Natsui and May arrived at Professor Oak's Research Lab in Pallet Town. It was the next morning. They were tired from traveling.
They had traveled quickly day and night after Max called them on the phone. They still had to sleep outside in the wild for one night. Even so, Natsui did not ride Dragonite. It seemed he did not want to rely on help unless he really needed it.
Fortunately, May was used to sleeping outdoors because she had traveled with Ash. She did not find it hard at all.
She even believed that traveling like this was good for her mind and body.
However, she felt shy about one thing. Ash and the others used sleeping bags. But she and Natsui slept in one tent!
She felt a bit embarrassed to be alone in a tent with a man. But sleeping in a tent felt different from sleeping outside. At least she did not have to worry about the wind or rain. It also felt warm.
She was too nervous to sleep during the first half of the night. But once she fell asleep in the second half, she felt refreshed. When she woke up, it felt like staying in a hotel. Most of her tiredness from the day was gone.
Natsui walked up the small hill and the steps. He knocked on the door of Professor Oak's Research Lab.
Before long, they heard the sound of footsteps from inside. A second later, the door opened. Max looked out with a big smile.
"Sister! Natsui! You're finally here!"
May put her hands on her hips. She looked at her brother. "What exactly is going on? Why are you here?"
Yesterday on the phone, they did not talk for long. Max had not explained why he came to Kanto. Now that they were meeting, she wanted to ask him.
"Heh." Max rubbed his nose. He looked proud. "If you can come to Kanto, why can't I? Hmph, since you didn't bring me, I naturally came here with Professor Birch!"
At that moment, Tracey walked over from another room. They had not seen him for a long time!
Tracey had stayed at Professor Oak's lab after he finished his journey with Ash. Now he was one of the professor's assistants!
Tracey and Max looked like a good match together.
Tracey was a Pokémon Watcher. It seemed Max could become one too!
"Natsui, long time no see." Tracey smiled when he saw Natsui. "Congratulations on winning the championship in Hoenn. I watched your matches on TV. They were really exciting!"
Natsui talked with him for a while. He introduced May to him. Tracey told May why Max was there.
Actually, Max felt lonely after he went home. Ash and Brock had returned to Kanto. Even his sister had gone there with Misty. He was the only one left from the team.
He talked about it with Norman and Caroline for a long time. But they would not let Max travel to Kanto alone. Then Professor Birch visited. Max heard that Birch was going to Professor Oak's lab. He was very happy and followed him here.
"Honestly, I can't get rid of you no matter where I go. If I knew you would be so stubborn about coming, I would have just brought you with us from the start." May shook her head.
"I wouldn't have come with you guys." Max turned his head away. "With that mean sister around, I wouldn't travel with you. By the way, where is she?"
The "mean sister" was Misty. Max was not afraid of May, but he was afraid of Misty.
May knew what Max was thinking. She giggled. "Her? She already went home to take over the Gym. Right now, it's just me and Natsui traveling together."
May added, "Of course, we video call basically every day. If you want to see her, you can see her every day!"
Max's face fell. He did not want to see Misty every day.
"Hmph, I don't want to see her at all."
In the anime, Max and Misty were friends. But here, they met often. He saw her bossy personality. He even saw her hit Drew. So he was afraid of her.
Misty had left a scary memory in Max's heart. He now knew the scary side of women!
Ash and Professor Oak walked over from another room. Everyone talked politely.
"Natsui, you came so slowly." Ash laughed. "If I didn't know you were coming, I would have left yesterday! By the way, have you started challenging the Battle Frontier yet?"
Natsui took two shiny Symbols from his jacket. He showed them to Ash. "Challenging? During the few days you were resting at home, I already got two of them!"
"What!!? You're already that fast!?" Ash was shocked.
Ash did not expect this. He had only stayed home for two days. How could Natsui be so fast?
Natsui shook his head.
"No need to worry. The reason I'm rushing is that I need to go to Johto in a few days. I expect that by the time you collect all the Symbols, I will have just returned from Johto."
Ash felt better after hearing this.
He did not want to compete with Natsui. He just did not want to fall behind. Natsui was the person he wanted to beat!
Natsui did not forget his purpose. He looked at Professor Oak.
"Professor Oak, could you please give May a starter Pokémon?"
Everyone was surprised except Professor Oak. May did not expect Natsui to ask for a Pokémon for her!
"Natsui, I..."
May was about to speak, but Natsui looked at her. He told her to stay calm. She did not say anything else.
"Do you want a Kanto starter Pokémon?" Professor Oak nodded. "Of course you can. My job is to give out Pokémon to new Trainers. May has been traveling, but she is new to Kanto. So she counts as a newcomer!"
"Eh?" Max laughed. "Professor, according to what you said, wouldn't Natsui also count as a newcomer when he reaches a new region? A newcomer Trainer holding three regional championships... just thinking about it is scary!"
Everyone laughed at the joke.
However, Ash stopped laughing.
He wondered when he would be as good as Natsui.
Professor Oak led the group to his research room. The Poké Balls for the starter Pokémon were there. May had to choose one.
It seemed like a special meeting.
A light-blue turtle Pokémon ran out of the room. It hit May's leg.
Professor Birch followed it. He was running and breathing hard!
This Pokémon was Squirtle. It was a Kanto starter. It ran too fast and did not see the path. It fell on its back. It tried to get up, but its shell made it hard.
May was surprised. She picked up Squirtle. She looked at Birch.
"Professor Birch, what's wrong?"
"It's May? When did you get here?" Birch took a deep breath. "I was looking at the three starter Pokémon, but this Squirtle suddenly ran out."
"It ran out again?" Tracey shook his head. "How many times has it been this month? But it must have been startled. It's actually very timid. A little bit of excitement makes it run around wildly. We've been having a headache over this for a long time. We wanted to change this personality but haven't been able to."
May looked down. Squirtle was holding onto her. It was tearing up a little. It looked very pitiful.
May did not mind. She held Squirtle and followed the others into the room.
Natsui saw three Poké Balls on a machine. Two were closed. One was open. Squirtle was the one from that Poké Ball.
Professor Oak asked, "Counting the one in your arms, there are also Charmander and Bulbasaur in the Poké Balls. I wonder which one you want?"
May wanted to put Squirtle down so she could choose. But Squirtle would not let go.
Max tried to help, but Squirtle hid in its shell.
Ash said, "It looks like this Squirtle really likes May."
Everyone could see it. The little Pokémon felt safe with May.
"Then what should I do?" May was helpless.
"Why don't you just choose it?" Natsui said calmly. "Since you have to choose anyway, and since this Squirtle won't come down, just take it with you. And personally, I highly recommend that you choose it."
May thought about Natsui's words.
She did not know Squirtle well yet. But she trusted Natsui. He always had a reason for what he said. He must know something!
Natsui looked at her encouragingly. May did not hesitate anymore. She nodded.
"Okay, I'll choose it!"
Natsui was happy. May got Squirtle just like in the anime.
He could have helped her catch a stronger Pokémon.
But he did not want them to miss each other. He was glad he brought her here.
Now that this was finished, he had no reason to stay. But he would wait until after lunch to leave.
The lab was very lively with Natsui and May there.
By noon, Ash's mother, Delia, made a big lunch at the lab.
During the meal, Natsui said he was going to leave.
Ash agreed immediately.
"That's right, it's time to set off!" Ash was excited because of Natsui's Symbols. "I'm going to start a new adventure too. Whether it's me or Pikachu, we are both ready!"
"I'll go with you too!"
Max stood up. He chose to travel with Ash instead of his sister!
"Eh?"
Ash was surprised, but he nodded.
Max had been his partner in Hoenn. It was good to have him.
However, Delia was worried about the two boys.
"Neither of you knows how to take care of yourselves. Is it really okay with just the two of you?"
A voice came from outside the door.
"Then count me in as well!"
Ash turned around. He saw Brock with his backpack!
"Brock!?" He ran to meet him. "Why are you here too!?"
"To continue the adventure with you, of course." Brock smiled. "It seems my timing was perfect!"