Separating with May and Max

Today was the gang's last time together. With the Terracotta Contest having ended, it was time for everyone to start getting back home. Now they were waiting for a boat so May and Max could return to Hoenn.

Right now they were having one final picnic together in the park and they released their Pokemon. Ash had Pikachu, Sceptile, two Aipom, Donphan and Vigoroth. May had her Blaziken, Munchlax, Eevee, Squirtle and Butterfree. Brock had his Marshtomp, Bonsly, Nosepass and Forretress. Tomo had Growlithe, Pidgey, Natu, Ponyta, Poliwhirl and Teddiursa. Max had one of his Loudred, Ralts, Ditto and his newly captured Aipom, which he caught before they left Fennel Town. All of the Pokemon were chowing down on Brock's Pokemon food.

During lunch May made an announcement.

"Everyone I have decided that I will go to Johto and compete in the contests there like Drew and Solidad." She said. "But I wish to go to Johto alone."

She turned to Max.

"I'm sorry Max, but you can't come on a journey with me this time. If you I will end up asking you for support and help. I want to travel on my own to learn to be more independent, catch new Pokemon friends, find my own battling style and try out new tricks with all my Pokemon. That's why I want to go on a new journey on my own."

Ash, Tomo and Brock nodded in understanding. But Max felt upset; he wanted to go on another Pokemon journey, but he wasn't ten yet he couldn't. Max left the others to be on his own for a bit. Ash went to follow Max to cheer him up.

Max was sitting on a swing when Ash caught up to him.

"Upset that you aren't going to Johto with May?" He asked.

"Yes." Max answered. "And to be honest I've been jealous of you and May. You and May get to compete in battles, contests and tournaments, but I don't get to do any of those because I'm still only nine years old."

"It's true it's tough you have to wait until you're ten years old to be a real Pokemon trainer because I didn't like it when I had to wait until I was ten years old." Ash admitted. "But you only have one more year and then you'll be doing plenty of things with your own Pokemon. How about this? Why don't you and I have a Pokemon battle now? Think of this as a farewell gift."

Max liked this idea and so did the others.

So Max and Ash had their last Pokemon battle together. Max used his Loudred and Ash used his Vigoroth. Vigoroth started off with Scratch and Loudred used Mega Punch. This was cheering Max up because he was battling with Ash, which he hadn't done for a long time. Vigoroth and Loudred put up a good fight with each other. Then suddenly Loudred glowed and evolved into an Exploud.

"Cool I now have an Exploud!" Max cheered.

Tomo looked Exploud up on the Pokedex.

"Exploud, the Loud Noise Pokemon and the evolved form of Loudred. Exploud triggers earthquakes with the tremors it creates by bellowing. If this Pokemon violently inhales from the ports on it's body, it's a sign that it's preparing to let loose a huge bellow."

Loudred evolving into Exploud meant that now Max had a Whismur, Loudred and Exploud. Ash and Max decided to call their battle a draw and stopped it. Max was happy with the battle as well as getting an Exploud.

"Thank you Ash." Max said. "Best goodbye present ever."

"So what will you be doing when you get home Max?" Brock asked.

"I'll be having dad teach me about being a gym leader." Max answered. "And then when I turn ten I'll work hard and go on a journey to make myself and all my Pokemon strong. And once I've grown up I will become the new gym leader of Petalburg City."

May then realized the boat for Hoenn would be coming soon. Everyone picked up all their things and food and returned all their Pokemon except Growlithe. Brock made packed lunches for May and Max for their journey home. Soon the boat had come and now it was time for May and Max to leave Kanto. Ash, Brock and Tomo said their goodbyes to May and Max, wished May lots of luck in the Johto contests and wished Max lots of luck learning how to take care of Norman's gym. Max and May said their goodbyes to Ash, Brock and Tomo. While the boat was leaving the gang waved to each other until May and Max were out of sight. That was the last time May and Max would ever travel with Ash, Tomo and Brock.

"Well they're gone." Brock said.

"Yeah." Ash said.

It felt just like yesterday that the second Kanto journey started.

"Well we better get going too. Tomo and I need to get back to Pallet Town."

"And I need to head back to Pewter City." Brock said.

Ash, Tomo and Brock came to a route with a sign post. One sign showed Pewter City to the right and the left showed Pallet Town.

"Well Brock it was nice traveling with you again." Ash said.

"I hope we'll get to travel with you again soon." Tomo added.

"It was a great adventure." Brock replied.

The brothers said goodbye to Brock and headed towards Pallet Town while he headed towards Pewter City.

So Ash and Tomo were walking back to Pallet Town alone again.

"We'll soon be home again and back to our mom Tomo." Ash said.

"I take it we'll be going to the Sinnoh Region next?" Tomo asked.

"We will, but not just yet." Ash said. "There's something important I need to do first."

"What is it?" Tomo asked again.

Before Ash could answer there was a blast of electricity in the sky.

"It looks like a electric type Pokemon is in trouble." Ash said. "Let's go."

The brothers and their Pokemon ran to find out what was going on.

It was Team Rocket. They had caught an Electivire in a net. The net was electric proof and Electivire couldn't use it's electric type attacks to get out. Ash and Tomo were angry and were about to command Pikachu and Growlithe to help Electivire. But their help was not needed. That Electivire belonged to Gary and he just showed up. Ash and Tomo were surprised to see him.

"Electivire, Iron Tail." Gary said.

Electivire broke the net with Iron Tail and freed itself, then sent Team Rocket flying with Thunder Punch.

"Those three will never learn that they can't beat us." Ash muttered.

Gary was surprised to see Ash and Tomo.

"What are you doing here Gary?" Ash asked. "I thought you were doing research in Sinnoh."

"I was, but I came back to see Grandpa and tell him what I have been researching so far." Gary answered.

Tomo looked at Electivire and opened his Pokedex.

"Electivire, the Thunderbolt Pokemon and the evolved form of Electabuzz. It pushes the tips of it's two tails against the foe, then lets lose with 20,000 volts of power."

"Wow so my Electabuzz will evolve into that huh." Tomo said.

"That's right Tomo." Gary remarked. "And there are many cool Pokemon in Sinnoh. Come over to the lab and I will tell you about it."

The brothers agreed that they would, but they wanted to see their mom first. Gary said goodbye to them and told the two he will be waiting for their arrival.

Ash and Tomo knew that there were a lot of stories to tell and share once they got back to Pallet Town.