The day had finally come when Dawn was to return home. She was very excited to return to Twinleaf town and therefore the group of them had decided to make an early start on their journey. Angie had also decided to tag along, not having anything else to do anyway (or so she said) and so Ash had made all the arrangements for the journey. Therefore, when Angie, Brock and Dawn were gathered outside ready to leave, Dawn wondered why Ash wasn't there.

"I wonder where he could be?" Dawn mused.

"He told me he had to go to the pokemon centre but left before telling me why." Brock informed them.

"Typical," Angie said placing her hands on her hips.

"I wouldn't worry; Ash is usually a reliable person,"

As if on cue, Ash appeared at the end of the road. He was running with a huge smile on his face and a pokeball in his hand. When he reached his companions he decided to explain himself.

"Sorry guys, I just had to go to the pokemon centre to pick up this guy here," he motioned to the pokeball.

"Why did you need to do that?" Dawn asked.

"Because he's crucial to my plan of your journey home."

"And what is this plan?" Angie questioned him.

"Today, we're going to be flying across Sinnoh!" Ash told his friends as he tossed his pokeball in front of him. A moment later, everyone could see the magnificent Charizard that had been released. The impressive pokemon's tail flame burned strongly as he bowed its head to acknowledge Ash's friends. However, when he finally turned to Ash he couldn't help but fire a huge flamethrower at his first trainer due to it being his standard greeting for Ash. This left Ash on the floor and rather charred, "Hi Charizard… You've really... gotten a lot… stronger," Ash managed to say before falling flat on the ground.

"Isn't it a bit strange for a pokemon to attack its trainer?" Angie whispered to Brock.

"With Ash's Charizard, it would be strange if it didn't! It's always done that and so its flamethrower has almost become a 'hello' to him."

Ash got off the ground, dusted himself off and repositioned his cap on his head, "So how does flying sound to everyone?"

Angie stepped forward hesitantly, "Um… I've never flown before, are you sure it's safe?"

"Of course I'm sure, Charizard here is one of the most reliable pokemon I know, and besides, I'll be riding him with you while Dawn and Brock will be on Staraptor," Ash replied proudly whilst bringing out his bird pokemon.

"Okay then, I guess you're right," Angie agreed, looking at Charizard's sturdy posture.

Therefore, they all went to the pokemon that they would be flying with. Charizard lowered his head to let his passengers on, with Ash sitting at the front and Angie behind him. Likewise, the other two joined Staraptor and were soon ready to start their journey home. The clear skies beckoned them as they awaited each other's signal.

"Angie, Charizard, are you ready?" Ash turned to his passenger who nodded, and then Charizard gave an affirmative growl. He then looked at Brock, who gave a thumbs up which he returned. "Alright then, let's go!"

Charizard took off and soared into the sky, as did Staraptor. They went higher and higher, causing the first time flyer Angie to cling onto Ash. Noticing this, he turned his head and smiled.

"Relax, you're perfectly safe."

Angie blushed and quickly took her hands away from his body, then scratched her head "…sorry…"

They continued to climb higher above the fields of Sinnoh, reaching the clouds after a short amount of time. The two pokemon glided gracefully beside one another, feeling the wind underneath their wings. After a while, they levelled out and started to fly straight forward. It seemed as if this experience had eliminated Angie's initial fear of flight; she now had a huge grin on her face as the high altitude wind swept past.

"I love flying!" Angie declared.

"Great isn't it?" her pilot agreed, "But wait until you see the view from above the clouds." Ash took Charizard up further into the sky. The clouds beneath them got further and further away until suddenly, they reached a clear patch of sky. The view from here was breathtaking, actually causing Angie to be at a loss for words. The small towns and cities could be seen far below as well as the jagged mountaintops of Mount Coronet. Both trainers and pokemon enjoyed beautiful morning view for a few more minutes before returning lower down where it was easier to fly.

They then cruised for a long time while they neared Twinleaf town, idly chatting as they went along. In fact, most of the journey from this point on was rather uneventful. The reason for this was that Team Rocket had decided not to try and pursue two expert flying pokemon in a measly balloon. This meant that Ash and his friends could enjoy this day unhindered as they soared through the clouds. After another hour or so of nothing of particular interest happening, they arrived at the quaint village of Twinleaf.

Charizard and Staraptor went lower until they were barely clearing the rooftops. They passed a few buildings that were familiar to Dawn as they flew over the place where she grew up. Even though it had only been just over a year since she set off on her journey, her hometown brought back memories of her childhood. The sight of the old field where she would used to play with her friends evoked a strong feeling of nostalgia.

"I think I see it," Ash called out.

Dawn looked out in front, "That's it," she confirmed as her home came into view.

They landed right outside of her house, finally regaining contact with the ground after what seemed like a life time (although not to say a certain someone didn't enjoy being close to Ash for a long time.) Everyone stretched out their limbs as the pokemon were recalled. However, their arrival hadn't gone completely unnoticed; just as Dawn was about to knock on the door it was opened by her mother. Johanna greeted her daughter with a warm smile before embracing her.

"Welcome home darling, I've missed you so much."

"I missed you too mom."

"Come through to the sitting room dear, there are people waiting for you," Johanna looked to the others, "Please come in as well, we've been waiting for you all."

They all followed Dawn's mother into her house and when they reached the sitting room they found two guests sitting there.

"Kenny? Barry?"

"Hi Dawn," Kenny replied, "we heard that you were coming back so we thought we'd stop by here to welcome you back,"

"Thanks Kenny, and also thanks for not calling me De-De," Dawn said before sitting down.

"Oh right! Sorry about that De-De," Kenny said wryly, causing a look of anger to appear on Dawn's face, much to everyone's amusement.

"Hey! Aren't you forgetting someone here? Like the best trainer you know?" Barry asked.

"Well when I first met you didn't even remember who I was, but anyway…"

"Wait a minute," Ash interrupted, "I'm the best trainer she knows."

"Yeah? I could beat you any day!" Barry stood up.

"Well why didn't you beat me in the league then?" Ash retorted.

"You just got lucky!"

"Then how about another battle?"

The argument between the two hot-headed trainers grew fiercer, leaving the other five of them standing there while the argument ensued.

"Here we go again," Angie muttered.

Line Break

It was becoming dusk when it was time to leave Dawn behind, the day was ending and they had to return home. Everyone had enjoyed their time together so it was hard for them all to part, but time does not wait, even for our heroes.

"Goodbye Dawn; it was nice to have met you," Angie called as she clambered onto Charizard.

"See you again one day," Ash added.

"Thanks guys, I wish you the best of luck in the future. Farewell," Dawn replied with sadness very clear in her voice, "We'll meet again one day."

And so, Charizard and Staraptor took off again, this time heading back to Solaceon town. They all called their goodbyes as they left until they were finally out of earshot. It wasn't long before they settled back into flying. However, Ash had something else planned before the day could end.

"Brock," Ash flew over to Brock, "do you think you can go on ahead? I've just remembered something." Brock agreed and left with Staraptor.

"What is it?" Angie asked from behind Ash.

"There's a place I want to show you, but it's a surprise so close you eyes and wait until I tell you to open them, okay?"

Angie agreed as they changed course slightly. They could feel the cool wind of the evening rushing against them as the got closer to this 'secret' place, and after a few minutes they landed.

"Okay, you can look now,"

Angie opened her eyes, "Why… this is…" Her eyes sparkled as she observed the sight in front of her. They were on a cliff face overlooking the calm ocean. The sky glowed with a warm golden hue with the sun just appearing over the horizon. The small waves sparkled in the light of dusk whilst the faint sound of the water caressed its listener's ears. Ash took Angie's hand as he helped her down from his Charizard, also admiring the view.

"I found this place on my travels through Sinnoh," he told her quietly. He then brought her to the edge of the cliff and sat down with her there, still holding her hand. "I thought that maybe you might like to see this view."

"This whole scene is beautiful," she said, mesmerized.

"Just like you then," Ash replied subconsciously. As luck would have it Angie was so amazed at the view she didn't hear this.

"Did you say something?"

"I don't think so…" suddenly Ash's stomach grumbled, "but I think my stomach just did."

Angie laughed, "It seems even here you can't stop thinking about food, luckily for you I packed some food before we left."

"So that's why you had a rucksack! Wow, you're good."

"Thanks," she blushed slightly, "so let me just get it out…" it was then that she looked down and noticed that she and Ash were still holding hands. She quickly withdrew her hand while her blush deepened. "Sorry, I…"

"Don't apologise, it was me who forgot to let go," Ash said humbly, "I guess that I just feel comfortable around you now."

Angie didn't know what to say. Thoughts swam round in her head as she tried to grasp what Ash had just said. Unfortunately, she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

"Um… you said that you had food." Ash reminded her.

"Ah… y-yes," she managed to reply.

Then, they spent a while there together. They made pleasant small talk as they ate whilst also taking in the magnificent view. They would have spent a very long time there if they weren't reminded of the passing of time by the setting sun. The night was fast approaching so they decided to leave this place.

"We better get going, it's getting late and I still need to get Charizard back home once we get there."

"Really? What's the hurry?"

"Well, Charizard has a special girl waiting for him," Ash explained.

"I see," Angie replied absently. 'So he understands the concept of love,' she thought to herself, 'but still…'

"Besides, after what happened with the Gardevoir, I doubt your parents would trust me staying out this late with you," Ash laughed.

"Haha… yeah…" Angie laughed weakly, trying to hide her blushing.

Angie and Ash then climbed aboard Charizard yet again and flew off into the night.