Feeling Misty's curious gaze, Ash internally grumbled about Max. That kid!
But, facing Misty's gaze, Ash didn't show any reaction. He simply nodded and replied, "Yes, Max's sister May was my traveling companion in the Hoenn region. Don't worry, Max, I've prepared a gift for your sister too."
As they greeted each other, Delia had just finished preparing everything in the kitchen, and the food was ready to be served! It was just in time for dinner.
"All right, let's eat first, and we can talk afterward. I've prepared many of your favorite dishes, Ash. Try them and see if my cooking has improved."
Everyone took their seats: Ash first, followed by Max, Professor Birch, Professor Oak, and Delia.
"Max's sister?" For some reason, Misty suddenly felt a bit down. After all, she wasn't traveling with Ash anymore.
After sitting down, Misty didn't say much else. As Ash began eating, he wondered how he could get Misty and May to get along. It seemed like things were getting a little complicated.
He also thought about Team Rocket. If they showed up while both Misty and May were here, it could be a convenient distraction.
Ash suspected that May was probably waiting for him at Professor Oak's lab, but just as he was about to slip away, Professor Oak insisted he come along.
As expected, when they arrived at Oak's lab, Tracey was there sketching. Max immediately took a liking to Tracey's drawings. And, as anticipated, May and Misty met.
"Max, what are you doing here?" May was surprised to see her brother at Professor Oak's lab. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
"Hehe, sis, you left me at home alone. I got bored, so I tagged along with Professor Birch." Max chuckled.
May politely thanked Professor Birch.
"Max's father, Norman and I are old acquaintances," Oak explained. "May is here to train for the Kanto region's Pokémon Contests, and her father thought she could learn a lot here, especially since Ash is around."
Then, Professor Oak dashed off to his lab, taking Professor Birch with him.
"Oh, so you're May!" Delia said, delighted by her polite manner. "Ash has certainly met a lot of friends during his travels."
Misty, on the other hand, felt a stronger sense of unease.
Ash introduced everyone to each other, but as he was introducing May, Misty stepped forward and said, "Hello, I'm Misty. I used to travel with Ash through the Kanto, Orange Islands, and Johto regions."
Did she just mention all the regions they traveled together?
"Hi, Misty. I've heard a lot about you from Ash and Brock," May responded politely. "I traveled with Ash in the Hoenn region."
Max, observing from the side, thought to himself, Sis, you're at a disadvantage—she has three regions, while you only have one!
Sensing the tension, Ash quickly jumped in. "How about I show you my Pokémon?" he offered, leading them into Oak's lab where he stored many of his past captures.
Ash handed Tracey his gift and then gave May hers. Like Misty's, it was a set of perfume and a necklace.
Then, he introduced his Pokémon from the Hoenn region to the ones from Kanto and Johto.
Later, sitting on the grass, Ash started thinking about which Pokémon he should use to challenge the Battle Frontier.
"Ash, are you saying you're going to challenge the Battle Frontier in the Kanto region next?" May asked eagerly.
"Yeah, why?" he responded.
Bayleef, one of Ash's most affectionate Pokémon, was cuddling up to him. She was clearly the happiest one to see Ash back, as she was always the most attached to him.
"In that case, we can travel together again!" May suggested, right in front of Misty.
"Me too, Ash! I want to travel together again; it's been so long, and I miss those days!" Misty chimed in.
At that very moment, outside Professor Oak's lab, Team Rocket's trio finally appeared!
"Meowth, it's been a while since we made an entrance, but we're back!"
They hid in a tree, watching through binoculars.
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