This is my first, and most likely only Fanfic ever. I decided to do it because I love the show and want to share my views on what Ash and everyone’s lives will be like in the future. I don’t usually do this kind of thing, but like I said, I love the show. Also, I want to say sorry that I'm writing an AAMRN. I felt that after so long of traveling with one another, they(and you know who I mean when I say “they”)had to have some kind of special connection that would last forever. Oh, I guess I have to say I don’t own any pokemon rights. That way I don’t get sued, right?

Best Friends Never Say Goodbye

Ages

Ash= 22

Misty= 23 1/2

Brock= 26

Tracey= 26

May= 21

Max= 16

Italics = Point of view(there probably won’t be any)/Thoughts

Back Story: It's been five years since they all, and I mean all of our heros, have gone their separate ways(I mean Ash, Misty, Brock, Tracey, May, and Max). They all have gone to do their own things in life. Max stayed home to take his father's place as gym leader. May is traveling by herself as a Pokemon Contest trainer. Tracey and Gary have teamed up to be two of the of the most lead pokemon researchers in the world. Brock stayed home to look after his gym and had finally opened up a breeding center, which is now a staple in Pewter City. Brock and his siblings now take turns being the gym leader. Ash has continued on with his journey traveling everywhere he can go. He is now by himself and is now very well known around the world for his expert battling and his adventures in all the places he has visited, including such places as the ever dangerous region, Orre. And Misty has left Ash's side and force to stay home with her sisters. There are now four Sensational Sisters.

Location: A pokemon center in the Orre Region.

"Sir, you have a videophone call from a Mr. Brock. He says it's important,” said Nurse Joy from the counter.

"Okay, I'll take the call from videophone #3," answered Ash. He was curious why Brock had contacted him. He had last seen him about five years ago and did not stay in contact, he wondered what would make Brock hunt him down like this. The only person who knew where he was, was Prof. Oak. "This must be important."

"Hey Ash, nice to see you again," said Brock with a smile on his face.

"Sure Brock. It's always nice to see you, too, but what made you contact me in the middle of the Orre region?"

"I just received a letter in the mail from Misty. You'll never guess what she wrote."

Brock said with a devilish smile on his face.

"We'll what is it Brock? Are you going to tell me, or are you just going to keep on smiling and keep me guessing?" Ash knew it had to be good if Brock was giggling like a little girl.

"I had to tell you. I already told May and Max. Tracey already heard it from Misty herself. It's just you who don't know. "Brock's smile suddenly became more of little girl's smile as if it were Christmas morning and Brock had just woken from what seemed like days of sleep.

Ash was now caught up in Brock's excitement and was eager to find out what was making Brock so evasive. "Alright, alright! Just tell me what she said already." Ash said starting to get irritated at his best friend.

"Well, in her letter.... she ..... said.... that.... she'll... be... getting..." Brock slowly answering Ash making the announcement more suspenseful.

"Getting what!" Ash cried out starting to get angry.

"Misty is going to get married." Brock finally announced with a burst.

Ash was shocked. He didn't know exactly what to say. Ash was happy for her, but for some reason that he didn't know, Ash felt sort of empty. The same emptiness he had felt when Brock had stayed with prof. Ivy, or the time he had said goodbye to Brock and Misty after their Johto journey. The same emptiness he had felt when he said goodbye to them again the last time. "Wow, that is news Brock. So, she finally found someone. haha." Ash laughed not noticing and meaning to.

Brock was looking at Ash rather strangely. Ash's reaction to the news wasn't what he had expected it would be like. Brock had expected Ash to burst out in excitement for his best friend, but Ash seemed more melancholy and disappointed.

"What is it, Ash I thought you'd be happy for her. You just look like you lost the battle of your life."

"It's not that, it's just that you caught me off guard with the news. I was thinking Misty had won the Lottery or something, but getting married. It's just a little strange, but I still want to wish Misty the best of luck." Ash said trying to convince himself of what he had just said.

"Well, don't tell me to ask her. She's not getting married until another month. She's inviting everyone close to her and she wanted me to invite you. Even your mother and Prof. Oak is coming for the big event. Are you coming?"

Ash pondered, "Oh, no!" Ash said thinking of the next tournament in the Orre region in the next couple of weeks. "I don't know if I can make it, Brock. The Orre Pokemon Tournament is scheduled to start in the next month. My pokemon and I have been looking forward to this for some time now and I don't think I should disappoint all their hard work."

"Ash, you know how important it is to Misty for you to be here on a special day like her wedding." Brock now with his giddy smile out of his face and replaced with disappointment.

"I'm sorry Brock, but I have to think about this." Ash said really meaning it.

Suddenly, Pikachu had suddenly crawled up on Ash's shoulder and looked at the video monitor. "Pika-pika chu," said Pikachu surprised that Brock was talking to Ash without Ash telling Pikachu. Pikachu haven't seen Brock for as long as Ash did and was happy to see his friend again.

"Hey, Pikachu." Brock greeted.

"Pika pi" Pikachu answered back.

"Do you wanna know something Pikachu? Said Brock getting his giddy school girl smile back on his face.

"PIka pika pikachu." answered back.

"Alright, I'll tell you. Misty is going to get married!" Burst out of Brock's mouth again.

Pikachu's reaction to the news was far from what Ash's reaction was. Pikachu was as giddyas Brock was and Ash seemed to give Pikachu a kind of look. The kind of look you give to someone when they've told someone something you didn't want anyone to know.

"Pikachu seems really happy about it. Huh, Ash?" Brock noticed.

"Yeah, he sure does." said Ash still giving the look to Pikachu.

"Seriously Ash. Misty wants you to come and will be disappointed if you don't. "Do you want to come Pikachu?" asked Brock to Pikachu.

Pikachu nodded his head profusely over and over again in excitement.

"Pikachu seems happy to go."

"Yeah, but I don't know about the other pokemon." Ash said still trying to give Brock reasons not to come. "I'll have to ask them first. They worked hard to get here and I think that they should have a say in this too."

"Alright Ash. Contact me when you're ready to give me you answer." Brock said with a gentle voice. "She really does want you to come."

"I'll think about it buddy." Ash smiled.

"Well, I have to go now. I'm heading to Cerulean Gym. That's were the preparations are held. You should at least contact her to congratulate her if you might not come."

"I'll try my best to get there if I can. Please, tell her I truly wish her luck."

"I will." Said Brock solemnly. "Later Ash."

"Later Brock." They both turned off the videophone at the same time.

Ash was still trying to process the thought of Misty getting married in his mind. He looked at Pikachu and smiled. "Do you wanna go Pikachu."

"Pika-pika" answered Pikachu with enthusiasm.

"I'll take that as a yes, but what about the other pokemon?" Ash took of his other his five poke balls from his belt and let them all out. Warturle, Pidgeot, Snorlax, Psyduck and Crobat came out of their pokeballs.

"Pika-pika" Pikachu said in excitement.

"Hey, guys. I have something I want to ask all of you." Ash had told them of Brock's recent phone call and of the news about Misty. All of his pokemon were excited to the news specially Psyduck. Psyduck was probably the happiest of the bunch, since that wasthe same Psyduck Misty had. Misty had given Psyduck to Ash as a goodbye present that last time they said goodbye. Ash was sort of hesitant about accepting Psyduck knowing that Psyduck had migranes all the time, but he wanted to keep something to remember his best friend, so he accepted.

They were all happy about the news until Ash had asked them to about attending the wedding. Everyone of them had fought hard, including Psyduck, to get to where they were now. Now they had to decide whether they should call it quits. All the hard work, the long training, the defeats and the victory would be for nothing.

"Okay, if you don't want to just decide, I'll ask you one at a time. I won't tell which one of you had voted for which road to take." Ash said deciding that would be the best way to go.

He first asked Squirtle. Squirtle remembered all the times when he was still a Squirtle, and how Misty's pokemon had played with him in the depths of the water. He remembered all the time he was side-trained by Misty as Ash was battling trainers that were clearly better than him. Squirtle remembered and smiled. Squirtle closed his eyes and turned his head away from Ash and forced himself to give the thumbs up. "Squirtle!" Squirtle said relief that he had made his choice.

"That's one vote to go to the wedding," Ash said disapprovingly.

He then asked Pidgeot. Pidgeot remembered the early years when Ash was still new to the game and Misty had been there to help him along. Pidgeot was hesitant, but managed to putup his wings making a thumbs up gesture. "Pigey pige" said Pidgeot in eagerness and in dismay for all his hard work in the Orre region.

"Two votes for the wedding. I have no chance." Ash said to himself feeling a little betrayed.

It was then Psyduck's turn to give his vote. It wasn't a suprise at all what Psyduck had voted for. Psyduck hasn't seen his master in five years and was beyond eager to see her again. Psyduck jumped up excitedly giving Ash the thumbs up again and again. Ash was happy to see Psyduck in such a mood that he couldn't help but feel a little happier for the visit. "Psyduck psy" Psyduck said jumping his heart out.

Knowing what their answer was, he both asked Snorlax and Crobat at the same time. Snorlax remembered chasing Misty for a pear once and would be happy to see her again, but he also thought of the food in the party. He couldn't resist and kind of party with so much food, so he jumped up and put this giant arm in the air giving a thumbs up. When Snorlax had come down from his jump, the whole Pokemon Center seemed to shake. Crobat was a little bit more co-operative with the other and had to think for a long time. When Ash

mentioned that Brock was also going to attend the wedding, Crobat gave in and put up his wing.

"And you Pikachu? Do you wanna go?" Asked Ash, then realized that he didn't have to ask. Pikachu loved Misty and treated her as a second master. "Of course you'd wanna go," said Ash defeated. "Looks like we're heading for a wedding."

"Pikachu!" He said in excitement.

"Squirtle!" cried Squirtle also.

"Psyyy" yelled Psyduck with a giant smile.

"Pidgeot Pigey" said Pidgeot almost screaming.

"Cro cro" Crobat waved his wings causing a gust around the Center.

"Snorlax Snorl....." said Snorlax half asleep half awake dreaming of the food that would soon be out of his dreams and into his belly.

"Don't get married just yet Misty." Ash whispered to himself lamenting of his friendship with her. He left bad that he hadn't kept contact with her or any of his close friends. "I'm coming to see ya."

****

Location and setting: Back in the Kanto region just outside the Cerulean Gym.

Almost everyone that Ash met on his travel is there waiting and preparing for the big day. It's been two weeks since Brock's last talk with Ash. Brock has just come in sight of the Cerulean Gym and wonders if Ash is already here. There are a lot of people working around the gym decorating. Most of the people help were people that Ash had met with Misty in his journey.

"Brockkkk!" Someone yelled a long distance away. A figure starting coming closer to Brock, waving.

"Not again. Another beautiful woman trying to catch my attention," Brock said jokingly. The figure started to take form and Brock's smug smile on his face faded. "Nevermind. It's just May."

May stopped in front of Brock greeting him. "Hey, Brock you're here." May said trying to catch her breathe and smiling happy to see her friend. "I thought you were bringing Ash?" She asked a little disappointed that he didn't see him besides Ash.

"No, I didn't bring Ash. He told me that he might not even come. He's in the Orre region and plans to enter the Orre Pokemon Tournament. I tried to convince him to come, but it seems that he's too busy to even see Misty."

"How can Ash do that to Misty? Ash knows how much he means to Misty. He didn't even try to call her."

"How do you know that he didn't call, Misty?" Asked Brock a little disappointed that Ash didn't even try to contact her.

"Misty told me he hasn't." May Answered. "Misty told everyone to tell her if Ash had ever called and no one, so-far, was able to confirm that he did.

"That is so not like Ash. What did the years traveling do to him?"

"Do you think it's because Misty is getting married that he doesn't want to come?" Asked May with a concerned look in her face.

"No, Ash doesn't like Misty like that. They had five years at each other when we were kids, and Ash never did anything about it. If he did, he would have told me. We tell each other everything." Brock trying to defend Ash and trying to keep the peace between feelings.

"I guess you're right. If five years isn't enough for two people to get together, that must mean that they're just good friends."

"Let's get inside the gym, I haven't eaten since last night." Brock said hearing his stomach grumbling.

"Alright, I'm hungry too. Getting this giant gym ready for a wedding is tiring."

****

Location and setting: Just inside the front door of the Cerulean Gym. Entering, Brock couldn’t help feeling nostalgic. He remembered the first time he laid his eyes on the carousel looking gym with the Dewgong resting on top of the dome. It’s great to see where you’ve been.

"Wow, I didn't remember this place being so big and blue. This gym makes mines look like a shack," said Brock in awe as he looked around.

"I know. The Four Sensational Sisters really do have great fashion sense. This gym also makes my Dad's gym look like a shack." May agreed looking around the entrance as Brock is doing. "Come on. I'll take you to where Misty is.”

May and Brock took the entrance to the right leading to a long hallway. The sides of the hall were actually just giant aquariums. Brock was in awe as he looked at the marine life inside. There was everything from seaweed to oversized clams with what seemed like pearls in the middle.

"I have to admit, the sisters really make this gym sensational." Brock admiring.

"Yeah, but I can't help feel that they're just trying to show off."

****

Location: The water arena that Ash and Misty had their first battle. In the room were Prof. Oak, Ash's mom, Deliah, three of the sensational sisters, Tracey and Max.

"Welcome to the Cerulean Gym Brock," said Daisy.

"Yeah, welcome," said both Violet and Lily

"Hey everyone. Do you miss me?" asked Brock jokingly.

"Brock!" exclaimed Deliah giving him a motherly hug. "It's so nice to see you."

"Hello Brock" Prof. Oak acknowledged.

Tracey came of over and gave Brock a hand shake. "Good to see you're here."

"Brock my man," said Max as he stood up from the spectators seat and gave Brock a high-five. "Nice to see you again, but where's Ash? I thought he would be with you."

"Yeah, where is that son of mines?" Added Deliah.

"To tell you the truth Mrs. Ketchum, I really don't even know if he's coming or not," answered Brock. "He last told me that he had to ask his pokemon whether they wanted to come to the wedding or not."

"That's just like Ash to think of what his pokemon want," mentioned Tracey.

"That's all good to be a good trainer, but what about being a good friend?" Asked Prof. Oak. "You'd think he'd at least call to reassure us."

"Professor!" Moaned May in a sympathetic tone. "You know that Ash is a good friend. It's just that Ash worked hard to get to where he is now and his pokemon too."

"I know, but it's not like Ash to not tell us anything about what his plans about this are." Prof. Oak defending his right to be a little disappointed at Ash.

"You know that Ash would never do anything to hurt any of us," said Max getting the feeling that everyone had a negative thought about Ash.

Everyone was silent thinking about Ash and all nodded at the same exact time coming to the conclusion that Ash deserved the benefit of the doubt.

"Hey, everyone's here, but where's Misty and her groom?" Brock just noticed.

"Oh, Dorien is at his gym in the Johto region collecting his water pokemon for the wedding," answered Daisy. "He wants everyone to be here when he finally gets hitched."

"Oh..., but where's Misty?" Asked Brock.

"She's in her room sleeping," answered Violet. "She had a long day ordering everyone in the gym to get things as perfect as can be."

"Just like Misty. The perfectionist." Said Brock reminiscing a little of what Misty was like. Brock had just remembered that he hadn't seen Misty in almost a year. This would be the first time he sees her.

"Wait! What are you guys all doing in the arena anyways?" Asked Brock just noticing.

"This is where we're holding the wedding reception," answered Lily.

"But what about the giant whole with water in the middle," stated Brock pointing the obvious.

"Were not stupid Brock. We may use the word 'like' all the time, but were not just pretty valley girls. For the reception, we're going to close it. A giant glass floor covers it giving the illusion that we're walking, dancing on water," answered Daisy a little offended by Brock's painfully obvious question.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think?" Brock apologized scratching the back of his head. "When is the reception."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you. The reception is tonight," answered May.

"You're lucky. You just got here at the right time,” pointed Deliah.

"It's too bad we can't say that about Ash," said Tracey.

Suddenly, footsteps started to come from the hallway opposite the hallway that Brock and May had entered. A slim figure then took shape from the shadows. It was Misty. The same girl that Brock and Ash had made fun of for being too tomboyish and scrawny, now is a beautiful curvy woman.

"What was that about Ash? Is he here yet?" She asked not yet noticed that Brock was there. She was still half asleep rubbing the dust in her eye.

"Hey, Misty," said Brock with a big smile on his face to see his other best friend.

"Brock!" Misty shrilled running to Brock giving him a caring hug. "I can't believe that we're all here. Where's Ash? Is he just outside the gym?"

"I'm sorry to say that he isn't," Brock painfully answered.

"He's not?" Asked Misty with her smile turning to a disappointed frown.

"I have bad news, Misty," Brock announced. "I'm not certain for sure, but Ash said that he might not be able to make the wedding."

"Why not? What could he be doing so important that he can't even visit his best friend's wedding?" Asked Misty both angry and disappointed.

"He's in the Orre Region, he might be competing in the Orre Region Pokemon Tournament. I'm sure he wants to make it, but he's just tied up at the moment," said Deliah reassuring Misty that Ash would never try to hurt her.

"Oh. And I wanted to spend a little time with him before my wedding. I wanted to ask him what he thought of it." Misty stated not noticing that she had said it out loud.

"There's still time for him to come. When is the wedding anyways?" Asked Brock.

"Oh, yeah. I haven't told you that too, huh?" remembered May. "The wedding is two days from now."

"He still has time." Misty whispered to herself this time remembering not to say it out loud. "Well, come on. Dorien will be home soon and this place still isn't perfect. We have a lot to do."

"Awwwww!" Complained everyone , except for Brock.

****

Location: Later that evening in the gym arena. Everything had changed. The bleetchers were now gone and replaced with round tables able to seat six people each. The middle of the gym arena was closed off by a glass floor. The farthest facing the door was a big rectangular table with chairs only on one side. (The side facing the visitors). The middle of the arena was empty.

Everyone was there. At least all those who were said they would be able to come. In the main table in from all, were, from right to left, Prof. Oak, Deliah, Misty, Dorien, who just came back an hour before they were getting things ready, Daisy, Violet and Lily.

In the table next to the main table were all of Ash's friend who had traveled with. There was Brock, next to Tracey, next to Max, next to May, next to an empty chair that had a card on it saying "reserved for Ash Ketchum."

On other tables were some of the friend that they had met over their travels. On one of the round tables was Sakura. Sakura was the girl that they had met during their travels in the Johto region. There was Sakura and her other sisters. They all had their Eevees and evolutions of Eevee on their laps.

On the other table were Todd, the boy they had met during Ash was traveling in the Kanto region. Todd was the boy who was hired by team rocket to capture Pikachu. Next to Todd was Richy. Richy was the boy who had defeated Ash in the Pokemon League when Ash's Charizard had refused to battle. The other seats on that table were occupied by their pokemon.

Each table, in the arena turned reception room, were filled with friends that they had met on their travels. Except for a table where two of the people had not been identified by Misty and the others. There was a skinny old man with young lavender colored hair. He had a beard, but for some reason, it looked sort of fake. Next to the old man was an old woman. The old woman also skinnier than what she had appeared to be and also had young hair. Her hair was red and went down to her shoulders like an arc. No one knew who those two were, but for some reason they had looked familiar to Misty and the others. They wanted to ask who they were,but they had thought it would be disrespectful.

A minute later in the table where the two misterious people were sitting, sat down Duplica.Duplica was the girl that Ash, Brock and Misty had met in the Kanto region. Duplica had her Ditto in her lap sitting comfortably. "Hello, I'm Duplica. I guess we'll be sharing this table?"

"Hello," said the old couple.

"How do you know the person getting married?" Duplica asked.

"Oh, we know the girl getting married." Answered the old man. Something was strange in the old man's voice. It didn't seem like the voice of an old person. The old man coughed and repeated what he said in more of an old man's voice.

"Oh,no." Duplica exclaimed as her Ditto spilled the water on her dress that she was holding. "Sorry, you have to excuse me, but I have to fix myself.

"That's quite alright," said the old woman. "Take you time in the girls room. You have to make yourself look good."

After Duplica had left, the old woman angrily hit the old man on the side of his head. "James! You nitwit. You almost gave away our disguise," said the old woman in a youngersounding voice.

"Meowth!" said a Meowth under the table. "Yeah you numbskull, you almost gave away our lunch ticket."

"Sorry Jessie, sorry Meowth. I forgot that I was suppose to be an old man," said the old man back to the voice he had first spoke in.

****

Location: The table next to the main table.

"I can't believe that Ash is still not here!" exclaimed May in agitation. She then looked at his name on the reserved card on his chair.

"I don't know about you guys, but I still believe that Ash 'll be here," Tracey hopefully said.

Everyone agreed, except for May who didn't say anything, but just made a frowned face.

"Okay, let the party, like, commence," said Daisy.

"I'm going to give Ash such a lecture on being on time when I see him," said Deliah both concerned and angry for Ash's past behavior. "At least by now, he would have called."

"That's exactly why I was so disappointed at him this morning," said Prof. Oak.

"I don't think he's coming, Misty," said Dorien who was by Misty's side.

"Yeah, maybe I should let Daisy give her speech now?" said Misty as angry and disappointed as Ash's mom is.

"Daisy, you can make your toast now," said Dorien to Daisy.

Daisy stood up and started to tap her spoon on her vine glass to get the attention of the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen. Like, just want to say how happy I am to have my little sister finally getting married. Isn't she lucky to get a guy like Dorien. Like, he is so out of her league." Daisy making a little joke and Misty giving her a cold look. "I mean look at Dorien. Dorien is so cute." Brock, Tracey, and Max looked at Misty and thought the opposite of what Daisy had said. "No, like, I'm just kidding. You know that I love you little sister. That's why I want to wish you good luck and a happy marriage. Now, let' get this party..."

Before she was able to finish her sentence the door to the arena had opened causing the seated to rise up to their feet and form a crowd over the entrance. All of the memories of the people who he had met over the years of traveling had come to say "hi" again. Everyone of them he remembered. "Hi Sakura, Richy, Todd," he said to those who had gave a shout of his name. "Hi Officer Jenny, Nurse Joy." Everyone there he had remembered.

"Didn't I tell you that the Electobuzz team would win the championship?" Asked the former spunky kid Casey, the girl they met in the Johto region who loved the Electobuzz baseball team.

"I guess that you were right, Casey," he admitted.

"Hey, Lugia and her baby came back to see me," said Osamu, the boy who they had met with Richie on the Whirl Islands. Osamu had found a baby Lugia and they had rescued it with the help of Osamu.

"I remember that," said Richie and Luka about the same time.

"I knew I should have visited the Whirl Islands." He said cursing that he had missed the chance to meet Lugia and her son again.

Brock, May, Max, and Tracey had gotten up, also, and went to the direction everyone had gathered. All of them were excited and curious how much their friend had changed.

"Ash!" Brock yelled in surprise and disbelief.

"Brocko" answered Ash with the same sentiment.

"Oh, Ash, you're finally here," said May looking teary eyed.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," Ash said as he came over and gave May a hug and a brotherly kiss.

"What great adventures and many pokemon you've probably seen," said Tracey with a big smile in his face.

"Trace, how's your apprenticeship with Prof. Oak going?" asked Ash.

"Hey, you're not forgetting about me, are you, Ash?" asked Max playfully.

Ash looked at the teen. He had notice that he wasn't the same size as he last saw him. Max had grown a lot taller and Ash did almost forgot about him.

"Sorry, Max, but you were so short the last time I saw you. You really did grow taller, but you're still not as tall as I am." Ash joked about his height of 5'11''.

"I'm only 16 and 5'6'' is normal for that age," Max said in retaliation.

By the time all of them had said hi to Ash, Deliah and Prof. Oak had gotten to the crowd. "Ash!!" Screamed Mrs. Ketchum in delight. She ran to him giving him a big hug. A hug that knocked the air out of his lungs.

"I miss you, too, mom," Ash said trying hard to get air. "Mom, you're suffocating me," Ash said playfully.

"A little hug never hurt anyone," Mrs. Ketchum said letting go of her son.

"So, how's the competition in the Orre Region my boy?" Asked Prof. Oak.

"Prof. Oak." Ash acknowledge. "It's really more difficult than most trainers in the Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn Regions Prof. Oak."

"Well, I’m sure that you're doing your best out there."

"Let me through!" An overly excited voice said behind the crowd of Ash's friends.

Everyone had moved to the side to let a beautiful figure appear in front of Ash. Ash's heart skipped a beat as the beauty wrapped her arms around him. Everything slowed down for both of them. It felt so tender. Each had a special feeling they both felt. A feeling that they couldn't tell of. The feeling felt good to both of them. The feeling was a long time gone from their lives. Was it love? They both asked themselves. NO, it wasn't. It was just familiarity. It was a kind of love. It's just familiarity. They both told themselves. It was a special familiarity that they only shared. A familiarity that no one can ever enter or break apart.

Misty had broke apart from the hug leaving Ash wanting more. They both looked in each other's eyes. Just starring. Not caring what people might think. Suddenly a sharp pain hit Ash on the back of his head.

"Owww. What did you do that for!?!?" Ash asked both angry and curious for what Misty had done.

"You jerk!" Misty shouted angrily and sadly.

"I travel more than a hundred miles, walk, run, hitchhike, endangered my life, just to see you and when I finally get here you smack me in the back of my head!"

"Five years, Ash. I haven't seen you in five years. You could of called, sent a letter, sent me a postcard. Nooo! You jerk!"

"What can I say... I was busy," Ash stammered for an answer.

"I knew you'd say something like that, Ash."

"Okay, I'm sorry that I didn't try to contact you, but that still doesn't give you the right to hit me."

"Yes, it does," Misty disagreed.

"No, it doesn't!" Ash said a little louder to get his point across.

"Yes, it does!" said Misty a little louder.

"No, it doesn't" Ash said close to yelling now.

After a while of bickering, Brock decided to try to stop the mundane conversation. "Can't we just agree to disagree?" asked Brock playing their referee again.

"Stay out of it!" Ash and Misty said in unison.

Deliah looked at both of them and saw that they really cared for each other to be fighting over nothing. She starred at both of them bickering and had imagined them in a younger body. The body of themselves eleven years ago. She imagined that Misty was still scrawny and a little taller than Ash. It always made her smile every time Misty and Ash had started their little skermishes, but now, she teared. Then suddenly, her smile had turned into a frown. She loved them both. She felt as if she was mother to both Ash and Misty. She stopped imagining them as young children and their true forms had come back to her eyes. She looked at them with teary eyes and whispered to herself, "It's just too bad."

Deliah had walked between them, but before she did, she wiped the tears in her eyes away. "Okay, that's enough of that," she said to them, again feeling like a mother.

Ash was about to fire back another "no,it doesn't," but he didn't. He looked into Misty's eyes again and stepped back. Ash turned around and shook his whole body and turned around. He smile and said, "hello Misty. I've missed you."

She didn't say anything, just turned her head to the side in protest.

"Hey!," said Brock just noticing. "Where is Pikachu?"

"I thought you'd never ask. Pikachu, time for the big surprise."

The door behind Ash opened and entered a small yellow paw. Next to the yellow pokemon entered a young, cute boy dressed in mahogany brown shorts a white collar shirt and a navy blue bow-tie. The boy looked a little under the age of four. Pikachu climbed up Ash's shoulder and the boy held on to Ash's leg. Ash then picked the boy up.

Everyone looking were in both confusion and shock. Assumptions everywhere Ash looked. He looked at his mother and she had a shocked, giant smile. She was in about tears as Ash jumbled the kid in his arms.

May wanted to say something, anything. She was too shocked to say anything and also too conscious about what may happen if she did.

Tracey had also wanted to say something, but didn't, mainly because if he were wrong, he'd be too embarrassed.

Misty was also shocked. She couldn't believe what Ash held in his arms. How did this happen? What could have led to this? In fact, who could have done it? She was now angrier than she was before. How could he not tell her about the boy?

Finally the quiet had ended. "Ash, is the boy yours?" asked Deliah.

Ash stayed quiet for a while, then answered "yes."

Deliah had almost fainted. She was happy that her son had finally settled down and formed his own family.

It was confirmed. It came out of the horse's mouth. Misty was saddened.

Ash then covered his mouth as if covering a cough or hiding something like a lip ring. Then he couldn't take it anymore.

Pikachu had covered his mouth before Ash did, but no one had noticed it. It was just now that Pikachu had let out a burst of laughter. Then Ash had started to burst out in laughter, too.

Everyone was even more confused. Was Ash and Pikachu that happy that they would start to laugh uncontrollably? What was the big joke?

In fact, the whole thing was a big joke. "Okay, that's enough of that," Ash said kind of yelling in the direction of the door as if someone was behind it.

Laughter between two people had started in the other side of the door. The door opened and in fact, it was two people laughing. The two had looked familiar to Brock and Misty, but they couldn't put their image to who they were.

"Oh, come on!" Ash said disappointedly. "Don't tell me you guys forgot who they are?"

Brock and Misty looked at each other in confusion. "Who are they Ash?" Asked Brock.

"They are Shintaro and Yuriko," Ash answered.

"I can't believe that you forgot about us," said Shintaro.

"If it weren't for you two and Ash, we might not be together today," said Shintaro's wife Yuriko.

"Don't you remember guys?" Ash said to both Misty and Brock. "We met them in the Whirl Islands. Remember the Silver Wing replica that Shintaro makes."

"Oh, I remember now. It's you two," Brock said. "Shintaro was looking dead when we first met him. And Yuriko kept us from getting jipped from the counterfeit Silver Wings."

"Oh, yeah. You were the 'too shy guy' who couldn't ask Yuriko to marry you." Added Misty.

"That's us," said Shintaro and Yuriko in unison.

"That's them," Ash added. "I met them in the Whirl Islands right before the ship to the Kanto region was about to leave. They had wanted to go on their first family vacation and I suggested going to the Kanto region. I hope you don't mind me inviting them to your wedding Misty?" Asked Ash sure of him self that she wouldn't get mad at him for that.

Everyone had snapped out of their confusion. Many of them got the joke, except for those close to Ash. It seems that they had hope some kind of big responsibility like having a son would teach Ash the more important things in life. Striving to be the best Pokemon Trainer in the world is a worthwhile effort, but ignoring your friends and family in the process is not the way to do it.

"That's a cruel joke, Ash!" said Deliah who was now looking furious. "How can you trick your mother like that? I had really thought I was a grandmother."

"I'm sorry mom, but I just couldn't resist. Besides, how long has it been since I last tricked you?" answered Ash with such a weak response.

"Well, it wouldn't be too long ago if you had visited us from time to time," Misty answered angrily.

"Alright, alright. Break it up, he's here, now lets get back to the party," said Daisy pushing everyone to her side heading for Misty. "Don't forget that your fiance is still over there waiting for you to come back," whispered Daisy into Misty's ear.

She had almost forgot about Dorien. The reason why they're all there. The reason why Ash is here. "How could I have been so distracted? I need to get back before Dorien starts to feel left out," Misty thought to herself.

She ran through the crowd and went and apologize to Dorien who was just making a ring figure around his wine glass. "Oh, you finally remember about me?" asked Dorien sarcastically.

"I didn't mean to leave you alone, but it's just that Ash hasn't been here in this region for a good seven years," Misty trying to make Dorien understand.

Ash was about to take a step into Misty's direction, but was suddenly stopped by a man with spiky hair and wearing a Ying-yang medallion necklace. Ash hadn't notice who the person was at first, but then suddenly answered "Gary!" Gary wasn't gathered around Ash when he first stepped inside the arena. In fact, Gary was sitting down at his reserved table on opposite side of Brock, Tracey, May and Max. Gary was in deep thought when everyone had gathered to say their hellos to Ash.

"It's been a long time Ash," Gary said putting out his right arm in a fist at Ash.

"What's that for, are you going to punch me?" Asked Ash worried about Gary's big knuckled hand.

"No," answered Gary opening his had to reveal a pokeball missing its white half. "You beat me Ash."

"I remember that, but why are you giving it to me?" Asked Ash.

"Don't you remember the bet we made? Who ever becomes the best pokemon trainer between the two of us, gets to keep the first pokeball that we have ever had."

Ash remembered the day he was fishing near the river near Pallet. He had remembered his confrontation with Gary about who was fishing there first. Gary and him had caught the same thing and fought over it. It was a pokeball that was caught on both Gary and his hook. Ash remembered him and Gary pulling their fishing rod and breaking up the pokeballin half.

"Here, you won," said Gary graciously.

"No!" said Ash with intensity in his eyes.

"Take it, you've won our bet."

"No!" Ash answered again. "Our original bet was to see who would be the best pokemon trainer between us, but I remembered that you quit being a trainer and became a Pokemon researcher instead. That was when our bet was changed."

"Ash, I can't compete with you anymore. You've been to the Orre Region. You've survived the most dangerous region in the world. I can't top that."

"Quit saying things like that," Ash firmly stated. "The bet has changed. If I recall our last bet was to see who would make the most impression in the pokemon world. You with your research, and me as a trainer. I still haven't been able to reach my goal, and you still haven't been able to reach yours. So, until I'm done with mine, I want you to keep that half of my pokeball safe."

"Thanks Ash, but now that I've realized that this game isn't over, I'm taking home the pokeball," Gary said smiling at Ash. "Our bet still isn't over and won't be until I say so."

"Okay, pal," Ash giving Gary a the same smile back. "Until the bet is over," Ash announced putting his right arm in a gesture of friendship.

"Until our bet is over," Gary putting his half of the pokeball away and taking Ash's arm in a firm hand shake.

Prof. Oak watched as the whole thing occur. He had tears in his eyes looking at his top two trainers. He was proud that they were finally not just rivals, but also friends.

"Ash, you're not going to stay in the party looking like that, right?" asked Ash's mother from behind him.

Ash looked at himself and realized that he was in his old dusty clothing. He looked around the arena and noticed everyone was in their formal outfits. He felt a little embarrassed and remembered that he had nothing to wear. "I guess I've been out in the wild too long," he said with a crooked smile.

"Don't worry Ash," said May to his side. "You're mother was expecting you to just barge looking like a louse. That's why she made me buy this for you." May took out a box about the size of a pizza box with the word "Black Ties" in giant bold text. "She even gave me your size when she had asked."

"Thanks, but how do you know that it's going to fit me?" ask Ash.

"Your mother always know, Ash," answered Deliah. "But before you put it on, go take a shower. You kind of smell."

Ash made a sour face and headed out through the arena doors with May accompanying him.

****

Location: Misty's room. The bathroom is in her room and Ash was forced to take a shower. Just outside of Misty's room is May waiting for Ash to finish.

May had taken Ash to Misty's room and told him to take a shower there. Ash was hesitant in going in, thinking that Misty would be mad at him for using her shower. May had reassured Ash it was okay. May herself had been using Misty's shower in more than three weeks now and Misty hasn't blown her top at her. "Why would she be mad. I've had to share the roomwith her for that last three weeks."

"What?" Ash asked.

"Yeah, we've been roommates ever since she had called me to help her plan for the wedding. She called me first, knowing that I'm such a great Pokemon Coordinator," May said smugly and jokingly.

"The Sensational Sisters really do love the water, don't they?" ask Ash looking at the ocean theme drapes, ocean theme soap, water pokemon shampoo bottle, the ocean and horizon paintings on the wall.

May laughed a little. "Ash," said May, "tell me, what have you been doing in the last five years after Brock and Misty and you went your separate ways?"

"To tell you the truth, I don't really know what I've been doing. The first year after I was just traveling by myself, I was just traveling without a goal. Just training and getting stronger" he answered.

"Doesn't it always seem that way?" May said. "When you're too busy, you forget to take a little time to just sit down and think about where you are."

"It wasn't always that way. Before we went our separate ways, I had great memories about the travels I had. Now, it just seems empty. The only thing that keeps me traveling around the world is the dream. You know the dream. The dream of being the best at what you do."

"I know what you mean," May agreed. "Tell me something else."

"What do you want to know?" asked Ash.

"Why didn't you keep in touch with us?" May asked feeling a little hurt that Ash had maybe forgotten about them.

"I'm sorry," Ash answered. That was all he could say.

"Don't give me that!" May yelled out angrily. "You missed out on a lot of great times Ash.

"I know May, I'm so sorry."

"I was busy too, but I managed to come and visit Brock a few times," May stated still angry. "You missed your mother's own birthday and all you did most of the time was just send a crummy happy birthday postcard. You didn't even call her personally."

Ash stopped scrubbing himself and just looked at the water pouring down from the shower head. He asked himself why didn't he. He could at least call them. The only person who he kept in contact with was Prof. Oak. "I didn't call...because I was scared," Ash answered.

"What do you mean you were scared?" asked May even more angry. "From the time I first met you, you were never scared of what life had challenged you with."

"I know, but after Misty and Brock had left me, my losing spree began. At first I had wanted to call everyone, but then I was ashamed that I couldn't do it by myself. I started to think that the only reason why I was so successful when I had you guys was because I wasn't alone. A year later, I was out of the funk and I started to become a better pokemon trainer. I've noticed that I was better off if I kept to myself. That way, I can proof to myself that I was able to win without any support. I said to myself, to be a better pokemon trainer, I would have to fend for myself like many other trainers. I looked at other trainer who traveled by themselfs and were able to make it. I wanted to be one of them. To truly be a pokemon trainer, you must be able to get through the bad without any help.

"Ash, you know that you're never alone. You could have asked me to come," May's anger seem to diminish.

"I know you would have, but it was true. I had to go on by myself like the other trainers I've met. They were there because of themselves and their pokemon."

"I never thought of it that way." May's anger fully diminished now. "I'm sorry for yelling. I didn't think you had such a good excuse. To think, I had wanted to punch you for not keeping in contact." May laughed and Ash started too inside the shower.

After their little conversation, May had left the room. Ash was done and had gone out of Misty's bathroom. May had blushed uncontrollably when she had accidently seen Ash with only a towel under his waist. Ash took the box with the suit inside and quickly went back to the restroom. "He's kind of cute," thought May to herself. "The years have been good to Ash.

Ash came back out three minutes later with his arms away from. "What do you think?" ask Ash searching for approval.

"You look like a gentleman, Ash," May said scouting Ash. "Except for the hair."

Ash's hair was literally all over the place. It was Ash's usual hair style. The messy some-what spiky hair he had. "What about my hair?" asked Ash disappointed at the Pokemon Coordinator's criticism.

"Look at yourself on the vanity mirror. You can't catch women that way, you know," May criticized.

"What do you mean? I do well with women," Ash protested. "I was able to get you and Misty to follow me on my journey."

"That's only because you were able to destroy both of our bikes," May pointed out.

"Oh, yeah," Ash then laughed.

Suddenly, out of the bottom corner of Ash's eyes, he caught a glimpse of a picture next to another picture of Misty and Dorien. It was a picture of him and Misty that Todd, the Pokemon Photographer, took. In the picture Ash was slump down in a fetal possession smiling and his right arm extended making a peace sign. Behind him was Misty. She stood up bent over both her arms on Ash's back. She too was smiling in the picture. Ash remembered that day. It was the same day that Todd had tried to take a picture of Pikachu for Team Rocket. "It was great while it lasted," Ash whispered to himself.

May had looked on as Ash reminisced about happier times with his best friend. May had felt a little sorry about Ash's absents and his mistake for not keeping in contact with Misty. "That's what Ash did want. It's his own fault," May thought to herself.

Ash snapped out of it and said, "I think we should get back," Ash giving May a sympathetic smile for her sake.

May smiled back. "Not before I fix your hair."

****

Location: Back at the arena where the party is still in session.

Immediately after Ash had entered, all eyes were on him, again. All the eyes of the women. May was right. He really did have a better chance with the women if his hair wasn't everywhere. "I guess I don't have to ruin any bikes after all, huh May?" Ash asked jokingly.

May laughed. "You can blow up my bike anytime, Ash," May said.

Ash and May took their seats filling up the six seat table, with Pikachu sitting in the extra seat.

"Looking snazzy, Ash," Brock commented.

"Yeah, look at the casanova with his new hair style," joked Tracey causing Max and Brock to laugh.

"Stop it!" exclaimed May. "I did that, and I happen to think he's cute."

Brock, Tracey, and Max had looked at each other, then at May.

Blushing now May said, "only as a friend," not really thinking about what she was thinking.

"Alright, alright," Ash accepting defeat, "I know I don't look like myself, but for May, I'll do this."

"Thank you, Ash. See, you could learn a few things from Ash" May remarked.

Deliah looked at Ash and saw that his hair was different. "How can he do that to his hair. He looked a lot more handsome with it messy," Deliah thought to herself.

Misty too, had noticed Ash's hair. "He looks like an idiot with that hair style. It was better messy," thought Misty to herself.

Daisy then stood up and tapped her wine glass again to get everyone's attention. "Now, that everyone is here and I hoped no one else is going to barge in on my announcement," Daisy giving a harsh look at Ash's direction, "I'd like to announce that dinner will now be served."

Dinner was great. Ash thought. Except when Misty and Dorien had started to feed each other. It looked like they were little kids unable to feed themselves, Ash thought in disgust.

After dinner, the hired musicians had started playing slow music and a group of girls had gathered around Ash's table. This drove Brock mad with jealousy. Each one of the girls had asked him to dance, practically begging.

"Com'on Ashy boy. How's about a dance with the Ditto Master?" asked Duplica coming close to Ash's left ear and whispered, "I can look like Misty if you want."

Ash looked at her in an astonished and a little offended look.

"Forget her," said Casey, the Electobuzz fanatic, pushing Duplica away, "what about me, Ash?"

Ash felt a tap behind him. "What about me?" To Ash's surprise it was Misty's sister Lily. "Come on. If you don't know how to dance, I can teach you."

"Like, what are you doing Lily?" asked Misty's other sister Violet.

"I'm just asking Ash for a dance, Violet," Lily answered.

Violet gave her sister an angry look. Violet came up to Lily, about five inches separated them. "Didn't you say he looked like a 'bum off the streets'?" asked Violet to Lily hardly making a sound so no one would be able to hear her. "Remember, that was exactly what you said when he had entered the arena not even an hour ago."

"I can change my mind when ever I want," Lily answered back.

"Not if I ask him first," Violet fired back.

Soon the two were starring beams of electricity between each other's eyes.

"Don't worry ladies, Ash may not know how to dance, but I certainly do," Brock said trying not to drool.

"Oh, you don't know how to dance, Ash?" asked Sakura putting her Espion down on the floor. "I should teach you how. It's really fun when you get the hang of it."

"Really, I'd love to, but I've been traveling all day and haven't had any time to go to sleep," Ash said trying to come up with something good to say so he wouldn't have to dance.

Seeing that Ash wasn't getting out of this, May had decided to pull Ash off his seat herself. "Non-sense, Ash. You'll have all night to go to sleep. This is a party, you should get up and dance," without Ash's consent, May had grabbed Ash's left arm and practically dragged him to the dance floor.

Deliah looked on as May took Ash to the dance floor and the girls gathered around his table were now getting attacked themselves, by Brock and Tracey, as they did to Ash. Max sat alone not wanting to look as desperate as Brock and Tracey were. Deliah's focus went back to Ash and May. "It's a good thing I taught Ash to dance at a young age. I knew he'd needed that skill someday."

"Okay Ash, just put you hands around me and..." Ash grabbed her before she had finished.

To May's surprise Ash had started to move her. She felt light in his arms as if she did not move, but Ash had carried her. May had noticed that Ash didn't really want to dance and was just trying to get rid of the girls that had wanted to. She then felt embarrassed for being so intrusive.

"Don't tell anyone, but my mother used to give me dance lessons when I was just six," Ash whispered to her ear.

"Sorry, Ash," May said solemnly.

"For what?" Ash asked.

"For being so pushy. I know now that you really don't want to dance. If you had, you'd have danced with one of the other girls."

"That's not true, I'm happy to be dancing with you," Ash said giving her the thumbs up for her intrusiveness.

Most of the guest were dancing know. After Brock had finally got Officer Jenny to dance and after Tracey had asked for Nurse Joy's assistance on the dance floor, Max was left alone wondering what was so great about dancing.

Suddenly, a tap was felt at Max's back. It was Deliah. She had noticed that there weren't anyone at the party close to Max's age and decided to take him under her wings at his dance instructor. "Come on, Max. Dancing is fun."

"That's alright Mrs. Ketchum," Max tried to fight her strong grip. "I would rather just sit here and watch."

"Is it because you don't know how to dance, Max?" Suspected Deliah. "I taught Ash how to dance, how about you?"

Knowing that he couldn't get out of it, Max shrugged his shoulders and stood up.

The night had gone on like that for the rest of the festivities. Ash was very tired when the last song had played and sat down. He decided to close his eyes for a while, just to keep his eyes moisturized. Not knowing it, Ash fell deep asleep.

May wanted to wake him up, but she would have been a lot more intrusive than she was already, so she left him alone.

The party has ended and the guest headed to hotels that the Sensational sisters had rented out for them. The sisters were a great attraction in Cerulean City, so they were given great discounts by most of the businesses.

Deliah stood over Ash just looking at him his head lying on the table. She had remembered when Ash was just five years old and went to sleep on the couch after watching the Pokemon League. She would usually carry him to his bed and kiss him on his forehead. At the present, She wouldn't be able to carry him, so she just gave him a kiss.

Brock came over and said, "just like a little baby."

"Brock, where is Ash going to stay tonight?" asked Deliah.

"Oh, Misty just told us to take him with us guys. We're all going to stay here in the gym's guest room. We're all going to be room mates tonight."

"Oh, that’s great, you guys can get caught up, if Ash ever gets up."

"I'll be back to get Ash after we get the room ready," Brock said. Misty walked by and Brock had asked, "Misty, where's the guest room at?"

"Oh, I forgot, just follow Tracey and Max, they've been bunking for the last three days. They know where to go," answered Misty. "Mrs. Ketchum, I guess you have to bunk with May and I again."

"That'll be fine," answered Deliah.

Dorien came up to where Misty and Deliah were standing. "I tired, I think it's better if we just clean up tomorrow."

"Of course," answered Misty. "This is going to take all night if we started now. It's better if we do it in the morning."

"Okay, I think I'll take a shower before I go home," Dorien announced. He gave Misty a kiss and was on his way.

"Isn't anyone going to wake up Ash?" Misty Asked.

"Brock said he'll get Ash when he's done getting the room ready for four people," answered Deliah.

"Oh..., okay," said Misty.

"I'm tired myself," said Deliah. "I’ll just go up ahead." Deliah yawned and headed out the door.

Misty noticed Pikachu sleeping on the main table. She walked to him and found that food was all over his face. She woke up Pikachu and rubbed his face with a napkin. "You're just like Ash, Pikachu."

"Pika pika," Pikachu said half asleep.

"Pikachu, Ash is going to sleep with Brock and the other guys. Do you want to sleep with us girls?" Misty asked.

Pikachu suddenly shook of his sleepiness and answered, "Pika-pika, Pikachu." Pikachu answered in delight.

"I'll take that as a yes," said Misty giving a giant smile to Pikachu.

Misty headed for the door, but noticed Ash sleeping. "He's kind of cute when his mouth isn't running." She came close to him and put Pikachu down on the table Ash was laying down in. "Don't tell anyone I'm doing this, Pikachu."

"Pika-pika," Pikachu started laughing uncontrollably.

Then Misty took out a pen and a piece of paper. "I always wanted to do this to him," Misty laughed and ran out the door.

Five minutes later, Brock came back and shook Ash to wake him up. "Get up Ash, I'm not going to carry you."

"Okay, stop shaking me," Ash said grumpily.

Brock had a good look at Ash's face and made a deviant smirk. "What, did Jigglypuff come and sing you a lullaby?" asked Brock jokingly.

"What are you talking about?" Ash asked. "And where's Pikachu?"

"Don't worry, I just passed Misty with Pikachu in her arms," Brock reassured Ash. "And about me laughing, you'll see what I mean."

****

Location: In the guest room. Tracey, Max, Brock and Ash are there. Ash is in the restroom while the rest of the guys are on their bunks laughing themselves silly.

"Oh, this is why you're all laughing," Ash yelled inside the restroom. Then he started laughing himself silly as the other guys. "Misty's going to pay for this," Ash declared.

Ash wet a piece of paper towel and started to rub out the fake mustache, the glasses, and the scar that was drawn on his face. He had to rub hard, but was able to get every single mark off. Ash then started to get undressed. "Max, can you give me that white shirt and that white short in my backpack,” asked Ash as he began to fold the suit when a piece of paper fell off the pocket.

"I like your hair better when it's messy."

The letter said. On the corner of the paper there was a little sketch drawing of Misty giving out the peace sign. Ash smiled and looked at his hair. "That's why my hair is so messy."

****

Location: In the guest room that Ash, Brock, Tracey and Max were staying in.

Ash came out of the bathroom looking forward to a good night's sleep, when Tracey had come in with a tray of food and a six pact of soda. "What's up with the food Trace?" Ash asked.

"It was Brock's idea. The boys are back together and we're going to party the night away." Tracey excitedly howled.

"Yeah, Ash," Brock also howled. "This is a special occasion. We haven't seen you in five years. I think you at least owe us a night of partying." Brock giving a frown at Ash.

"What do ya say Ash? Sleep is overrated anyways." Max stated.

Ash thought for a moment, then gave a howl. "Okay, just hand me the pork rinds," Ash said reaching for a can.

****

Location: Misty's room.

In another room, Misty's room, howls were constantly being heard. "Ugh," Misty complained, "what are those boys doing?"

"That must be them celebrating a reunion," May answered.

"Yeah, well, they better do it in the morning or I'm going to crazy," Misty said starting to get angry.

"Oh, leave them alone. This is the first time they've been together in five years, just let them enjoy the night," May defended.

"That maybe, but I know I raised Ash to be more respectful in other people's home," Deliah said matter of factly.

"Well, if Ash didn't keep so busy all the time. If he had just called from time to time. Mr. ‘I'm a pokemon trainer. I'm too busy to even give my friends the benefit of knowing if I'm alright or not.’" Misty imitating Ash's voice mockingly.

"I don't know what went wrong with him after you guys went your separate ways. The only thing I got was birthday postcards or Christmas presents. The only present I wanted was his visit." Deliah sadly and angrily complained.

"Don't be too harsh on Ash Mrs. Ketchum. Ash has his reasons why he stayed away so long," May defended Ash knowing why he did what he did.

"Why are you defending him, May?" Misty asked.

"I just think that we should give him the benefit of the doubt," May answered.

"Do you know something we don't know. You and Ash did take your time changing into his suit," Deliah instigated.

"Yeah, screwing up his hair wouldn't take that long," Misty added to the speculation.

"Wait, a minute. You didn't like the way I fixed his hair?" May asked feeling a little hurt.

"I didn't like it," Deliah confessed, "it's just that Ash didn't look like Ash."

"That was the exact thing I was thinking," Misty connecting with Deliah in somewhat of a higher plain.

"Wait, we got off of topic," Deliah said, "Come on May, did Ash tell you why he didn't stay in contact with any of us?"

"Please, May, if he told you anything, tell us." Misty close to begging. "It's not for gossip's sake, it's because I'm...we're worried about him."

"Tell us, we're worried about Ash." Deliah said looking making a worried face. "Is he in some kind of trouble that he couldn't tell us?"

Misty was kind of jealous of May that Ash had told May, but not her. Misty and Ash were more than friends, they were best friends. Misty wanted a explanation. Why didn't Ash want to talk to her for such a long time?

"Okay, he did tell me something. He said..." There was a knock on the door before May could say anything.

Misty walked to the door and turned the knob. It was Daisy with a tray of junk food and a twelve pack of soda. Violet and Lily were in the back of her with pillows on their left arm and blankets on their right.

"Slumber party!" The three older Sensational Sisters screamed in unison.

"What do you mean slumber party?" Misty asked annoyed.

"Well, the guys seem like they won't be going to sleep any time soon, so we decided to party the night away like them," Daisy answered getting only an agitated expression on Misty's face.

"Okay," said Misty, "just hand me the pork rinds."

"Wooo!" Everyone starred at Deliah after her howl. "I just thought that we should fight fire with fire."

"Woooo!" Misty howled. "It's more fun than I had thought," Misty had forgotten about what May had to say.

****

Location: The guest room that Ash, Tracey, Brock and Max were staying in.

"Was that my mom?" Asked Ash in surprise.

"Yeah, I'd guess that was her, it sounds like her," Max answered.

"Was that Misty, too?" Ash asked again.

"That was her. I remember her screams," Tracey answered.

"Isn't that like Misty, every time she gets mad?" Ash jokingly asked.

Ash looked at the faces that had missed him so much in the last five years of his absents. They were all laughing and smiling. What times he had missed. Get-togethers that would force them to ask where he is. Disappointment, frustration, even anger that had to be held inside so not to cause any real emotional breakdowns among the crowd. Ash looked at their happy faces and thought that all the drama concerning him was left in the past. He felt bad for the times he missed and also angry at himself. He felt left-out, but he knew it was his own fault. Maybe going out in the world by yourself wasn't the best way to go? Maybe if everyone traveled in a group, there would be better trainers than the batch they have now. It stuck in Ash's mind. Did he really have to travel alone to be a true trainer? Those answers can never be answered.