February 3rd- Chapter 2 /tüh-hoo/; n, pl, stry chptr nme:
It might have been just the perfect night. Not much of a peculiar evening to be quite honest. Years had passed since his original departure from Kanto. Ash Ketchum had matured so much during that time; new found goals and new found interests. Her friendship, possessions and memories they had shared had reminded with him every day. He couldn't hold it in anymore, he had to tell her how he felt about her. Miraculously, perhaps she felt the same way as he did at the moment.
He stood now, just out of reach from the light of his campfire. With the tips of his fingers, he lightly held the brim of his hat. A small grin was built on his face. Every now and then, he took some time off to himself, away from the anxiety and distress his battles sometimes provided. No peculiar thing was on his mind at the moment. The realm of sub conscious thoughts that at times plagued his imagination were anything but horrid right now. A fantastic mood stood poised on his shoulders. In other words, nothing could upset him now. Despite the ambiance and persistence of those thoughts, it couldn't be done.
Ash brushed back his hair with the palm of his hand and placed his hat back on his head. He turned the brim backwards slightly towards his ear. The wind blew calmly through the protruding ends of hair that hung from the bottom of his hat. He uncaringly placed his hands in his jeans pockets. His mind was set on finding something in there. Something obvious and yet at the same time he knew that his mannerisms were odd. Distraught over not finding what he wanted, he turned away, gently kicking the tree on which he was leaning on.
Ash walked back toward the campsite, the lingering thoughts still clouded his mind. Against his thigh, he felt his fingers moving ever so slightly on their own, searching for what they still longed to find in the emptiness of his pocket. The wind blew harder against him as he walked faster. His hat balanced now on the top of his head, his fingers persistently continued searching. Ash closed his eyes hoping to shield off the incoming breeze but instead he managed to find just exactly what he was looking for, what he wanted, and what he had forgotten wasn't in his pocket.
His contemplative frame of mind was interrupted as he nearly walked into the inferno of their campfire. Ash stumbled off to the side, his captured arm breaking his fall. He managed to hold in his outburst of pain so not to wake his friends, Brock and Dawn, who were sleeping. Often he himself wondered why he couldn't get to sleep as quickly as he used to. As he pulled his crushed hand out of his pocket, Ash noticed that it had developed a bruise and his stomach was developing hunger. Knowing he wasn't a very good cook and not wanting to wake his friends for a midnight snack, Ash decided to start on his way toward the Pokémon Center. Savoring the food he hoped to indulge in.
"Pika-Pi?"
Ash turned as his eyes adjusted to faint fire behind him from the darkness of the night. "Pikachu," He whispered "Are you up?"
"Pikachu-Pika"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, I was - " His voice cut off there, the reason being either Pikachu jumping so unexpectedly to his shoulder or whether he couldn't mention why he so hysterically fell into the fire. " - I was just thinking about something."
"Pika-Pi Pikachu?"
Ash continued on his way, but stopped for a moment as he heard his friend say- what he contemplated so often he would say. Though it was undeniable to him, Ash still at times couldn't bear to bring up the subject. Not at the risk of actually sounding impractical but once again knowing the topic of what 'could have been' and the decision he made to enforce it. His head bent down towards the ground, hiding his revealing expression.
"No Pikachu, I'm sure that's not the reason why."
"Pika?"
"Yes of course I'm...Sure." 'Sure' was an undermining, a brisk seclusion from the conversation. Over the period of time it would begin to slowly erode at him. The foremost reason for the evasion was he couldn't once imagine what had happened, to happen to him again, not even at the closing of a door but the opening of a window. "You ask too many questions, you know that Pikachu."
"Piiika-ka-ka-ka, Pika-Pi, Pikachu"
He chuckled. "No harm in asking I guess."
The Pokémon Center wasn't very far off. Ash arrived at his destination sooner than he had expected. Pikachu had fallen sound asleep upon his shoulder. As he walked in, Ash failed to recognize the girl that stood beside him at the entrance. She had her back turned so we couldn't blame him. However she recognized him immediately, she giggled and walked behind him following him inside, hoping not to be discovered immediately. Her red bandanna ends bobbed as she hurried along.
It wasn't too late. Ash was usually asleep by this time, yet sleep was still a secluded consideration which had not managed to catch up to him for some time. Hunger, on the other hand was a stronger emotion at this moment.
The food was still out; he was relieved at this fact. His stomach grumbled slightly as he served himself on the glimmering crystal plate he grabbed. The aroma soothingly stroked both trainer and Pokémon, waking them fully from their midnight wandering. Pikachu awoke, graciously beaming with excitement at the variation of food spread across the tables.
"Chaaa," He whispered quietly.
"Finally," Ash said. "Why did I skip out on Brock's meal, Pikachu? I really wish I hadn't." He thought about that evening's supper and how he had refused to eat, citing that he wasn't feeling well and that his stomach hurt. Ash wasn't lying. He felt anxious and had a need to accomplish something; he just didn't have a clue as to what.
No one else was there but him. Ash looked around, not moving his hands from his plate. Nurse Joy was behind the front desk, enthusiastic as ever. Her cherry pink hair fell across her face as her eyes demonstrated a jaded expression.
Another Pokémon trainer sat at a table, a half-eaten sandwich lay in front of him. His Raichu was asleep on his lap; his hand stroked his head kindly as the Pokémon slept peacefully. Seeing them, made Ash think of his own Pikachu, his best friend. He kindly petted his head, assuring him of the security he was providing.
The Pokémon Center was now solace and silent. Not as it had been a few hours ago. Never had they seen so many trainers here as they had that evening. The Sinnoh Pokémon League drew near in the upcoming weeks, that attributed to the over crowdedness and its excuse for being open late. Ash had been training hard with his own Pokémon. He was anything but worried. He confided in the best of his abilities and his Pokémon. Still one couldn't help but wonder. Of course all of his friends would be there to cheer him on- almost all of his friends.
"I just hope dinner can make me feel bet-"
His eyes went dark. Someone from behind had blindfolded him. At first who wouldn't be panicked in this situation, his eagerness flooded away and he merely chuckled at it. He figured out, that that someone couldn't be taller than him, feeling that the unstable object hadn't fully covered his entire range of vision. Also that this person couldn't be a man, no guy could have had that high toned of a voice and could giggle in the manner that she had.
Finally his invader spoke, "Guess who, Ashy?"
"Pika-Pika!"
A smile progressively appeared on his face. "M-May is that you?"
The bandana fell from his eyes and was hastily returned to its owners head, tied back into its memorable manner. "Hi." May grinned happily. Pikachu wasted no time in greeting his old friend, jumping to her shoulder and nestling against her cheek.
She giggled blissfully, "I'm happy to see you too Pikachu" her hand graciously welcoming him with kind hearted strokes beneath his chin. Ash couldn't help but be envious and coveted so longingly to be in the position his friend was. His hand uneasily rubbed his chin discreetly, before letting loose the words he had wanted to say.
"May, It's so great to see you."
"It's about time you said something Ash." May said, smiling at him before rushing over and throwing herself upon him, in a sociable way no less. She hugged him with all the vitality that accumulated since their last encounter at the Wallace Cup.
Ash awkwardly stood a few seconds, breathing in her hug. He wondered if this visit would end as many have before, unwearyingly distracted by the vast happiness of his friends and their presence. His sole wish was not to alternate anything but to augment this visit and tell her his emotions without disruption. Things had happened, enough to change his mind. He was sure this time, sure enough anyways.
His arms came around the small of her back, her hair gently ushering in around his hands, holding her close to him, her chest pressing lightly against his. Every time they exhaled, their warmth illuminated his being as did his own breathing did to her. Only a secluded sense of euphoria arises during certain moments of our lives, where and how we choose to go looking for them and how to use them is our own preference. Ash keenly had already made his without regrets.
"May, I didn't know you were going to come back so soon."
"What do you mean Ash?" She asked, looking up at him. His eyes stared back into hers, mesmerized for a few moments.
"It's a surprise to me. You didn't call or anything-" Ash stopped speaking, looking down to study his paces as he walked toward an empty sofa nearby, matching the fine wall printing colors; A merge of white lilies and blossoming emeralds. A carefully chosen color scheme, calming yet metaphoric. He sat down, bewildered, his chin in his hands.
May placed her hand on his shoulder. "Didn't you get my letter Ash?"
He looked up at her, his face blank with surprise. "No I can't say that I did." Sighing, May let her arm fall from his shoulder.
"Oh," she said.
She staggered across the room and sat on an armchair across from him. May lifted her leg over her knee while the palm of her hand supported her cheek. Her lips twisted in deep seclusion. "I could have sworn I sent that letter."
"What was in it?" he asked. Ash moved forward arching his back toward her. He seemed deeply interested on the contents of the misplaced letter.
May's eyes circled toward his direction and glanced at him. An attractive smile appeared on her lips as she scoffed at the idea. "Oh just things, how I was doing, conversation starters, thoughts I had at the time. Dawn told me you had won your eighth badge and that you guys were already on your way towards the Sinnoh Pokémon league… It was a pretty long letter actually."
"How long was it?"
"About eight pages,"
Ash's eyes opened extensively, an astonished look appeared on his face. "Eight pages?"
May abruptly let her leg drop to the floor, her hands that held her once pale face fell to her lap. No longer was her face pale but had reddened, standing out from her usual facial features. Ash smiled, he had become quite used to seeing this predicament. He took comfort in seeing May blush on more than one occasion.
"I had so much to tell you, and I didn't know how long it would take you to reply back or for me to get here. I tried to put in everything that was on my mind-"
Her mouth dangled open, as if she had more to say. Her mouth unexpectedly became desiccated, the phrase was on the tip of her tongue but she couldn't bring herself to finish what she had started.
Ash's head tilted watching curiously at her humorous expression. His head slanted to the side, almost as if to see if he could come across the description she was looking for. May shook her head furiously, hoping that it would somehow eradicate her vague but apparent memory she had tried to comprehend unaccountable times before.
"It's nothing Ash, "She finally managed to say "J-just something I wrote, I thought I wrote. But I didn't. I'm sure of it."
"Um," Ash hesitated to bring forth the matter. He finally understood what she was trying to say. Something that probably hadn't crossed her mind for the longest time yet still didn't escape her.
"Is it about..." he started.
May lips twisted, her eyes trying to divert his gaze but still managing to find their way up to his. "Is it that obvious?" she asked.
"Kinda," he said. He had let his words loose before he realized the topic of which they were talking about. May had revealed similar feelings for him hadn't she? That was what they had shared before hadn't they? Then why was he feeling so down? Ash realized she didn't want to start the evening with such a topic. His faced flushed as he immediately tried to change the subject. "Uh, well..."
"Yes Ash?" May's inquisitiveness for her expectations fretfully kneaded her thoughts. She leaned forward unexpectedly smiling.
"Well, I was just about to have dinner, would you like anything?" Ash stood up half way, convincingly swaying his hand in the course of the food. May leaned back in her seat, disappointed but convinced as well.
"Well..." May hesitated, her hands moving uncontrollably over each other "If you don't mind, could you get me a glass of milk please, if it isn't too much trouble."
"No trouble at all May, I'd be glad too." Ash smiled and began to stroll toward the beverage counter. A favorable happiness reflected in his step.
May raised her head, watching him as he walked away. In the reflection of the light and the blush on her cheeks, she looked warm where she was sitting. Moisture perspired on her forehead, and began to set in her palms beneath her gloves; gracefully she removed them from her hands.
Ash was perplexed by May's undemanding order. Usually they'd ravish in more of a gluttonous behavior when they were together. He was hoping he could share those past memories once more. As he filled his plate, a sense of guilt came over him. He quickly doubled on most of his order, in case she would suddenly get hungry.
May placed her gloves into her pack around her waist, as she did so; her PokeDex fell to the ground. Hastily, she bent over and picked it up. Her eyes darted from person to person, surveying cautiously, studying to see if anyone had heard the loud noise she made, hoping not to draw needless attention to herself. Seeing no one looking, May zipped up her pack and positioned her back closer to the chair. Her eyes closed for a moment and without delay opened again. Pikachu was now nestled in between her arms. He was incredibly happy to see her again. May smiled and gently scratched him behind his ears.
Ash was returning from the bars, a glass of milk in one hand and a plate mound with food, messily adorned in an insatiable familiar manner in the other.
He took a seat at the table. May stood up and joined him, taking the seat across from him. "Here's your glass of milk May." He said handing her the small glass.
"Thanks Ash," she said taking a sip.
Ash took a bite of his hamburger on his plate; he could see that May was gawking at his French fries. He smiled, pushing the plate closer to her. She smiled and reached for a French fry, eating it contently.
"I see you found you bandanna." He said, acknowledging she had on a different bandanna than her last visit. "The other one was green."
"Yeah it was, but red's still my favorite color." she said running her hand across her head and down to her hair, "Actually this is a new one I had at home, we never found my old one remember?"
"Yeah, you lost it that day when you, me and Max rode the carousel." Ash chuckled nervously, "That was a great day wasn't it?"
"Pika," Pikachu spoke up.
"You had fun that day too, didn't you Pikachu?" she smiled.
Pikachu nodded, "Pikachu, pika-pika."
Ash smiled, "Hey May, you seem awfully nervous tonight. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine Ash," she shook her head nervously. "But could I ask you something?"
"What is it May?"
"Why didn't you write to me? I know you didn't get my letter before but...why didn't you still?"
"I-uh..." He wasn't prepared for the magnitude of her question. Why hadn't he written to her, he wondered. He wanted to and he knew that she wanted to hear from him but, why hadn't he? He wasn't too distracted. His training with Dawn had been a handful but nothing that they couldn't manage. "I...I don't know May."
His answer came as unexpected to her as her question did to him. What does he mean he doesn't know? Why couldn't he have written to me first? His unknowing answer, proved to be her breaking point. "In all of this time you hadn't written to me Ash, why not? How could you say you don't know?"
"May I-"
"I mean, you have the time, I know you do. Why couldn't you have just written to me or called me once. You know how I feel about you, you're my close friend and you've always been there for me. But it seems as though you don't want to hear from me anymore. You know if you didn't want me to see you anymore you could have just told me. Ignoring your friends is even worse than not seeing them. Even at the Wallace Cup, you were so nervous when I said I was coming. I missed you, you know. .."
Her voice ran out of vigor at that point. She had been speaking with such a force between them. Nobody else had noticed, but it blew them both away.
May raised the glass back to her lips and took another drink, gulping down the rest of her milk. She looked back at him, he wasn't moving nor speaking. His chest gently heaved from his breathing and his eyes were slightly watered.
Oh no, she thought, I shouldn't have been so harsh with him.
"Ash..." she whispered.
"Do you want me to take that up for you?" He asked.
May looked down where Ash's eyes were pointing. It was to her empty glass. He hoped this distraction could save him from further cruel admonishment.
May realized his rebuttal, but she couldn't blame him at heart. She was irritated, but only because she longed to hear from him. May secretly smiled. She knew that the Ash she had come to know would be indifferent to her allusions. She would just have to keep trying wouldn't she? Nudge him in the shoulder every time the subject came up. But for now, May owed him something, something that she deeply meant.
"Ash...I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"May, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have...I should've written to you."
"Ash," May spoke softly; an incoherent sorrow loomed in her voice. "Do you like me?"
He was taken aback by surprise, with an exciting dread, countless times as he was by her. He studied her face carefully looking for some sign to her thoughts. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"Do you like me, I mean do you consider me a true friend and not just because you think your obliged too?"
Ash mouth was slightly hanging open in awe, twitching before he finally spoke. "May, of course I think of you as a true friend. I may have met a lot of people on my travels but you, you hold a special place in my heart, you're unique and I wouldn't feel obliged to like you, because I already do."
May's head drifted downward, a shy smile lit on her face. "I-I'm really sorry I yelled at you Ash. I just wanted to hear you say that."
"May are you ok? You look pale and you're...sweating."
"Um...I just haven't been feeling too good that's all."
"Oh," He sighed. "Do you have a place to stay tonight?"
"Yeah I'm staying here, remember I...oh right, you didn't get the letter." She laughed uneasily. "Well, I'm staying here at the Pokémon Center."
"Oh ok, I guess you got here earlier than I thought. Brock, Dawn and I are camping out. I'd better head back, just in case they wake up, I wouldn't want them to worry."
"Ok Ash," she smiled "I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning." May stood from her chair, hugging Pikachu; he melted into her arms as she pressed her cheek against his.
"Chaaa" he said affectionately.
How cute, she thought. "You'd better get back to Ash Pikachu,"
"Pika-Pika"
"I'm sure Pikachu wouldn't mind sleeping over with you tonight May, I know he'll probably want to see Glaceon again." He chuckled.
"Really Ash?"
"Yeah, it's ok, I'm sure Pikachu won't mind at all," Ash bent down patting his friend on the head gently. He took his eyes of him for a second as they traveled upward to May; across her chest, over her shoulder and studying her eyes. I hope Pikachu doesn't reveal too much about all of this. But I think he'll be a little preoccupied with-
Suddenly, something unusual caught his eye. The darkness of the night illuminated by the bright light of the moon shone through the nearby window behind her. It really was a beautiful night; unlike any other he had seen before. This would make a good opportunity wouldn't it? He thought he'd finally be able to express his feelings and maybe hers as well. He had his information and this time, he was ready.
This was unlike him at all. An old feeling came upon him and he couldn't help acting out of his usual norm.
"Hey May...Do you want to come with me outside?"
"Outside," she said with an innocent tone in her voice "why outside?"
"Let's go outside for a minute May. I heard there's a full moon out tonight."
During the day, the sun is bright in Sunnyshore but during the night, the moon shined its cool comforting light over the city. With its enormous solar panels, the stars and moon weren't really visible from the city. Only on the coast were they visible. Just past Pokémon Rock, near the sea and foaming mist floating above the surface.
"Sure Ash, I'll go with you." She smiled. Pikachu jumped from May's arms to her shoulder. Ash reached out and serenely took hold of her hand; she stood up, following him outside.
Together, their eyes never leaving each other's serene smiles, pushed the doors of the Pokémon Center open and walked out to the gravel paved streets of Sunnyshore. The hours of darkness sure were mystifying. The soaring solar paneled roads created illusions of shadows on the streets below.
Ash looked all around him as the night created another sense of the city, another entirely beautiful world. May noticed he was distracted; she crept up behind him and tapped him on his shoulder but ran in the opposite direction.
"Hey!" Ash yelled, laughing as he turned and ran in May's direction.
She giggled happily. "Come on I'll race you to the coastline over there Ash."
They raced down the streets, as the pebbles leapt and soared beneath their shoes; the streetlights guiding their search to find their true emotions. Laughing happily, May kept turning around to watch as he frantically tried to catch up to her.
But as she turned around again, May came to a stop just before reaching the edge of the coast and Pokémon Rock. In the distant place above the head of the Munchlax carved in stone, was the shimmering evening moon.
"The moon looks so beautiful tonight," she whispered. May walked around the massive Pokémon monument, to have a better look at the sky. The crashing waves of the nearby ocean hummed and pulsated on the beach nearby where their chase had concluded and where May stood upon observing the mystical stars of the night sky. "I've never been able to see the moon this big...anywhere."
"Neither have I." Ash said, having managed to catch up with the captivated young girl. "You know what May?"
"What Ash?" May was still preoccupied with this sidereal possession, reading the manuscript of the night sky. His words were just as casual as the flow of the wind or the waves of the ocean.
"I bet you could see it even better from up there."
May looked up where Ash's eyes had landed. A massive tree stood behind them reaching its arms toward the night sky. Brand new seedlings were sprouting from its branches; Green little blossoms, shyly hiding behind their mature leaf partners on the brushwood. Ash's words hadn't fallen to the ground this time.
"Up there Ash, but isn't it a little high?"
"Nah, come on May it isn't very high. The tallest trees always have the best views."
That's Ash for you, she thought. A human Aipom as Brock had once called him. Shrugging her shoulders informally, she agreed "Ok Ash, are you going...first?" Ash wasn't by her side any longer. She turned to both of her sides. "Ash?" she called out. The wind blew, as she shivered in bitter alarm.
"May, I'm right here." Ash poked his head from behind the tree. She blinked in disbelief. Her eyes stared at him, before her face withered into a frown.
"Ash, you jerk. You scared me, I thought you had-"
"Left you behind?"
She blushed, not wanting to reveal her true demeanor. "Maybe..." Looking up at the tree, in a hastily thought of endeavor, she noticed just how towering it unexpectedly got. Had it always been this tall before? She thought. She stepped back whimpering silently in dread. "Ash, I don't think I can climb it."
"Why May, are you scared?" he asked.
"No!" she replied angrily, "Just a little, maybe." She said calmly this time.
"Don't worry, I was looking around and I found the easiest spot on the tree to climb; besides I'll be here to help you." He smiled.
"Ok, I trust you Ash." She blushed again. "Right, let do this." May stepped up confidently towards the tree and reached up above her head for the closest branch. Her leg reached up to the trunk, the bottom of her shoe gripped the bark. "Um, which one do I grab onto next Ash?" she could feel her fingers start to slip from the slender branch.
Following her path, Ash scaled down and swung around the tree and around her; one hand scarcely on her waist and the other on a branch on the other side of the tree, helping her stay in place with his own body. "Just grab that branch next to your wrist May"
"Alright, I've got it A-AHHH!" She made a brave grasp for the distant branch, but missed. In her attempt, her already loosened grip on the tree slipped underneath her.
"May, Ouch!"
Her breathing relaxed as she discovered that she wasn't on the ground. May blinked and looked around her. Ash had held his ground or more specificly his branches and the trunk of the tree tightly. She had fallen in between his arms, landing forcefully onto his chest. At first instance she looked at him as he coughed from the ache of her shoulder and elbow, but winningly and secretively moved closer to him, absorbing his presence.
"Ash I'm sorry, are you ok?"
"I'm fine May, are you ok?"
"Yeah," she said with a sigh. Looking down, gently she rubbed her leg, whimpering as she did. "I have a small cut on my leg. I must've gotten it when I fell."
Ash tilted his head; his eyes narrowed as he noticed a small red cut on her leg. The crimson graze stood out from the mellow skin on her leg, just as when her cheeks blushed delightfully on her face.
"Do you mind if I take a look at it once we get up there?"
"Sure Ash, if you really want to."
"Just try not to put so much pressure on it if it really hurts."
"I think I'll be fine Ash, thanks "she giggled.
"Ok, grab that branch I was telling you- can you reach it?" May struggling to reach the upper branches. Ash noticed it was just a few feet away from the haven he had discovered on the tree; where they could both stand peacefully without worry.
"Not really Ash, could you help me a- " He place his hands on her waist, giving her an astonishing boost. Higher than the branch she was intended to grab. "T-thanks for the boost Ash,"
"You're welcome" Ash joined in next to her, in the comfy spot they had found. He leaned against the tree, sighing as he stared up at the yellow moon. May shuffled about and sat next to him on the supporting branch as she dangled her legs playfully in the air.
Once again, it was they, by themselves. Watching the world from the point on which they stood. She comfortably positioned herself on his shoulder.
On the distant horizon where the sun would rise in a few hours, a glimmering hum approached the cliff sided beach of Sunnyshore. February was the time of the Illumise and Volbeat mating period. The eager Volbeat chased their comparative companions across the oceans' long distance to see their true equal and spend their eternal days with them.
As he let out a shaky yawn, Ash lost his balance. "Whoa," He quickly hugged the trunk of tree, losing his balance in the instance of his yawn. "May," he said in another yawn. "Do you mind if we get down. Another yawn like that, and I'll be asleep before I hit the ground," He chuckled nervously.
May smiled "Sure Ash, it's getting a little cold up here anyways" Wrapping her arms around herself, May peeked down at the ground. Her eyes widened as the ground ran from her. "Uh...A-Ash?" she said frighteningly. "H-how are we...You know...down?"
Ash laughed and jumped the few feet down to the ground. "Like that" he yelled to her. May still cringed nervously. Ash blinked a few times before holding his arms out. "Jump" he said.
"B-but Ash"
"I'll catch you May, trust me."
Closing her eyes, she nodded; stepping off of the supporting branch and jumped down. Oh my g-
"AAAH!"
"Hmm?" May gradually opened her eyes. "Ash?" she called out.
"Down... here... May..."
"Oh," Ash lay underneath her, succeeding in having caught her. Her knees were pressed against his chest; She stared at him, taken aback at the young boy until he opened one of his eyes. "Um, Hi Ash," she waved apologetically.
"I'm ok, I think I'll just lie here for a while though, if you don't mind." He said smiling, despairingly as he crawled over, sitting up against the trunk of the tree.
May curled up beside him, lying on her side, watching his ever attentive eyes stirring about. Ash looked on, enthralled by an immense yellow glowing swarm of Illumise and Volbeat. "May look" he whispered.
May raised her eyes to the breathtaking sight, lifting up her head. "Wow," she said softly.
The young trainers looked on as the nocturnal Pokémon danced in the evening sky. The Volbeat called out to their Illumise partners. Turning back, the Illumise giggled. They flew past and around the curious group of Volbeat, creating complex and amorous designs in the night sky.
"That so pretty, isn't it Ash?"
"It is May...it is."
The Illumise and Volbeat one by one paired off, flying into the distance to spend the rest of their time together. Ash and May sensed a new beginning in their hearts; uplifting and powerfully elemental whenever the new experience of something special began.
"Hey May, Do you feel any better no-"
May had her eyes closed, mumbling as she gave into her weariness. "Mmm..." she mumbled softly.
As the night continued on, his eyes became heavier. Ash pulled off his hat running his fingers through his hair once more. May had fallen asleep long before he would, a tiny smiled was on her lips. He gazed at her, pulling his hat back on his head. Wow, May looks so-
"Huh?" Inside of his hat something had caught his attention. Oh there it is how I could forget? He thought. I can't believe I didn't notice it earlier.
Nestled inside his hat was her bandanna, the one he had found long ago. Only he knew it was there, his own little secret. As he put his hat back on his head, laying back into the softness of the grass, with May nestling into the side of his arm, he also felt his half of the ribbon they had won together brush against his head. Another faithful possession of theirs carefully nestled in between her bandanna.
