Man in the Mirror

Chapter 9: Will You Be There?

He admired his Terracotta Ribbon. The centerpiece's shine reflected in his eyes. Pikachu looked at the ribbon, then at the building before them. Ash followed Pikachu's gaze. They stood before May's home, the Petalburg City Gym. Ash smiled before putting away his ribbon. "I wonder if anyone is home, pal," he approached the door.

Unsure of what to expect, the boy rang the doorbell. No one answered. "Pika," Pikachu looked disappointed. Ash scratched the back of his head. Just as he prepared to ring again, someone came. The door opened, revealing an older woman whose eyes focused on a book. She was a familiar sight. Ash and Pikachu's faces brightened upon recognizing her, "I'm sorry, my husband's taking the day off today. Please, come back for a badge tomorrow." Her daughter resembled her so much now that she had grown up.

"But I already have this gym's badge," Ash crossed his arms with a chuckle.

"Then why-" the woman shifted her attention from the book to her guest, A-Ash!" Caroline thought her eyes deceived her. The boy she once entrusted her children with was standing before her.

"Who's at the door, dear?" Norman joined Caroline at the door. He downplayed his surprise with a calm smile, "Well, look who it is!" The Gym Leader put his hands on his waist. Ash was a sight for sore eyes.

Ash waved. He was just as delighted to see them. "Hi there!"

"Pikachu pi!" Pikachu also greeted the parents.

"Come in, come in. Let's talk inside," Caroline invited them, getting a warm thank you from the dynamic duo.

"Hey, Mom, Dad, what's all the commotion? I heard someone ringing the doorbell. Is someone haggling again?" Max entered the living room with a puzzled face, but his disposition changed when he saw two familiar faces sitting on his couch.

Ash and Pikachu snickered at the witty younger sibling. "Hey Max, long time no see," the trainer beamed.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu leaped off Ash's shoulder and ran to the boy.

"Ash, Pikachu!" Max's eyes illuminated with joy. Pikachu jumped into Max's arms. "It's been so long," Max chuckled as he rubbed his cheek against Pikachu, making the mouse coo.

"It has been," Ash admitted his long absence.

"Would you like something to drink, Ash?" Caroline offered him.

"Sure, water would be good. Thank you," Ash nodded at her. The mother immediately returned with a glass of water to hand him.

"Have whatever you'd like, Ash. Our home is your home," Norman expressed his kind hospitality.

Ash thanked the father of May and Max as he made room for Max and Pikachu to join him on the sofa. However, he couldn't help but wonder if May was around.

"Ash, it's such a pleasant surprise to have you here. It's been some time," Caroline got Ash's attention once she spoke.

"Yeah, we thought you might've forgotten about us," Max chuckled as he scratched Pikachu behind its ear.

Ash knew that one was coming. "Aw, come on, Max. You know I would never let that happen."

"What have you been up to, Ash? How have you been?" Max wanted to get up to speed on the person he admired, second only to his father.

"Let's see, I returned from the Kalos League about a month ago," Ash informed them.

"The Kalos region? You've been traveling far," Norman replied with interest.

"Yep, I competed in the league there and got second place," Ash humbly admitted.

"Well, if I'd been out there, I would've done things with Greninja differently. Maybe I could've won," Max criticized the boy as he pushed his glasses up, making his lens glare.