Holiday Of Returns

(Ash's POV)

I sat in the living room of my cozy home in Pallet. I was now 15 years old. I was taking a break from my journey to share the holidays with my mom, who missed me. I stepped into the kitchen and found my mom making the usual feast.

"Hello, Ash. Dinner will be ready in a couple of hours. You can invite some of your friends, if you'd like." I watched her put the turkey in the oven. I smiled.

"Okay, Mom! Thanks!" I rushed into the other room, and sat in front of the screen. I pushed some numbers, then a deep voice came in the other end.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Brock!" I pushed another button, then my friend's face appeared on the screen. He smiled at me.

"Ash! Happy Thanksgiving!" he waved at me, I waved back.

"It's good to see you again! I was wondering if you'd want to come over. My mom's making a big feast, and I'd love for you to come." I told the man, but he frowned.

"Sorry, Ash. I have to stay in Pewter City to take care of my family. They'll starve without me." we laughed as he finished his last sentence.

"Well, that's too bad. It was great to see you, though." I smiled again.

"You, too, Ash. Have a great one. " he smiled, then the screen turned black. I frowned, but knew his family wanted to see him more than me. I smiled as I dialled another number. It rang a few times, then a female voice answered.

"Hello?" I recognized it immediately.

"Hello, Mrs. Maple." I pressed a button, revealing the woman's smiling face.

"Hello, Ash! Good to see you again!" she said cheerfully, then I noticed a man appear behind her.

"Did you say Ash?" he asked as he leaned behind the woman. He saw me, then smiled. "It's been a while, Ash!" he greeted.

"Hello, Norman! How's the gym doing?" I asked him.

"Ah, perfect! Max is becoming a great trainer, so I'm training him to take my place." Norman told me, I was happy for my friend.

"That's great to hear. By the way, are Max and May there? I would like to speak to them." the man nodded, then the woman disappeared. I heard her voice call to the children, and heard thumping. I heard her tell them who was on the phone, and their faces quickly appeared beside the man on the screen.

"Hey, Ash!" the 11 year old boy smiled to me. He still wore his glasses, but he had really grown since the last I saw him.

"Hi, Ash!" the 14 year old May gave her sweet smile, as always. Her hair was still in the red bandana, but she wore red lip-gloss and some girly thing for your cheeks.

"hey, guys! How you been?" I waved to them.

"We've been great! I'm going to be the gym leader soon!" Max said excitedly, then the man tapped on the boy's shoulder.

"Remember, you're in training." the man said, then he stood and walked off-screen. The kids were still smiling.

"So how have you been, Ash?" May asked me.

"I've been good. Just relaxing at home." I answered.

"Why did you call us?" Max asked.

"I was wondering if you'd like to visit me in Pallet. It`s getting lonely with me and my mom alone, plus she`s making a big dinner!" I told them.

"We'd love to visit, Ash! I've wanted to see you again!" May said excitedly, I noticed Max sigh.

"May, we're both excited to see him." Max reminded her, making her turn a light shade of red. I saw Norman and Caroline appear behind them.

"You're not travelling all the way to Kanto alone, kids. We'll go with you." Caroline said.

"Awww!" Max complained, making me laugh. I saw May giggle, too.

"Now, now. You may be responsible, but we don't trust you alone at your age." Norman said.

"You don't trust us!" Max stared at the man. Me and May laughed again.

"Well, Ash. Is there room for two adults on this trip?" Caroline leaned her head towards the screen.

"Of course! It'd be great to see you and Norman again!" I replied happily, flashing a thumbs-up.

"Great! We'll take the earliest ship to Kanto, then head for Pallet Town!" Norman said, making everyone cheer.

"Alright, see you here, then!" I waved to the family.

"Bye, Ash!" May quickly said before they disappeared. I laughed to myself, thinking of how Max reacted to Norman's statement. I shook the feeling away as I dialled the next number. Soon, a feminine voice came across the line again.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Misty!" I pressed the button, revealing the 17 year old girl with orange hair. I noticed it had grown a bit, and she let it flow down to her shoulders. She was wearing a blue tank-top.

"Hi, Ash! How you been?" she smiled.

"Good. I was wondering if you'd like to visit. My mom's making a big dinner." I told her.

"Wow, Ash! I'd love to come!" Misty replied happily.

"Is that your boyfriend on the line?" I heard a voice come from off-screen, Misty turned a deep red.

"He's not my boyfriend! Watch the pokemon!" Misty yelled, then faced me again. "I'm sorry about that." she rubbed her arm.

"No problem. See you here, then?" I asked her.

"You bet. I'll be there later tonight. Catch you, Ketchum." she winked as her face disappeared. I sighed, then cracked my knuckles. I never realized this would be hard! I pressed more numbers, then another feminine voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Ms. Berlitz." I pushed the button and saw the woman's face appear on-screen.

"Why, hello, Ash! I told you, call me Johanna." she smiled to me.

"Okay. Is Dawn there?" I asked her.

"Of course. Dawn, phone!" she called up the stairs, and I saw a pair of pink sneakers come down the steps.

"Who is- Ash!" the 13 year old jumped in front of the screen, startling me and Johanna. "It's great to see you!" she smiled cheerfully. I noticed she still wore her skirt, but it was now blue instead of black.

"Hey, Dawn. Great to see you, too." I replied.

"Is something wrong?" she asked me.

"No, nothing like that. I was wondering if you and your mother would like to visit us in Pallet. I know it's a long trip from Sinnoh, but my mom's making a big dinner and-" I started, but saw Johanna's hand go up.

"No need to explain, Ash. We just need to hear 'visit' and we're okay." Johanna said.

"Yeah! We'll be in Kanto tomorrow morning!" Dawn added, making me smile.

"Okay. See you tomorrow, then." I waved, then turned off the monitor. I smiled, then stepped into the kitchen for a break.

"Done already?" my mom asked me.

"No. Taking a break." I answered as I pulled out a glass of juice. I finished it quickly, then sat in front of the screen again. I dialled another number, then heard a boy's voice.

"Hello?"

"Ritchie!" I pressed the button and saw the boy's face. I noticed Sparky on his shoulder and waved to them. He saw me and smiled.

"Ash! It's been a while!" he said.

"I know. I was wondering if you'd like to visit in Pallet." I told him, making Sparky nod happily.

"Well, Sparky wants to. So I'm in, too. I'll be there tonight sometime. See you, Ash." he said, then the screen turned black. I smiled as I dialled the next number, then heard the masculine voice on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Reggie!" I said cheerfully as the man's face appeared.

"Ash! It's been too long!" he smiled back.

"Hey, is Paul there? I wanted to ask the both of you something." I said. He nodded, then disappeared from the screen. I heard him shouting Paul's name. Soon, Reggie appeared. Then Paul's face sat beside him.

"Hey, Ash. Haven't seen you since the sinnoh league." Paul said, showing a small smirk.

"It has, Paul. I was wondering if you two would like to come to Pallet Town for the holidays." I told them.

"I'm sorry, Ash. But I have to take care of some pokemon a trainer left me. They just had an egg and I can't leave it unsupervised. Paul will be there, though!" he put his hand on Paul's shoulder and smiled.

"I guess so. I don't have anything to do other than training. I guess I'll be there tomorrow." Paul said with another smirk. I waved to the two, who lifted their hands in response before the screen turned black. I smiled, seeing how Paul was smiling a lot more. I pushed more numbers, then a boy's voice came over the line. He sounded childish.

"Hey! What's the big idea, calling my poketch?"

"Barry, it's me." I sighed as I pressed the button, revealing the blonde's face.

"Oh, Ash! Tell me when you phone next time. I was this close to fining you!" Barry held up two fingers a small distance apart.

"Okay." I sighed. "I was just wondering if you'd like to visit me in Pallet." I told him.

"No can do, Ash. I have to train for my next gym battle! I have to go now!" He waved energetically.

"What region are you in?" I asked him.

"None of your business, that's where! Later!" his face disappeared, leaving me in confusion. I looked at the server location, but it displayed 'UNKNOWN'. I sighed, then dialled more numbers. I went on for about an hour, calling friend after friend, but they all seemed to be busy with family or training. I stepped into the kitchen and found my mom with salad.

"How many are coming, dear?" she asked me as she started tossing the leaves.

"Only a few. Everyon'e busy. The Maples are coming, Misty, Dawn and her mother, Ritchie, and Paul." I said as I sat down.

"I see." she said plainly, continuing with her food preparations. I went upstairs and found Pikachu sleeping on my bed.

"So this is where you've been, buddy." I sat down on the bed, stroking his fur gently. He yawned, then looked up at me. He smiled as he jumped on my shoulder. "Morning, buddy. What do you say to a walk?" Pikachu nodded happily, then I walked downstairs. I stepped out the door and headed down the path. I put my hands in my pockets as I walk with Pikachu on my shoulder.

"It's nice out here. Isn't it, Pikachu?" I turned to my best friend as the gently breeze stirred around. "It's been a while since we took a walk, hasn't it?" I asked him again, replied by a nod. I sat on a quiet hill, and watched the sunset. "Wow...I've never really seen it before...it's beautiful..." I said, stroking Pikachu under the chin. Pikachu cooed and we watched the sunset together. When it began to grow dark, I walked home. Pikachu had grown tired so I carried the sleeping mouse in my arms. When I got home, I was greeted by my mother.

"Ash, you shouldn't be out so late. You could have missed your friends." she put a hand on her hip as I stepped inside.

"Sorry. I guess I lost track of time." I rubbed the back of my head and smiled. Then, there was a knocking sound.

"You were very close, mister." my mom said as she opened the door. I looked past her to see a man in a white labcoat. Beside him was a younger boy in labcoat, and another boy with an orange t-shirt and green shorts.

"Gary! Tracey! Professor Oak, too! Come in, come in!" my mother stepped to the side and smiled as they stepped inside.

"Thank you, Ms. Ketchum." Tracey and Gary replied together.

"Ah, Ash! How have you been, my boy?" Professor Oak put his hand on my shoulder.

"Great, Professor. It's good to see you three again." I looked at the three smiling men. I heard another knock, so I set Pikachu on the couch and stepped past the boys to get to the door. My mom invited them into the kitchen, so the room was empty for more visitors. I opened the door to see a boy my height. He was wearing matching green pants and shirt, with two black lines down his chest and each leg. He had atop his head a green cap with a lightning bolt on it.

"Hey, Ash!" my old friend greeted me.

"Good to see you, Ritchie. Come on in, make yourself comfortable." I let him in, and he stepped into the kitchen after hearing the others. I smiled, then sat on the couch. I stroked Pikachu's fur as it slept peacefully. I heard the others in the kitchen laughing, having a friendly conversation. I heard anothe tapping noise, and figured it was Misty. I opened the door to feel myself pushed back, but luckily I didn't fall. I looked down to surprisingly see May, face in my chest and hugging me tightly. I looked up to see Max adjusting his glasses. Norman and Caroline were smiling behind him.

"Hello again, Ash." Caroline smiled to me.

"We should see each other more often, Ash." Norman joined his wife in smiling.

"Yes, I agree. Come on in." I waved my arm towards myself, gesturing them inside. They stepped inside and closed the door behind them. I smiled to them. Now, May had begun to loosen her grip. "Any chance of me actually seeing you, May?" I whispered into her ear. I felt my stomach expand as I breathed, and saw May take a step back. I noticed she was now wearing a blue blouse with a white pokeball design on her left. I saw her bandana had turned blue, and her sneakers were green.

"Did you find a great shop on the way?" I laughed, joined by Norman and Caroline. I noticed Max had froze up, but saw May with her hands on her hips.

"It was a great store." she replied, then smiled.

"Well, let's try the greeting again." I chuckled.

"Hi, Ash." she replied sweetly.

"Hello, May." I answered back to her. Norman and Caroline had stepped in the kitchen, while Max, may and I sat in the living room.

"How good of a trainer are you, Max?" I asked the boy.

"Awesome!" He pumped his fist in the air, then everyone laughed. I heard another knock, so I answered it. I opened the door and saw my orange-haired friend. I saw her hair blowing in the small breeze, wearing her blue top and yellow shorts. I smiled at her.

"Hello, Misty." I greeted her. I was takenback when she hugged me.

"Hi, Ash. We haven't seen each other in a while." she said as she pulled back.

"I've been gett that all day." I sighed. "Come on in, you're the last of the day." I stepped to the side to let her in. She looked around, then noticed May and Max.

"I was beaten here by people from Hoenn?" Misty asked me with a surprised tone.

"yes." I replied plainly.

"I didn't think I was going that slow." Misty said. May stood up and hugged the gym leader, then Max. "Have you remembered what we talked about on Mt. Moon?" Misty asked the boy.

"Yes, of course." Max replied.

"What? You never told me about that." May looked at the boy. Misty giggled as she stepped into the kitchen to join the older group. May, Ash and Max talked about Max's travels.

"So you saw the Kimono Girls' performance?" Ash asked him.

"Yes. I was surprised it was good." Max smirked, making May grab his ear.

"Are you saying dancing is boring?" she asked in a threatening tone.

"No! No! Please, let me go!" Max pleaded desperately, then his sister let go of him.

"Don't talk about dancing like that again." she glared at the boy.

"May, give him a break." I put my hand on her shoulder, making her look at me. She stared for a bit, then nodded. Max laughed quietly to himself, then my mom called for dinner. We ate the large feast until everyone was twice their normal size. Except Misty and Caroline, who tried to keep their figure. May, however, chowed down like me. my mom pulled out a sheet of paper.

"Alright, everyone! I made this arrangement for sleeping, so direct all complaints to me." my mom stated as she placed the paper on the table. Everyone looked at the sheet with curiosity, some having a bad feeling. Like me. And I was right.

"Why do I have to sleep outside?" I complained to her.

"Because you're used to travelling and can go without a bed for a few nights." she replied, taking a sip of tea. I sighed, then grabbed a sleeping bag from upstairs. I came back down to see Misty, Max, May, Tracey and Ritchie standing at the front door.

"What are you guys doing? You get to sleep on the floor inside." I said, looking at the group.

"We're going to join you outside." Tracey said.

"We gave Norman and Caroline the spare bed, and your mother gets her own. Professor Oak got the other spare bed, and Gary went back to the lab for the night. We didn't want to take the floor, so we decided to give you company." Misty added with a smile.

"You can't be out there alone." Max crossed his arms. I smiled, then everyone stepped outside with a sleeping bag in their hand. I felt something grab my hand, and turned to see May.

"What's up?" I asked her, but then she hugged me.

"You can't be out here alone." she whispered in my ear, then she pulled back and followed the others. I was confused, but followed. The others didn't know a good place, so I lead them to a small hill near my house.

"It's so cute up here!" Misty clapped her hands together, looking at the small are with the single tree.

"I used to come up here to think when I was little." I told them as I watched them lie their sleeping bags out. I realized there was going to be a little shortage of space on the ground.

"What now?" Ritchie asked as he looked at the five sleeping bags on the ground. I looked at the tree, then decided.

"I'll take treetop." I said as I climbed on a large branch in the tree.

"Ash! you can't sleep there!" I heard Max shout to me.

"Sure I can. Don't worry." I said as I lied down on the branch. Surprisingly, there was a lot of space for me to roll around on. I looked down to see everyone climbing in their bags, but May was looking up at me. She shook her head, then lied in her sleeping bag. I stared at her, then leaned back.

"Good night!" everyone said to each other, then fell into slumber.

END