It had been five days since the end of the Sinnoh league, and Ash was travelling back to Twinleaf town to drop off Dawn. The trees anlong the side of the path shaded him from the sun as he strolled on the path with his trusted partners. Ash had recently competed in the Sinnoh league and was contemplating what had happened. The exciting events of those past days were now behind him as he continued in his journey as a pokemon trainer.
"Argh, I was so close," Ash moaned, "just a little more and I would have won. I know my pokemon tried their hardest, but I wish I could have given that little bit more."
"Come on, I mean, a draw against Cynthia is awesome against anybody's standards," Dawn replied
"And remember, Paul challenged you the next day and you won by miles, you have to be happy about that. Losing none of your pokemon and defeating all six of his sure was amazing," Brock added.
The mention of Paul's defeat did bring a smile to Ash's face while he walked along Route 210. He thought of all his pokemon who had been with him though his journey in Sinnoh and how they had grown with him during this time. He had gained so much experience in his travels through Sinnoh, and as he kept going along the path he remembered how he had enjoyed it all.
"I sure am happy about that, but… he didn't do his best, something was wrong when we battled; he seemed, agitated," he paused, "but anyway, thanks everyone, for everything," said Ash.
About one hundred yards way, Team Rocket were hiding in some bushes, spying on the group that they had followed throughout all of Sinnoh.
"So, what's the plan today Meowth?"
"I don't know Jessie, the twerps just did a whole lot, and I don't know if we should really try anything today," James said quietly.
"He kinda has a point y'know" added Meowth.
"WHAT? A perfect chance to steal Pikachu and you just let it pass by? You two are just softies aren't you?" shouted Jessie, clearly infuriated by her partners.
"If someone attacked you after a bad hair day, you wouldn't be too happy, would you?" James stated.
Suddenly, Jessie fell quiet, as if someone had just explained hell to her. James and Meowth waited nervously to see what Jessie would now say.
"I guess you're right," she whispered, still dazed by the comment, "let's leave them be for now."
James and Meowth let out a sigh of relief as they watched 'the twerps' walk off into the distance, instead of blasting off like they normally do.
The trio of trainers had decided to return Dawn home first. After narrowly losing to Zoey in the Grand Festival, she had wanted to return home to see her mother before either moving on or waiting for the next festival. Her defeat, albeit narrow had only made her stronger and more determined than ever. Although before she would return home, Ash had been invited by Angie's parents to a celebration at the Day care Centre in Solaceon town, where a certain young trainer was about to get a huge shock.
"What? Ash is coming here and you didn't tell me?" Angie said, with a tone of shock.
"We invited him just after his Sinnoh League challenge, and you never asked about it," Angie's mother replied
"We thought that he would like to celebrate here so we invited him. He should be arriving any day now." Angie's father added, quite amused by his daughter's reaction to the situation.
"Mom… Dad…" said Angie, a look of terror appeared in her eyes.
Angie started to panic. 'He'll be arriving any day now, but what could we talk about?' she thought. 'Sure we could talk about his league challenge, but then what? Will he want to talk about it? Why is this happening now? All this time and I only have one day. If only I had more time. Dialga, please, help me out here.'
"Shinx shinx?" the little pokemon beside her asked.
"Don't worry Shinx, I'll be fine."
Angie proceeded to go to her room, her mind filled with a plethora of worries and concerns. She had always wanted him to return, but a little more notice would have been nice. She closed the door behind her and jumped onto her bed with Shinx following her.
"Oh Shinx," she sighed, "It's pretty obvious that me and Ash are friends now, but can he see more than that in me? I mean, I can still remember the time where he saved me from that creepy girl."
"Shinx," agreed Shinx as Angie shuddered.
"He said that he would never let go, even if it meant forever. Forever. Ash is special for sure, but was his reason behind saying that just because we were friends?" Angie stared at the ceiling with thoughtful eyes, for what awaited her the next day, she couldn't tell.
Ash and friends soon arrived at a pokemon centre, the last one before reaching Solaceon town. As they drew close, Brock looked up at the sky. Stars were starting to appear, illuminating the dark blue above
"It's getting quite dark now; it looks like we'll have to stay here for the night so we can get to Solaceon town tomorrow."
"Aww man…" Ash groaned.
"What's the rush? We don't need to get there for any reason, so why the long face?" asked Dawn.
"I don't know, I was just, looking forward to seeing Angie again."
"No need to worry, we'll leave early tomorrow so we can get there by at least midday, is that okay with you Brock?"
"Sure, but make sure you two hold true to your part of the deal okay?"
"Count on it!" Ash replied.
Later on, Ash was getting ready for bed, but not actually changing so as to get a head start on the next day. As he was about to sit down, Pikachu ran up to him and jumped onto his shoulder.
"Pika pika, pika pi chu ka-pi pika?"
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to tomorrow, I just can't wait," Ash stated as he sat down, "it's been too long since I last saw Angie. I wonder if Dialga could help speed up time." Ash sighed as he finished preparing his bag for the next day and put it aside.
"Pikachu, ka-chu pika ka?" asked Pikachu
"Do I like Angie? Well of course, she is my friend you know Pikachu," Ash answered confusedly.
"Pika…" said Pikachu, obviously not amused by this answer.
"Well," yawned Ash, "I should get some rest so I can walk there faster tomorrow. Good-night Pikachu." Ash said as he lay down, yawning.
"Pika pi," replied pikachu as they both fell asleep.
Little did they know that the young girl they were going to meet was not having an early night like them.
Angie was now sitting by a lake, with a sky filled with stars above her, and the shimmering water of the lake in front. The wind passed softly through her hair, and did not disturb the peace of the lake. With her was her faithful companion, Shinx, who now had turned to its trainer, concerned for her feelings.
"Shinx, shinx shinx."
"Thanks Shinx, but I guess tomorrow has to come doesn't it? It looks like Ash will arrive tomorrow and that's settled." A small smile appeared on Angie's face as she looked up to the stars, "I'm… I'm so happy that Ash is coming here. I've never really though about it before but… do you think destiny exists Shinx?"
Shinx just looked on at its trainer, caringly.
"I just wonder you know. I've always lived life at the centre tackling things head on, but this feels, different. But why?"
Shinx proceeded to jump into Angie's lap, "Shinx, shinx shinx shinx."
"Thanks Shinx, thanks."
As they looked on, a shining object appeared in the night sky, glowing brightly as it went. While it was doing so, Angie closed her eyes and made a wish.
