After spending the night in Oldale Town, Ash and May finally arrived in Petalburg City around noon the following day.
“This is the Petalburg Gym!”
“Pikachu!”
“Ralts”
Standing before the impressive modern-style Gym building, Ash looked up with admiration.
Compared to many Gyms in Kanto and Johto, the Petalburg Gym possessed a calmer and more refined atmosphere.
It perfectly matched Norman’s reputation as a disciplined and powerful Trainer.
“Ash, I’ll go find my dad first!
You can wait inside for a bit!”
“Wait, May ”
Before Ash could finish speaking, May had already hurried off toward the interior of the Gym.
Ash blinked helplessly.
“Why is she suddenly in such a rush?”
“Pika pika.”
Even Pikachu tilted its head in confusion.
Carrying Ralts carefully in his arms, Ash walked into the Gym alongside Pikachu.
The interior of the Petalburg Gym was spacious and clean, with polished wooden floors and a professionally maintained battlefield at its center.
Ash slowly approached the arena while gently patting Ralts.
“Ralts…”
The little Pokémon buried itself timidly against his chest.
This was Ralts’ first time visiting a large city, and ever since they entered Petalburg, she had been unusually shy.
“Pika pika.”
Pikachu crossed its tiny arms and gave Ash a knowing look, almost like an old man lecturing a spoiled parent.
“You’re pampering her too much.”
Ash immediately laughed.
“Daughters are supposed to be spoiled a little, Pikachu.
You wouldn’t understand.”
“Pika?!”
Just then, a childish voice suddenly echoed from behind them.
“Who are you people?
Honestly, I was watching recordings of the Silver Conference…”
Ash turned around.
A boy wearing glasses stood nearby with a thick strategy guide tucked under his arm.
He had short dark hair and an intelligent but slightly smug expression.
Ash recognized him immediately.
Max May’s younger brother.
“So it’s you!”
Before Ash could even introduce himself, Max suddenly pointed excitedly.
“You’re Ash from Pallet Town!
The winner of the Johto Silver Conference!”
Ash smiled politely.
It seemed the newspapers Joshua had shown him at Professor Birch’s lab had spread farther than he expected.
People in Hoenn really did pay close attention to League tournaments.
“Wow!
Is that really a Ralts?
I’ve only seen them in books before!
And this Pikachu this is the Pikachu that defeated all those strong opponents in the Silver Conference, right?!”
Max rushed forward excitedly.
Without hesitation, he scooped Pikachu into his arms.
“My name’s Max!
Nice to meet you, Pikachu!”
“Pika…”
Pikachu’s ears twitched irritably.
If this had happened during Ash’s early Kanto journey, Pikachu would probably have shocked him instantly.
Clearly, Pikachu had matured considerably over the years.
Still, Ash could tell Pikachu disliked being treated so casually by strangers.
So he calmly reached over and rescued Pikachu from Max’s grip.
Meanwhile, Max’s attention had already shifted toward Ralts.
“She’s even cuter up close…”
Ash quietly moved Ralts onto his shoulder instead.
“Thanks for the compliment,” he replied calmly.
Honestly, he was already beginning to understand why May sometimes complained about her younger brother.
“By the way,” Max continued, “what’s the Johto Silver Conference champion doing at our Gym?”
“I’m here to challenge the Petalburg Gym Leader.”
“Hmph!”
Max adjusted his glasses proudly.
“Well, in that case, I am the Gym Leader ”
Thunk!
“Owww!”
Before he could finish, Ash flicked Max directly on the forehead.
Max instantly clutched his head with watery eyes.
“What was that for?!”
Ash crossed his arms seriously.
“According to Pokémon League regulations, impersonating a Gym Leader is a serious offense.”
Max froze.
“Y-you’re lying…”
Ash maintained a perfectly calm expression.
“You could get arrested by Officer Jenny for fraud.”
“I-I wasn’t serious…”
Max immediately shrank back.
Internally, Ash nearly laughed.
Of course he made that up.
But watching Max panic was surprisingly entertaining.
After living two lives, dealing with a mischievous kid like Max was easy.
At that moment, May suddenly poked her head out from a nearby hallway.
“Huh?
What are you two arguing about?”
A moment later, Norman and Caroline followed her into the room.
Both greeted Ash warmly.
“Welcome to the Petalburg Gym.”
“Please make yourself comfortable.”
Everyone soon gathered in the Gym’s lounge area.
May enthusiastically introduced everyone.
“Ash, this is my dad and mom and that’s my little brother, Max!”
Norman stepped forward first.
“Hello, Ash.
I’m Norman.
Welcome to our home.”
Standing beside him, Caroline smiled gently.
“I’m Caroline.
Thank you very much for looking after May during her journey.”
Judging from their expressions, May had already told them what happened on the road.
“You’re too kind,” Ash replied modestly.
“We were simply traveling in the same direction.”
His composed attitude caused Norman’s opinion of him to rise even further.
Caroline also looked pleased.
For some reason, though, Ash felt the way they were observing him was… slightly unusual.
His eyelid twitched instinctively.
Meanwhile, Max puffed out his chest proudly again.
“My dad is one of the strongest Gym Leaders in Hoenn!”
Norman immediately sighed.
“Max, don’t brag.”
Still, he soon looked back toward Ash.
“Regardless, we truly appreciate everything you’ve done for May.”
“With an experienced Trainer like you beside her, I’m sure she’ll learn a great deal.”
“Huh?!
Even Dad says that?”
May stared at Norman in disbelief.
Professor Birch had praised Ash earlier too, but hearing the same thing from her father surprised her even more.
“Sis, you seriously didn’t know?”
Max spread his hands dramatically.
“Ash is the Johto Silver Conference Champion!
People call him the strongest rookie Trainer in recent years!”
May froze for a moment.
Then her eyes widened.
“Wait… now I remember!”
“Our family watched the Silver Conference on television!”
She immediately pointed accusingly at Ash.
“That’s why you looked familiar!
Ash, why didn’t you tell me sooner?!”
Ash shrugged calmly.
“You never asked.”
May puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
Norman chuckled at the interaction before asking:
“So, May, which Pokémon did Professor Birch give you?”
“Yeah!
What starter did you pick?” Max added curiously.
May immediately brightened.
“Come out, Torchic!”
A flash of light appeared as Torchic landed proudly on the floor.
Max stared for a second.
Then his face visibly fell.
“Ah… Torchic?
I think Treecko would’ve been cooler.”
“Cha?!”
Torchic’s eyes instantly sharpened.
The tiny Fire-type launched itself directly at Max.
Peck!
Peck!
Peck!
“Aaaaah!
Stop pecking me!”
Max rolled across the floor miserably while Torchic relentlessly attacked him for insulting it.
Ash watched the scene with great amusement.
Honestly, Max deserved every hit.
Norman and Caroline exchanged helpless smiles but made no effort to save their son.
“You chose well,” Norman said approvingly.
“Torchic is an excellent Pokémon.”
“And very adorable too,” Caroline added warmly.
May immediately became smug.
“See?
I told you!”
Meanwhile, Max lay on the floor with tears in his eyes.
“I still think Treecko’s the best…”
“Chaaar!”
Torchic prepared to peck him again.
“WAHHH!
HELP!”
The entire room erupted into laughter.
Since Max had brought the suffering upon himself, even Norman ignored his cries for mercy.
Soon afterward, Norman and Caroline warmly invited Ash to join them for lunch at their family home behind the Gym.
Ash politely accepted.
Together with Pikachu, Ralts, May, and the still-traumatized Max, he followed the Norman family deeper into the Petalburg Gym residence.