"There it is, Pikachu!"
Ash had just jogged up the hill leading to a bright and bustling Solaceon Town. The smell of fresh flowers wafted in the air around him, and he was, for a moment, in bliss. He had always wanted to come back here to see his good friend and rival, Angie. She helped her parents run the Day-Care Center, and she had called Ash up there to visit for the weekend.
Ash had first met Angie at the Pokémon Summer Academy, where they were, at first fierce rivals. They were placed on the same team, but were still a little hot-headed toward one another. Later on, as they furthered into the other challenges of the Academy, led by Professor Rowan, they formed a tight bond. They were still competitive, but now, they were rivals in a healthy manner.
Ash just couldn't wait to see his friend again. They had kept in touch since that summer, but he really couldn't wait just to see her in full person.
"Ash, would you slow down?" questioned an exhausted Dawn who had just caught up with him. "I mean, the Day-Care will be there even if we take our time getting to it." In her arms, she held her Piplup, who made an expression saying that it agreed with its trainer.
While Dawn was panting, Brock came along side her, holding a very happy Happiny. "Dawn, you can't expect Ash just to calm down!" He had known Ash for quite a while now, and Ash was just going to go with his emotions and desires. "Besides, you can't blame him! After all, he is going to meet his girl-" Suddenly, Ash turned and slapped a hand across Brock's mouth. Brock struggled against the hand, but to no avail.
Brock had been told by Ash about his crush on Angie. He had spilt his guts out to Brock about the dreams that he had been having. Where Angie was there and they were just hanging out. Just the two of them. Ash just liked the way Angie looked, and laughed, and just the way she was always herself.
Ash had sworn Brock to secrecy, and although he knew Brock was just taunting him, Ash just wanted it all to be a secret. He wanted to be the one to tell Angie. Ash had thought of ways to do it, but he just ended up doing sappy romantic things. Like writing poems, and songs, and drawing them together in a field of flowers.
Anyway, Ash knew that if anything slipped over to Dawn, she would immediately try and get them together, try and cause scenarios to get them alone. He just did not want her meddling in this.
With a quizzical look from Dawn, Ash slowly dropped his hand so that Brock's mouth was free to breathe. Dawn had only heard Brock say girl and then nothing else. Curiosities suddenly overwhelmed her. What was with the two of them?
Pikachu then twitched its ear in the direction of the Day-Care. "Pika! Pi-pik-pi-pika!" The gang then turned to look down the hillside, which was swamped with beautiful tiger lilies, all an assortment of colors. Down the stretch of path was a single Shinx, just standing there, eying the trainers at the top.
"Pik-pi-pika-chu!" Cried Pikachu from the top of Ash's shoulder.
Something looked familiar about the Shinx to Ash, but he couldn't quite place his finger on where he had seen it before. He was sure it wasn't wild, because it looked to well kept. Could it be-
The Shinx must of heard the Electric type's cry, and Ash's thoughts, because the Spark Pokémon suddenly started prancing towards their direction. He sped up and leaped off of its hind legs, and landing in the middle of Ash's chest. The Shinx then began to give Ash a thorough licking on the cheeks.
"Pfff-haaaahhaaaaahaaa!" Bawled a very discombobulated Ash. The licks of the small Pokémon allowed tears to flow from the ticklish sensation.
"Shinx, get off of him!"
Immediately, the playful Shinx stood and turned to go towards the voice it had heard command it. Ash finnaly got his wits about him, stood up, and straightened his hat. The gang looked at the direction from where the commander of the Shinx had come from.
They all peered, and saw a figure standing there. Turquoise tee and dark emerald cargo pants. A blue spiky-headed girl was standing in the middle of the path, holding the blue Pokémon.
"Hey guys!" came the voice again, this time more welcoming, "Long time no see, am I right?"
