Stranded in Petalburg

Chapter 4: Hoenn Hospitality

Chapter 4: Hoenn Hospitality

Ash Ketchum and May Maple's footsteps could be heard as they trudged through the wet and empty streets of Petalburg City, illuminated by moon and streetlight. An earthy scent of petrichor from the previous rain filled the air as the duo approached May's house in the night. The moon shone down upon every surface of Petalburg City, and emphasized the time, as not a soul other than Ash and May could be seen out. Pikachu was very exhausted at this point, so he shut himself in Ash's backpack for until they reached May's house.

Ash took a moment to take in how much the city had developed in the few years he had last been there. New buildings had appeared on every block, and the city followed a much more modernistic, urban plan than Ash had originally recalled. It was clear the city had pushed to uphold a balance between nature and the man-made buildings that had taken its place. Small trees and greenery were visible on every street and corner. Ash could see advertisements for different brands, businesses, and services on every window. There must be a reason for the city's sudden eruption in development, and Ash made a note to figure that out later.

At some point in their commute, they had stopped holding hands, and both were too nervous to start again. Ash wasn't quite sure why he was nervous, and neither was May. They were just friends after all? May was just leading him to her house, right? Ash looked over at May as they walked and appreciated her features. The moonlight shone down upon her near flawless skin, and Ash's heart throbbed at the sight of her sapphire eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

Ash looked forward and thought, 'Why am I looking at her that way? May is just my friend. It's been years since we've seen each other, we're not interested in each other like that. I've just got to try and stop myself from looking at her that way.'

May sensed a pair of eyes observing her, and turned over to Ash, though he was already staring forward again. She took a second to admire his growth. He now stood about a foot taller than her, and his broad shoulders could intimidate a machoke. His chocolate-brown eyes filled with care and compassion stare forward into the streetlight filled city. She could sense something bothering him and it was clearly occupying his thoughts.

"Are you alright, Ash?" May asked, tilting her head at him.

Ash broke from his thoughts and turned to May. The sight of her staring innocently at him instantly removed his ability to speak. Arceus, why is he acting this way? There was a moment of silence before he came up with an excuse, "Yeah, sorry, I'm just kind of cold is all."

"Are you sure, Ash? You can talk to me about anything, you know." she responded, doing her best to put care into her tone.

"Yeah, don't worry, May. I'm fine, just my clothes still being pretty wet doesn't help much with the temperature." Ash replied.

Even after so many years, May knew Ash well, and there was something he didn't wanna talk about. She wasn't going to pry though, "Well we're gonna need to get you some new clothes tomorrow, alright?" she said.

"Yeah, that's a good idea, May." He responded.

There lay a barrier of tension between the duo as they left behind the urban part of the city and entered the suburban section. May could see the front door of her house in the distance, and she grabbed Ash's hand, "Come on, Ash, we're almost there." May spoke, quickening her pace towards the house..

May's house was a sizable home with plenty of space. It was on top of a small hill, and surrounded by a neighborhood of other houses of similar size. A concrete path led up to the front door of the house. A light could be seen illuminating the inside of the home through a window next to the front door. Though curtains masked whatever was going on inside.