Chapter 2: A New Adventure Begins

(Hoenn Region)

Ash smiled, enjoying the sun on his face as his Rapidash steed galloped back towards the castle.

"It feels good to be back, huh buddy?"

"Pi," Pikachu agreed from his shoulder.

In the years since he decided to stay in the past, he'd grown into a mature young Prince, soon to be King. May and her family had helped him adjust well to his new role, and he still saw his mother and friends as often as he could.

Currently, he was returning from a long campaign to expand the kingdom. While the merging of the Hoenn, Aqua, and Magma Kingdoms had gone well, there was still a lot of the region that hadn't been settled yet. As such, Ash led a group of guards into the wilds to settle it. It was a long journey, full of hardships. They had been attacked by not just wild Pokemon, but also scattered remnants of the kingdoms who had fled instead of facing trial, but after three long months they had successfully brought the entire region under their control. With his work complete and the new settlements well underway, Ash knew it was time to come home to the love of his life.

Before long, Petalburg Castle came into view. With a smile, he patted Rapidash on the deck.

"Woah, girl."

Rapidash came to a quick and gentle stop right in front of the castle, where Wally was waiting for them.

"Ash, you're back!"
"Yes, and it's good to be back. Is May here?"

Wally gave a knowing smile, surprising Ash.

"Yes, The Princess is waiting for you. I believe she's in your bedroom if you wish to see her now."

"I do. Can you please take Sugarcube here to the stables?"

"Certainly. Come on, girl!"

Sugarcube nuzzled Wally's neck as he gently led her away, allowing Ash to go in to the castle to see his love.

May hummed to herself as she went about tidying the room. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Honey, I'm home!"

May squealed happily, throwing the door open and leaping into her husband's arms.

"Ash, you're back! How was your trip?"

"Amazing, but not as amazing as you."

May giggled, and kissed him. Pikachu hopped off of Ash's shoulder and ran over to May's Eevee, who greeted him just as eagerly as her trainer had his. Ash smiled as the two curled up against each other.

"Eevee still doesn't know what she wants to evolve into?"

May shook her head.

"No, I've offered to help her find any of the stones, but she still wants to stay an Eevee. I'm beginning to think she doesn't want to evolve."

Ash chuckled.

"Then I guess she and Pikachu are perfect for each other, aren't they?"

May nodded excitedly.

"By the way, I've got some news to share with you."

Ash quirked his eyebrow in curiosity.

"Oh? I hope it's good news, then."

"Very much so. I visited the Doctor a week ago and…I'm pregnant."

Ash's eyes went wide, and Pikachu and Eevee perked up.

"For real? You're not joking, are you?"

May shook her head, tears of joy running down her face.

"In a few months, we're going to be parents! I was so excited when I heard the news, I just couldn't wait to tell you. I wanted to write, but then I received news you were on your way home, and…"

"YES!"

Ash grabbed her in a big hug and twirled her around, crying tears of joy as well. After spinning her around, he gave her a passionate kiss, which she happily returned.

"I can't believe it…" he said excitedly. "I'm going to be a father!"

"And a great one at that," May said, pecking his lips. "I just wish Manaphy was here to hear the news."

A year after Ash had decided to stay with May, Manaphy decided to explore the world. He wanted to learn more about where he came from, though he promised to keep in touch. They'd seen him periodically, but they never knew when he'd appear.

"I know, I do too," Ash said. "But we both know he'd be happy."

"Speaking of which, I think there's someone else who should know."

Ash smiled, and took out his Arc Phone.

"Just wait until Mom hears about this. She'll be so happy!"

"And don't forget your father! We'll have to write to him as soon as we tell Delila."

But when Ash clicked on Delila's number, all he got was static.

"That's odd, it's never done that before…"

"Maybe her phone is off?"

Suddenly, the static cleared, but they were not greeted by Delila. Instead they came face to face with…

"Arceus?"

Greetings, young royals. And may I be the first to say congratulations.

"Thank you, but why are you calling?"

"I doubt this is a social call, is it?"

Arceus sighed.

No, I'm afraid not. Observe.

The image on the screen changed to a different region that Ash and May had never seen before.

This is the Hisui region, a few miles North of Hoenn.

"Hisui? Isn't that where Nando comes from?"

"Yeah, but he said that the region has been in conflict so much he had to leave."

More or less. Officially, the three tribes that inhabit it are no longer fighting, though they have entered what I believe you would call a "cold war".

"So you want us to unite them?"

No, but I suppose that would be beneficial. Instead, I need your help with this.

The screen then changed to the sky's overhead, where Ash saw a large crack beginning to form.

"What is that?"

A Space Time rift. Somehow one has formed over Hisui, and I need help to stop it.

Once more, the screen changed once more to show a girl neither of them had seen before.

I hoped that this girl, Akari, would be enough to handle it on her own, but something has gone wrong. In the process of transporting her back in time, her memories got scrambled, likely due to the rift's interference. All she knows for sure is her name and the mission I have given her, to seek out all Pokemon.

"So you want us to help her with that?"

Arceus nodded.

I'm sorry, I didn't want to get you involved, but sadly the situation has evolved beyond her ability to solve by herself.

"I'll go," Ash said. "If there's a rift in time, it's a problem not just for Hisui, but us as well."

I appreciate your resolve, but there's something you should know. As long as this rift remains open, contact with the future will be too dangerous to allow.

"So I won't be able to contact my mother or my friends in the future?"

Arceus nodded solemnly.

However, I can allow you to give your mother the good news.

With that, the connection faded, and his call to Delila resumed. Within seconds, his mother picked up the phone.

"Oh, Ash! It's so good to see you honey."

"Hi, Mom."

"And May, looking lovely as always!"

"Thanks, Delila."

"Mom, we have some good news and bad news to tell you. The good news is you're going to be a grandmother!"

Delila gasped, but her shock soon turned to happiness.

"Oh honey, that's great! Congratulations!"

"Thanks, mom."

"Oh, you'll have to bring my grandbaby by when they're born so I can spoil them!"

Ash sighed, preparing for the worst.

"That's…where the bad news comes in."

"Honey, what's wrong?"

Ash explained everything, from his new mission from Arceus to them not being able to contact her for a while.

"Oh…"

"Arceus let me contact you to let you know about us…It's not going to be easy, but I need to go! I can't let this do any harm to our time or yours."

After a minute, Delila put on a brave smile.

"It's okay honey, I understand. And even though I can't contact you, I'm confident you'll do just fine!"

"Thanks, mom."

"Just remember to bring my new grandbaby by as soon as you can!"

Ash and May chuckled.

"We will."

"And don't worry, Miss Ketchum. They're both in good hands!"

"With you, dear, I have no doubt. Oh, and Ash? Don't forget to put on clean underwear."

Ash chuckled. Usually he'd be embarrassed by his mother asking that, but considering they wouldn't see each other for who knows how long, he was willing to let it slide.

"I will. I love you, mom."

"I love you too, sweetie. And don't worry, I'll let Brock and Misty know."

With one final wave, Ash hung up, cutting off contact with her for who knows how long.

"Ash…"

"May, I know you want to come with me…but if you're pregnant…"

"Ash, don't even think of finishing that sentence. The whole three months you were gone, I was worried sick about you. And now that I'm carrying your child, I'm not letting you out of my sight. I can hold my own, and I'll have my Pokemon with me. So don't even think of going without me!"

Ash chuckled, and pulled her into a close embrace.

"That's my girl."

"Pika Pi!"

"Evoi!"

The couple chuckled as their partners raced up their shoulders, nuzzling their cheeks in solidarity.

"Then it's settled."

"Don't forget Ash, you're not alone in this."

"As long as I'm with you, I can take on the world."

A week later, Ash and May were ready to set off for Hisui. At Norman's insistence, they brought along a contingent of guards to keep them safe, much to May's annoyance.

"I can take care of myself, dad."

"I know sweetie, but with the baby coming I'd rather be safe than sorry. Besides, we don't want the future Queen to be without safety, do we?"

May chuckled.

"That's right, there's still the coronation. You don't mind staying King for a while longer, do you?"

"I've been reigning king for a few decades now, I'm sure I can handle a few more months."

"Oh, look at my little girl! Off to see the world. If only Max were here as well."

"How is he doing in Kalos?" Ash inquired.

"Last we heard he's doing well. And he's made quite the impression on the Princess there."

May chuckled.

"Don't worry, we'll all be together again soon. I love you both."

"We love you too, honey. Take care of them, Ash."

"With my life, as always," The Prince responded.

With their goodbyes said, Ash and May boarded the ship and set sail. They didn't know what danger awaited them when they got there, but as long as they were together they had all they needed.