Well after two papers and finals week I'm finally ready to enjoy my month off, and I figured that I might as well get this story idea out of my head to start it off. First of all I'd like to thank Lord Zant for the idea that this story is based off of. Well enough of this and on to the story.

Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own Pokèmon or its characters

As the sun sets over the horizon Ash watched wistfully from the railing of the S.S. Aqua as she continued on to her destination. Pikachu looks onto his trainer to try and understand what was going through his head but not noticing any reaction returned his attention to the sunset as well. With their attention elsewhere it was easy for a certain blue haired coordinator to sneak up on them.

"So whatcha doing?" Dawn said rather loudly. The sudden appearance of the girl made Ash jump a bit, but that combined with his own surprise made Pikachu nearly fall over the side of the ship.

"Pikapi!" he yelled from his position as the little Pokèmon held on to the railing slowly sliding down to the deck.

"Hold on Pikachu!" Ash yelled as he ducked down to grab his friend. Grabbing the rodent he brought him back inside the safety of the railing. Ash then collapsed on the deck leaning up against the railing seemingly still is a slight state of shock.

"Cha…" Pikachu cooed as he rubbed up against Ash.

"Hehe, sorry guys, didn't think that I would have scared you that much." Dawn said rather sheepishly.

"Well everything is fine now I guess," Ash said as he looked down at Pikachu. He gave a big sigh and closed his eyes. "How the hell did you ever convince me to come along with you to Hoenn?" He wondered aloud while petting Pikachu.

"Oh come on even you can't have that bad of a memory, I mean it was only a few days ago," Dawn replied, "besides it's not like you had anything better planned."

It was just after the Sinnoh League Championship match, and Ash was sulking after his defeat in the final round. Even though he was placed as second in the tournament and he knew that there was no shame in getting second place, he still couldn't help but feel depressed.

Ash, Brock and Dawn were sitting in the Pokèmon Center eating supper when Dawn spoke up.

"Alright Ash we know that you are mad that you lost the tournament but this is ridiculous. You placed second in all of Sinnoh! I just wish I could have done that well in my contests."

"Ya I know but I guess that's not the only thing that's bothering me right now." Ash said as he nursed a chocolate shake.

"Alright then tell us about it, maybe we can help."

"Ash, there is a reason we're called your friends you know." Brock added.

"Well part of me is happy for finally placing second in a regional tournament, but I guess what is making me feel down is the fact that now that I'm done with the Sinnoh League there really is no where else to go. I've competed in the four regional leagues, as well as several smaller ones, and was able to get reasonable placement in all of them but now all that's left is competing in each of them all over again." Ash told them as he stared off into space.

A small glint came to Dawn's eye as she heard this. "Alright then I know the perfect thing to cheer you up and get you back into line. You can come with me to Hoenn!"

"Huh? Hoenn?" Ash gave her a quizzical look. And he wasn't alone Brock too was surprised by Dawn's sudden idea. "I competed in the Hoenn League a couple of years ago, you know that. So why would I want to go back there so soon? If anything I would want to reenter the Indigo League seeing as it was the first one I entered."

"And that's exactly why you should come with me. For one I've heard that Hoenn is beautiful this time of year and second they have contests!" she responded with a smile.

"I'm still missing the point."

She gave a big sigh, quite annoyed at her slow friend. "Alright then I'll spell it out for you. I want to go to Hoenn, correct?" Dawn said in a forceful tone.

"I guess." Ash said as he slid back into his chair.

"Good, now you've been to Hoenn before, so you know a lot of things about it, correct?"

Ash only nodded, still unclear of what the blue haired girl was getting at.

"And that's why you will be my guide as I go through competing in the contests." She finished with a smile.

"WHAT!" Ash yelled as he stood up by the comment. A hush fell around the center as everyone stared at the now embarrassed trainer. "Sorry," he said to all the trainers as he took his seat again with a blush running across his face. "Why should I be your guide? Brock has been there too!" He said in a harsh whisper.

"Sorry Ash no can do, you should now by now that I need to go home for a while. Besides I need to make sure the Forest is able to handle the influx of trainers that should be arriving with the new league season starting up." Brock said.

"Okay but that still doesn't explain why I have to go." Ash said crossing his arms like a spoiled child.

Dawn couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction, "Wow she's good. Ash is acting exactly as planned, now to reel him in."

"Alright then, what do you have planned that is more important than traveling with a good friend and showing her the ins and outs of the Hoenn contests?"

Ash opened his mouth but no words come out. He closed it and sat back into his seat mumbling a few incomprehensible words.

"Uh huh, just like I thought. Besides you can use your time there to train for the Indigo League if you're that desperate. I mean you already have all the badges to qualify for the league, so what's the problem with taking a little vacation along with the training?"

Ash knew he was trapped; there was nothing he could say to get out of this one. If he said that he had something planned he would be lying to two of his closest friends. Not to mention they would be able to see right through it anyways.

"Alright fine I'll go with you. A vacation doesn't sound too bad right now anyways." Ash said to the exuberant coordinator.

"Thank you Ash!" she said with a large smile on her face. "I promise you won't regret it!"

"I'm already starting too." Ash thought.

"Alright let's get Pikachu and the others back from Nurse Joy so we can get to our rooms. Apparently tomorrow is going to be a busy day." Ash said as he stood up to leave.

As Dawn finished recalling the past events Ash could only shake his head at his own stupidity.

"Oh ya, that's how." Ash said in a defeated tone.

"Oh come on, it can't be that bad. Besides like I said you won't regret coming with me." Dawn replied as the last bit of the sunset illuminated her smiling face.

"You keep on saying that, what do you mean?"

"Oh you'll realize everything in time."

A ring sounded out across the ship, signaling that an announcement was about to be made. "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I am proud to say that we will be making our way into the Lilycove docks around 5:00 tomorrow morning. Until then please continue to enjoy your trip, and thank you for choosing the S.S. Aqua."

The coordinator got up and started to walk toward the lower decks. "I'm going to go eat, I'm starving. You coming?" She called to the trainer still sitting on the deck.

"Ya I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Alright, just don't be too late. If you are all of the best food will be gone by then." Dawn said as she waved to him.

As Ash watched her walk back into the ship he looked up at the sky where the stars were just starting to reveal themselves. He sat there petting Pikachu as he returned to his thoughts before Dawn surprised them. All this talk about Hoenn has brought up memories of an old traveling companion.

"I wonder what May is doing right now Pikachu." He spoke to his small friend. "The Johto contests have to be over by now, and I haven't heard from her in over a month. Usually she calls us nearly every week to either brag about a win or gloom over a loss." Pikachu looked up at his trainer.

"Pika Pika, chu pika Pikapi."

"True, there is the possibility of seeing he while we're traveling. I guess I'll have to take a small detour to Petalburg along the way. Thanks Pikachu."

"Pika." He responded with a small nod.

"Well we might as well go eat; Dawn's not the only one who is hungry right?"

"Pika!" Pikachu responded as he ran up to Ash's shoulder.

"Right, we'll eat and rest before going to bed and by tomorrow morning we should be in Hoenn." Ash said as he stood up and walked toward the dining hall.

Ash awoke the next morning with the sun shinning right into his eyes. Groaning he pulled the sheets over his head to try to block out the annoying light. But only seconds after doing so the sheets were pulled away from his head and he was once again greeted with the morning sun.

"Oh come on Dawn, at least let me sleep in another couple hours." Ash groaned again as he tried to take the covers back from the girl.

"Um Ash, it's already 10:00. Another couple of hours and it won't even be morning anymore." She said standing over him.

"And your point is?"

As soon as he said those words he regretted it, because soon after they came out of his mouth two pillows slammed into his head.

"I've been wanting to come to Hoenn for a while now and you're not going to start it off on a bad foot by sleeping in until all hours of the afternoon, got it?"

"Fine fine," Ash said as he yawned and sat up. Rubbing his eyes he was finally able to get accustomed to the light and look at his surrounds. He was sitting in the room that Dawn's mother rented for them to get to Hoenn in. There were two beds and he was the unlucky one to get the one closer to the window. But looking back at Dawn he noticed that she was all ready to start the day.

"How long have you been up?" He asked yawning again as he got up off the bed and headed for the bathroom

"Only a few hours, I figured that I would open the shades and let the sun wake you up. But it took you long enough to notice it." She huffed.

"Well sorry for liking my sleep. This may just be more contests for you right now but the first part of this journey is all vacation for me. Why do you think I transported all of my Pokèmon to Professor Oak's lab?" He asked as he closed the door to the small bathroom so he could take his morning shower.

Dawn couldn't help but giggle at his antics and she picked up Pikachu and set him on her lap. "He still has no clue, typical Ash." She said to the yellow mouse as he was finishing waking up as well.

After the two got off the ship Dawn quickly dragged him into the shopping district of the Lilycove Docks. Ash could do nothing but follow the blue haired coordinator around as she ran in and out of nearly every shop in the city. It didn't take too long to lose her in the crowd.

"God where did that crazy girl run off to now? She cons me into becoming her guide as she contends in her contests here and then loses me while trying to window shop. I'll never understand girls Pikachu; they say one thing and do the opposite." He gave off a big sigh, "well the only thing to do is to try and find her I guess."

So Ash continued to wander around the city looking for the coordinator, but to no avail. Getting frustrated he started to walk back towards the docks hoping that she headed back to the ship to find him. As he rounded a corner he was greeted by a girl running straight into him. Being larger than her Ash was able to keep his balance, but the girl was less fortunate. As she started to fall Ash reflexively grabbed her wrist to keep her from falling. Pulling her back to her feet he was finally able to get a good look at this girl, and who he saw surprised him.

"I'm so sorry; I wasn't watching where I was going and I just…"

"May?" Ash interrupted the girl. She finally looked up at her rescuer, and sure enough it was May.

"Ash? Is it really you?"

"Is it really that hard to believe?" He joked.

"Oh Ash it's been such a long time!" May yelled as she quickly brought him into a hug. Ash started to blush at this sudden contact and apparently May noticed her actions at the same time as she backed away and turned away slightly trying to hide her own blush. "Sorry, it's just I wasn't…"

"Don't worry about it May, it has been a while after all." Ash said with a nervous laugh.

"Right, so how are you Pikachu? Has Ash been treating you well without me?" May asked the Pokèmon.

"Pika!" He said as he jumped onto May's shoulder and started to rub her cheek.

"I'll take that as a yes then." She said as a laugh escaped her.

"Well that was an interesting greeting, even from her. Wait a minute, what is she doing here anyways?"

"So May," he started, "what brings you to Lilycove? Did you come back to Hoenn to meet up with your family for a while?"

"Yep, after the Johto Grand Festival I decided that I should come back and visit my parents and Max, among other things." She replied

"Other things?"

"Ya I have something that I wanted to do while I was here, but let's not worry about that right now. So is Brock here?"

"Nope, he went back to Pewter City to help his brother manage the gym for the new trainer season."

"So you came alone?"

Ash could only sigh as he remembered the little con artist that tricked him into coming here. "Again no, apparently I'm Dawn's personal tour guide to Hoenn as she competes in the contests here."

"Oh come on, you can't be that mad about coming."

"Well it's not as bad now." Ash thought.

"No I guess its not." He admitted.

"See? So where is Dawn anyways?"

"That's a good question that I don't have the..."

"Hey Ash! May!" The two friends looked up to see the blue haired coordinator running down the street towards them.

"Hey Ash why did you leave me back there?" Dawn asked as she got close enough.

"Leave you behind? You're the one that left me in the dust; there was no way I could have kept track of which store you were running in and out if." Ash said while trying to hold back his annoyance.

"Whoops, sorry. But I guess there was no point either way, the stores around here don't have much in them. So May its nice to finally meet you in person." Dawn said as she reached out to shake hands with May.

"Likewise Dawn." May said as she returned the gesture. "So I hear that you are going to be taking on the contests here in Hoenn."

"Of course, and Ash is my personal guide to the many wonders that is Hoenn."

Once again Ash grumbled at hearing that, even if it was true. Both of the girls and Pikachu laughed at his reaction.

"Ya ya laugh it up, I was just the victim of uncontrollable circumstances." He said as he glared at the three of them.

"Calm down Ash you know we didn't mean anything bad from that. It's just that your reactions are so funny." May said while trying to control her laughter.

"I have to agree with May on that one, it is priceless." Dawn added.

"Whatever, so May you heading for Petalburg then?" Ash said trying to change the conversation topic.

"Actually I was wondering if I could travel with you guys for a while." May said with a little it of uncertainty.

"Of course you can May!" Dawn exclaimed. "Right Ash?"

"Why not? It can be just like the old days." He said with a smile.

"Thanks guys, but if it's shopping that Dawn wants the Lilycove Department Store is closer to the main portion of the city, about a days walk from the port."

"So we're going to be sleeping outside tonight? I guess the bed will have to wait." Dawn said to no one. May and Ash could only smile at their friend.

"Sorry Dawn, but it's the best way there. I have to grab my stuff from the Pokèmon Center and then we can leave so we can get a head start for tomorrow." May told them.

"Where is the Pokèmon Center?" Ash wondered aloud.

"It's on the other side of that park," May pointed to a small grove of trees, "it should only take a minute or so, come on!"

With that May started to walk back to the center with a big smile on her face. Ash and Dawn were soon following her as they walked through the park towards the Pokèmon Center.

"Hey guys I can see the Pokèmon Center. Bet I can beat you there!" May yelled as she started to run down the pathway, but after only a few yards she stopped and stared off into the bushes off the path.

"May what is it?" Ash called as he ran up.

"Shhh!" May shushed him. As he got close enough he could see what May was looking at, a reddish-brown Pokèmon with six tails was sleeping just off the path.

"It's a Vulpix" Ash whispered as Dawn caught up. May pulled out her Pokèdex to examine the creature, the little computer whirred for a moment and a small chime was heard indicating that it found a match.

"Vulpix, the fox Pokèmon. Inside Vulpix's body burns a flame that never goes out. During the daytime, when the temperatures rise, this Pokèmon releases flames from its mouth to prevent its body from growing too hot."

"Oh it's so cute!" May nearly yelled. "I'm going to capture it!" It seemed that May's compliment woke up the sleeping Pokèmon, as it got up and stared at the three trainers. May reached back into her pack to grab a Pokèball but she just then remembered something.

"Ahh! My Pokèmon are all at the Pokèmon Center! Aww, I really wanted it too." She pouted.

"Don't worry May, I'll get it for you. Pikachu lets go!" Ash said as he stepped in front of May.

"Pika." Pikachu jumped off of May's shoulder and stood battle ready before the Vulpix.

"Alright Pikachu lets start this off with a Thunderbolt."

"Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu let out a massive amount of electricity at the vulpine, just like his species were famous for. But the Vulpix easily dodged it and let lose a Flamethrower at Pikachu. Even if the Vulpix could dodge well, with all of his experience Pikachu was able to dodge it just as easily without wasting a step.

"I got it. Pikachu, get in close with Quick Attack!" Ash called out. Pikachu nodded its head and started to race towards the fox Pokèmon at blinding speeds, the Vulpix not knowing the trainer's plan had to think fast. As Pikachu came closer the Vulpix's eyes started to glow red and it let lose another fire attack, but his one was closer to several floating glowing spheres than a spout of flame. Pikachu was able to dodge the Will-o-Wisp attack easily and get right up next to Vulpix.

"Okay Pikachu, point blank Thunderbolt!" As the electricity flowed from the mouse it was too fast and too close for the Vulpix to avoid and it got the full force of the electrical discharge.

"Pokèball go!" Ash yelled as he threw the Pokèball at the temporarily paralyzed Pokèmon, the ball hit its mark and the Vulpix dematerialized into red energy and was sucked into the red and white sphere. For a few seconds the ball shook until it finally stopped and just sat there. Pikachu miniaturized the Pokèball and then put it in his mouth to bring it back to the trainer. But knowing what Ash had planned it jumped up onto May's shoulder and dropped the Pokèball into her hands.

"Wait a minute, didn't you catch this Ash? Why are you giving it to me?" May asked still staring at the Pokèball.

"Well you were the one who wanted it and it wouldn't have been fair if the reason you didn't get it was because your Pokèmon were getting healed." Ash said nonchalantly.

"Umm, thanks Ash." May said with a slight blush forming over her face.

"Anytime May, shall we get your stuff and head out?"

"Sure." May said still looking at the Pokèball as the group continued onto the center.

Well that's the first chapter. Hope everyone liked it. It's been a little while since the last time I wrote a fic so I'm just hoping its still on par with my other stories. Well please review and Happy Holidays to everyone.