"Well good morning sleepy-head," Ash said as he looked down at the sleeping female before him.
"Huh? Five more minutes mom," Angie replied wearily from underneath her bed covers.
"Erm, Angie, I'm not your mom you know," Ash smirked.
"Then who ar…" Angie opened her eyes and looked up, "aaah, Ash!"
Angie suddenly went bright red, surprised and embarrassed to have Ash in her room, especially when she was in her pyjamas.
"It's alright, it's just me, and why are you all red, do you have a fever or something? Because I've planned something for today." Ash said as he tried to calm Angie down.
"Really? Well that sounds great Ash, I'll be ready soon," Angie replied.
"I'll wait downstairs for you, okay?" Ash said eagerly.
"You won't have to wait long," Angie answered.
Ash left her room and closed the door behind him. After he did, Angie sighed with relief and slunk back down into her bed.
'Ash sure is special, coming here to see me early in the morning like that,' she thought to herself, 'I wonder what he has planned.'
The day had started with a pleasant surprise for Angie, with Ash visiting her early in the morning. The scene had been set for a new and exciting day, with everyone rested and ready for any challenges that they would face. In fact, what Ash had planned would provide everyone involved with a huge challenge, but only time could tell what was going to happen to the young pokemon trainers that day. For the people they were going to face were a force to be reckoned with.
"So May, are you excited to be seeing Ash again?" a green haired trainer asked.
"Yeah, the last time I saw him was in the Wallace cup. I can't wait to congratulate him on his league challenge, how about you Drew?" May replied.
"Well, he seemed like a skilled trainer, but not much of a coordinator though."
"Be nice," May said, "he just managed to draw with the champion of Sinnoh, so give him some respect."
"Fine," he sighed, "but does he even know that I'm coming?"
"Ash told me to bring someone, and knowing Ash, he's probably planned some sort of tag battle.
"But I bet you that he wasn't counting on us two," Drew grinned
"If it's a tag battle he wants, it's a tag battle he'll get," she said confidently as they both continued walking towards Solaceon town.
The duo that had travelled from the Johto region were a while away from Solaceon town and it would be a few hours before they reached the day care centre, therefore Ash and Angie would have to wait a bit longer before their battle. It was in this time when a certain team were, yet again, planning to steal Pikachu.
"Wow, that breakfast was awesome Mrs Aoi," Ash praised, his stomach now bulging.
"Yeah mom, thanks," Angie added in agreement, her stomach a similar size to Ash's.
"Well thank you Ash," Angie's mother replied, "my little Angie has these cooking skills too you know."
"Seriously Angie?" Ash questioned.
"She sure does," Mrs Aoi said before Angie could say a word, "it's a pretty useful skill to have if you get m-…"
"So," Angie loudly interrupted, "what's your surprise Ash?"
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise would it? Just be patient."
"Your one to talk about being patient," Angie teased.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Ash replied, now sitting forward.
"Your not exactly Mr Patient now are you?" stated Angie with a cheeky grin.
"Says who?"
"Says me."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!" Angie shouted.
While the argument raged, Brock and Dawn, who had been sitting quietly, managed to sneak off from the table. They, along with Angie's mother went into the next room.
"Should we stop them?" Brock asked as he looked back into the other room.
"Don't worry, they'll tire each other out soon enough," Mrs Aoi replied.
Actually, it took around ten minutes before Ash and Angie finally stopped arguing. Although, the reason why they stopped arguing was not because they were tired.
"Hey, where'd everybody go?" Angie asked as she looked around.
"I don't know," Ash answered, "but wait just a second."
The two of them paused, and as they did the sound of a balloon landing was heard.
"Did you hear that?"
"Let's go find out what it is," Ash said before they hurried off.
The trainers ran outside to find a familiar sight.
"Team Rocket," Ash shouted.
"Well if it isn't you two again, if I didn't know any better I would think you two are a couple!" Jessie shouted back at him."
At this, Angie turned bright red, hoping Ash would ignore what Jessie had said and not see her blushing. Fortunately for Angie, today was her lucky day. As a matter of fact, Ash had flinched at this; therefore he pulled down his cap slightly as he called Pikachu up.
"Sorry Team Rocket, I haven't got time for this today. Pikachu, use thunderbolt, 'kay?"
"Pika," Pikachu agreed confidently as it fired a powerful thunderbolt.
There was a huge explosion as it connected, with Team Rocket being at the centre of it.
"Hey, no fair," the three Rockets screamed as they disappeared out of sight.
"Well that's that taken care of," Ash stated as he turned toward Angie (who by this time had stopped blushing).
"Awesome," Angie congratulated him.
'Ash and Pikachu are so powerful' she thought, 'he's gotten so strong, yet he still said sorry before blasting them off. For once, I wish that what Jessie said was the truth.'
Her train of thought was interrupted by Brock, Dawn and Angie's mother arriving on the scene.
"What'd we miss?" Brock asked.
"Just team Rocket again, but I didn't have time for them today," Ash explained.
"I'm guessing this is because of your surprise then, Ash?" Dawn said to Ash.
"Yeah," Ash nodded to her, "speaking of the surprise, shouldn't 'it' be arriving soon Brock?"
"Any second now Ash," Brock confirmed.
As luck should have it, when they turned to go inside, two small figures appeared on the horizon. Everyone except Ash and Brock squinted to see who it was. The others saw two young adults, chatting as they walked closer and closer.
"Who are they Ash?" Angie asked while trying to get a better look at them.
"You'll find out soon enough," Ash replied.
"May, great to see you," Ash greeted her, "and Drew, long time no see."
"Same here Ash," May responded.
"Must have been in Hoenn when we last saw each other," Drew agreed, "but who are your new friends?"
"Well this here's Angie," he said as he gestured toward her, "she's the one who lives here; and this is Dawn."
"Nice to meet you both," Drew said as he nodded to them in turn, "and Dawn, I saw you in the Wallace Cup, you're a pretty good coordinator."
"Thanks Drew, it was then that I heard from May that you're not too bad yourself."
"Not too bad?" Drew repeated while turning to May, who just giggled.
"Anyway," Ash said, "I was thinking that we could have a tag battle: you two versus me and Angie. How's that sound?"
"I'm up for it, how about you Drew?" May asked
"Sure thing, but you better be careful Ash, May and I have been travelling together in Joto so we make a pretty good team," Drew said as he warned his soon to be opponents.
"You're on, but Angie and I are a force to be reckoned with as well," Ash said with increasing excitement.
"Don't you underestimate us," Angie added with a similar tone.
"I'll be the referee for this match, is that okay with everyone?" Brock enquired.
"Right," all the participants agreed at the same time.
They all then went off for a short break before the battle to discuss plans and tactics. Although, just before they regrouped, Drew noticed that May was watching the other team with a glint in her eyes. Drew recalled his pokemon and walked over to her.
"May, I've been travelling along with you for a while now, so I know that look in your eyes, you're planning something aren't you?"
"Those two are just perfect for each other aren't they?" she said with a tone of wonder.
"You're planning to interfere, yes?" Drew asked her.
"Of course, I mean, they're made for each other," May replied
"Look," Drew sighed, "don't interfere with this one. I agree with you, they do make a nice couple, but let them handle it, it'll work better that way."
"I guess you're right," May moaned.
"Well then, let's get ready to battle," he said in an attempt to lighten her mood.
The time had come. There were two trainers on each side of the battlefield, each one ready for battle. They all had one pokeball ready to call out, for it had been decided that all trainers would use one pokemon. Brock stood at the side of the field, refereeing for the match between the two pairs of trainers.
"This will be a two-on-two tag battle between these four competitors," Brock announced, "each trainer will use one pokemon, and the first team to knock out both opposing pokemon will be declared the winner. Are all the trainers ready?"
They all nodded.
"Then let the battle begin."
In turn, each trainer sent out their pokemon.
"Go, Staraptor," Ash shouted.
"Come on out Leafeon," Angie followed.
"Absol, show them your strength," Drew called.
"Delcatty, it's time," May exclaimed.
The battle had started, and it was Ash who made the first move.
"Staraptor, use aerial ace on Delcatty," Ash ordered.
"Leafeon, use magical leaf on Absol," Angie instructed.
"Dodge it Delcatty," May told her pokemon.
"Absol, use swords dance then dodge it," Drew commanded.
The battle went on with no letup from either side. Staraptor used its strength and speed in the sky, whilst Angie kept a strong defence on the ground. The other team also fought well, with quick attacks and a sturdy defence. It was not until late into the battle when the first pokemon fell.
"Leafeon, finish Delcatty with leaf blade," Angie called out.
Leafeon jumped into the air, and used a powerful leaf blade. The attack connected before anything could be said, ending up with Delcatty being pushed forcefully into the ground, picking up a cloud of dust.
"Delcatty is unable to battle," Brock announced.
Angie was just about to celebrate when she heard a voice shout to her.
"Angie, look out for…" Ash began.
But it was too late; Drew's Absol emerged from the cloud in an instant.
"Absol, psycho cut."
The strike was too much for Leafeon to bear, it fell down to the ground, and struggled to get up.
"Leafeon, please, use helping hand on Staraptor," Angie called sadly, knowing her pokemon wouldn't last much longer.
Leafeon began to glow, emanating a beautiful light that shone brightly. The light transferred to Staraptor, but as soon as this happened, it collapsed on the ground.
"Leafeon is unable to battle."
This call from the referee meant that is was now between Ash and Drew, neither of whom were about to give in. The two pokemon faced the other on the field, both of them worn down. The two remaining trainers called their attacks at the same time.
"Absol, use night slash."
"Staraptor, use brave bird."
The two attacks collided in the middle of the field, creating a huge explosion of energy. It was from this explosion that an astounding light was released, further distorting the view of the pokemon. A few seconds later, the dust cleared to reveal who had won this battle.
"Absol is unable to battle," was the final call, "Ash and Angie are the winners."
"Good job Staraptor, come back for a rest," Ash said gratefully before turning towards Angie, "we did it Angie, we won!"
"Yeah," she agreed, "that was an awesome battle."
"Are you ready?" Ash asked her.
"Ready when you are," was the reply.
They then struck one of Ash's poses together.
"Yeah, we won the tag battle," they declared.
Drew and May just looked at each other, which was enough to get their thoughts across. After that, when Ash and Angie had just finished their pose, Ash's stomach growled loudly.
"Wow, even after a battle like that your stomach is still complaining," Angie laughed.
Her stomach then growled even louder than Ash's.
"Well it looks like your stomach feels the same way," Ash joked, "but let's rest our pokemon first, okay?"
"You're right, let's go," Angie said in agreement.
"Right," Ash said in return before going with Angie to her house.
The others just watched as the team who had just won the battle walked together on the path towards the house, which just happened to be in front of an awe-inspiring sunset.
"That was…" May began.
"I think we all know what you're going to say," Drew declared, "but I think we all agree with you anyway."
The end of the day was now nearing, and it was time for Drew and May to leave. They all said their goodbyes, and the two of them left to head back to Johto. A few minutes later, after they were out of view of the day care centre, May asked Drew a question.
"So, do you think it will work?" May asked as she looked at them moon.
"For sure," Drew confirmed, "I just know it."
The two of them walked hand in hand as they continued on their own journey to win the Johto Grand Festival.
Ash and Angie had taken care of all their pokemon, and now sat outside in the cool night air, looking up at the stars above. They thought of their day, what they had done and the fun that they had had. It was then that Ash decided to speak up.
"Did you like the battle I set up for you?"
'For… me?' Angie thought to herself.
"It was wonderful Ash," she replied.
"That's great," he said with a smile, "by the way, thanks for that last move there, it was that move that won it for us,"
"Thanks," she answered gratefully, "although it was really your Staraptor that finished it."
"Seriously Angie, if it wasn't for your helping hand, I don't know what would've happened. Anyway, I hope you know that if you ever need me for anything, just ask, because I'll always be happy to help you out, okay?"
Angie looked away from the sky toward Ash. Their eyes met for a long time, creating an atmosphere of great friendship, or possibly more. Suddenly, they both turned away, both rather embarrassed in what had turned into an awkward moment.
"Well," Ash said in a calm voice, "it's late now, so I'll be going to be going to bed; see you tomorrow Angie."
Ash tipped his cap to her before walking to his room on what had been an exciting day for both him and Angie.