Serena then looked at May's Eevee as she stood with Pikachu sharing a bowl of Pokemon food. Her Pokemon, Delphox, Sylveon, Pancham, Vileplume Rhyhorn, and Gogoat also ate as well. She'd acquired the latter three on her journey through other regions after parting ways with Ash. Rhyhorn and Gogoat could be used for riding as well, which was an occasional hobby of Serena's now. Her mother had been a professional Pokemon Rider and tried to plan for Serena to follow that path, but Serena had decided performing was her calling. After returning home one time though she realized she'd missed it after riding her mother's Rhyhorn, so she'd caught one of her own along with a Gogoat. They also helped get her and Drew to places quicker. Drew's Pokemon, Roserade, Masquerain, Flygon, Absol, Buttefree, and Dragonair were all stored in their Pokeballs to wait their turn to eat since there just wasn't enough room in the immediate area.

"Your Eevee is really cute May," Serena said.

"Thanks," May said. "I'm glad she's happier and able to walk normally now."

Serena nodded. "My Eevee was always kind of shy but at least no one ever mistreated her like that."

"You had an Eevee?" May asked intrigued.

Serena nodded then pointed to her Sylveon, a pink and cream Pokemon with a pair of bows attached to her body.

"That's her, she evolved into a Sylveon while I was traveling with Ash. Have you thought of what you might like to evolve your Eevee into?"

May shook her head. "I hadn't really thought of it. But don't Pokémon just evolve at a certain stage?"

"Most of them but with ones like Eevee they require a stone or certain conditions. You have a lot of options since Eevee can evolve into a lot of different types depending on which stone you use or anything else that could happen. Actually, this is a good place to choose one!" Serena said. "They sell a bunch of stones in the mall here that you can use on Eevee if you want to!"

May looked uncertain. "I don't know. I'll have to think about that."

Ash put an arm around his fiancé. "It's okay May, no need to rush. Pikachu never wanted to evolve when I offered him the chance to do so. One of my other Pokemon also didn't want to. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. They deserve a choice just like the rest of us."

May nodded. "You're right Sir Ash. Well, maybe I can take a look with Eevee and see what she wants."

Serena nodded. "Good idea."

A TV overhead played the news in Hoenn.

"The Slateport Harbor is proud to say that it will soon have a new batch of high tech submarines ready to explore the deepest depths of the ocean!" the news reporter said in Slateport City.

"Submarine?" May asked.

"A form of transport they use to go down deep underwater," Ash said. "That would be cool to go down there."

"Yeah, I bet it's really beautiful," Serena said.

Suddenly the report changed.

"Breaking news, a pair of ancient treasures have been stolen from Mt. Pyre! The red and blue orbs have gone missing, witnesses say that it was the two infamous gangs of criminals known as Team Magma and Team Aqua!"

Ash's eyes widened, as did May's. They both recalled their recent encounters with those villainous organizations.

"Team Magma and Aqua! What are they up to now?" Ash asked angrily.

"No idea," Drew said. "All we can do is hope someone stops them."

Serena looked at Ash, recalling they had faced a similar Team Flare in Kanto. "You aren't gonna go looking for them are you, Ash?"

Ash shook his head. "I never really have to! These criminal teams just seem to find me!"

"You've met other criminals like them?" May asked.

"Rocket, Flare, Plasma," Ash said. "There's a lot of them out there across the world that like to go by Team."

"Well, they'll lose just like the others," Serena said. "I hope so at least."

Ash nodded then yawned. "Yeah. Maybe it will be me, maybe it won't. But I think I'm ready for bed."

"Me too," Drew said.

They finished their meal and then went to each of their shared bedrooms, Drew and Serena in one, Ash and May in the other. Tomorrow they'd meet Ash's other friends whom they'd been hoping to see. Though the addition of Serena was a welcome surprise for Ash.

Guess it's gonna be a bit of a bigger reunion then I thought. Ash thought as he lay in bed with his arm around May. He stroked her hair gently as she lay there with her eyes closed but not asleep yet. She winced a bit as a bit of pain shot through her stomach.

"Guess I ate too much," she muttered.

When morning came, they all had breakfast then headed to the docks of Lilycove to await the arrival of the friends that Ash had been expecting. Their unexpected friend and her boyfriend accompanied them as they waited. The ship appeared on the horizon soon and Ash saw them.

"Hey Ash!" Brock called as he waved from the top of the ship with his wife at his side.

"Hello Ash!" Lucy called as she looked down at him and the others.

"Hey!" a third, unexpected voice called and was soon revealed to be Misty.

Ash grinned as he saw his two first companions as well as an extra.

The ship soon stopped and the crowd got off. Ash, May and their new companions greeted the even newer ones.

"Ash! Man, it's been a long time! And look at you! Finally found a girl!" Brock said as he took his old friend's hand and looked at May.

Ash chuckled nervously. "Yeah. Good to see you Brock and Lucy!"

"You too! Hey Pikachu!" Brock said.

"Hey!" Pikachu waved from Ash's shoulder.

Ash then turned to Misty. "I wasn't expecting you to be here with them."

The redhead chuckled. "Well, Brock stopped by on his way to Vermillion with Lucy and asked if I wanted to come."

"I figured it would be a good idea to have the whole gang back together again," Brock said.

"I was considering taking a break from the Gym Leader life as well since the Indigo League is currently going on there," Misty added.

"What about Tracy?" Ash asked.

"He couldn't come since Brock's ship was scheduled for the next day. We drove out and spent the night in Vermilion then left. My sisters are putting on a show back home while I'm away," Misty said. "At least there won't be any challengers since the League is on. So how is your Hoenn League challenge going?"

"Really well," Ash reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his badge case. "Just two more to go!"

"Really?" Misty asked then stated in a teasing manner. "Looks like someone is cutting it pretty close since there's only a bit over a month left to the Hoenn League!"

"Hey, I just started a little too late!" Ash said in defense of himself. "It will be tough but I think I can manage! I got this far after all!"

Misty smirked. "I guess that's true!"

She then turned to May and the others. "Um… I heard you had a girlfriend or a fiancé, but not a whole group of new companions!"

"Oh, that's May there!" Ash pointed to May then Serena. "And Serena there is an old friend. May and I happened upon her and her boyfriend yesterday as we were getting into town."

"Wow, guess it's a big reunion then! Brock said. "Good to meet you guys I'm Brock and this is my wife, Lucy!"

Drew and Serena looked at Lucy in surprise. "You're Lucy of the Battle Pike!"

"That's right!" Lucy said with a soft smile. "But on days when I'm not at the Battle Pike I'm just a simple lover of Pokemon and my husband!"

She squeezed Brock's hand and he smiled. Ash led his friends back up the dock and up to the Pokemon Center where Brock, Misty and Lucy could all check into the Pokemon Center. Once they did that, they all headed to their own rooms for just a moment. When they emerged, it was time for a-

"Beach party!" Brock said as he came out of his room in a pair of aqua trunks as well as a striped blue and white shirt and sandals. Lucy and Misty both had their swimsuits on as well, a Seviper themed one piece for Lucy and a blue bikini for Misty. May was surprised when Serena emerged in a bikini similar to her own being pink with a ribbon decoration. Drew had his own purple trunks as well, and Ash had the same red and yellow ones from when he and May had been at the hot springs with his black shirt on top. The group of friends and friends of friends all headed down to the beach for some much-needed fun.

Alright, another chapter down. I initially was gonna summarize the events that happened in the beach party but I felt like I was kinda rushing through it so I decided to cut them and go into a bit more detail next chapter. Hope you guys don't mind. Also something I've been considering to have in this story is for May to be pregnant. Though I'm not sure it would be the right call. It could add some drama maybe though since the deadline for the Hoenn League is just over a month away and it would take at least another eight depending on how far along she is I don't know if it would go with the story. I'd love to hear your guy's thoughts and I will see you again in a couple weeks.