Man in the Mirror

Chapter 18: Who Is It?

"No surprise, you made it to the final. Blaziken was on par with Sceptile, and neither of us was giving in. The match was so close that we tied in the end," Ash recounted to May.

"How about that? Impressive, Ash," May winked and giggled. Their lighthearted conversation made them oblivious to the trek back from the forest.

Ash chuckled at her. "It was an exciting battle, but they only had one ribbon." He had a vivid image of the memory.

"So you had Sceptile slice it in half with Leaf Blade, and we split it!" May interjected.

Her friend raised an eyebrow. "You remember that?"

May nodded sideways. "No, but that's what I would've done. That's what I thought I did with Blaziken in my memories, so it felt obvious," the coordinator admitted.

Ash smiled. She almost raised his

hopes about her memory with that remark, but he hid the disappointment. "You're right. We did split it. It was the right thing to do. We both knew it," the trainer nodded.

May's smile turned sheepish. "That sounds like a great memory, Ash. It almost sounds romantic," the girl looked away to hide her blush. She twirled her hair with her finger. Why did I say that?

"Romantic?" Ash was puzzled. He tried to look at May's face without realizing that she was trying to hide her blush.

"Ah! Nevermind!" May became more flustered when Ash tried to peek at her face. She turned away more. The girl cursed her big mouth and Ash's lack of awareness.

Ash put his hands behind his head. "If you say so," the trainer stared at the night sky. He noticed the cabin was in sight.

"Pika!" Pikachu raced to Ash with Wartortle close behind.

Ash opened his arms

to receive Pikachu when the mouse lunged at him. "We're back, buddy," the mouse was relieved to be reunited with his best friend.

"Wartortle war!" Wartortle ran to hug May's leg.

May forgot about the awkward moment she caused and rubbed the top of Wartortle's head. "Hey, Wartortle. Sorry for worrying you earlier. I won't do that again," she assured him.

"Pikapi pika!" Pikachu asked his best friend what had taken them so long.

Ash rubbed the back of his head, "We ended up running farther away from the cabin than I thought. I'm sorry, too, pal."

"Don't be sorry, Ash. It was my fault. You can blame me, Pikachu," May scratched Pikachu behind the ear. She gave the Electric-type a soft stare.

Ash set Pikachu down. He put his hands on his waist, "The important thing is that everything worked out for the best." The trainer hinted at the good news.

"Chu?" the mouse raised an eyebrow. He tried to read Ash's face.

"Tortle?" Wartortle also wanted to know what the trainers had in mind.

May kneeled to Wartortle's eye level. "Ash showed me his half of the Terracotta Ribbon. I know how I got my half of the ribbon. I still can't remember our time together, but now I know he's telling the truth. We did journey together," the brunette smiled at the two Pokemon.

Ash made a fist. His smile grew, "Yep! We'll also work toward becoming good buds just like old times." His declaration elated Pikachu and Wartortle.

Pikachu's eyes glimmered. "Pika...pikachu!" Pikachu felt the emotions of relief and joy reflected in Ash's eyes. It was about time.