In the faint glow of the sunset, a couple could be seen making their way down to the beach.

"Careful, watch your step here. The rocks are slippery. Not to mention that we'll be losing our light soon."

Delia Ketchum smiled as her companion took her hand and helped lead her safely down the hill to the beach.

"So, is this the spot you told me about?" she asked as the two stepped onto the sand.

"This is it, Delia," Professor Oak smiled, surveying the area. "We'll be able to see everything from here."

Delia reached into her beach bag. "Then I'll put the blanket down here and we can sit back and relax."

"You know, not many people have witnessed the mating ritual of the Goldeen," he said as he helped her unfold the large plaid striped blanket. "It happens only during the first full moon in April."

"Then I'm honored, Professor," Delia grinned. "Although I'm wondering why you asked me to come with you and not Tracey."

"Because this is something best witnessed in the company of a member of the opposite sex. Particularly someone you care about," he smiled back.

The two sat down on the blanket, side by side.

"When will we start seeing the Goldeen?" Delia asked, scanning the surface of the ocean.

"As soon as the sun sets," Samuel replied. "It won't be much longer now."

"Well, until then, why don't we have something to drink?" Delia reached inside her beach bag and, to her companion's surprise, produced a bottle of wine and a pair of glasses. "I thought we could use something to warm us up. It's starting to get a bit chilly."

"Oh, I'm feeling pretty warm already," Samuel smiled, taking the glass of wine from his pretty companion. "What else is in that bag of yours?"

"You'll just have to wait and see," Delia said mischievously.

Samuel liked the sound of that.

---

"Brock, you always make the best soup…and sandwiches…and desserts…," Ash said while he was stuffing his face.

"So what do you guys want to do now?" Brock asked as he started to clear the dishes off of the table in the kitchen. "Play a game? Read a book?"

"Actually, I know exactly what I'm going to do," Misty replied, standing up. "I'm going for a walk on the beach. You guys know what tonight is, don't you?"

Ash and Brock exchanged puzzled looks.

"I can't believe you guys don't know what tonight is!" Misty cried. "Tonight's when the Goldeen have their mating ritual. It's the first full moon in April."

Ash and Brock continued to stare blankly at their friend.

"Oh, you guys!" Misty huffed. "It's only one of the most important events in the life cycle of water Pokémon. But then again, I guess only a true water Pokémon trainer like me would remember that."

"Hey, what are you talking about, Misty? I have water Pokémon, too, you know!" Ash swallowed his last bite of food and jumped up from the table.

"Yes, but you're obviously not an expert on water Pokémon like I am," said Misty haughtily. "And I'm going to go down to the beach and let my Goldeen see if she can find a mate."

"You're going to let your Goldeen go, Misty?" Brock said, surprised.

"I've been thinking about this for a while, Brock. And I think Goldeen deserves to find a mate. So I'm going to let her go and find one, if that's what she wants."

"That's a pretty nice thing you're doing for your Goldeen, Misty," Ash said. "I remember how hard it was for me to let Butterfree go when he found a mate."

Misty selected the Poké ball from her belt that contained Goldeen. "So, do you guys want to come down to the beach with me?"

"I've got to do the dishes and finish cleaning up this place," replied Brock, seizing a dishtowel. "You guys go on ahead and maybe I'll catch up with you later."

"Do you want to come, Ash?" Misty asked.

"Yeah. I'd really like to see all those Goldeen," said Ash. "See you later, Brock."

To be continued…