Small, fluffy chapter before we move to the big battle against Giovanni. Happy new year! I hope 2018 may be filled with lots of love, happiness and prosperity for all of you! :D Enjoy~

~DragonClawFromQ: Ash didn't lose, so I was gonna ask if in the end of this story he is gonna fight with Red.

Nope.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon! If I did, Mallow and Lana would get more development in the SUMO anime!

''Meloetta'' Speech

'Meloetta' Thoughts

Viridian city's festival extravaganza was an annual event held in the honor of the three legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres. It was one of the biggest festivals in all of Kanto. As such, the streets were packed with people enjoying the festivities; children laughing and running from stand to stand with their amused or sometimes worried parents following them in tow, inspired pokemon trainers searching for the newest items to help them out in battle or just your average young couples enjoying each other's company as they strolled through the crowd.

Ash and Meloetta were one of those couples. The raven haired trainer was genuinely surprised when he'd arrived in Vermillion city this morning with all the intention to challenge the gym for his last badge, only to see streets filled with balloons, streamers, music and the air smelling almost sickeningly sweet of candy apples and cotton candy.

Needless to say, the gym was closed for the day, which was a bit of a bummer for Ash, but he quickly got an idea that made him forget about all of that in a matter of seconds. A shy blush had spread across his cheeks as he eyed his lovely legendary. His eyes twinkled like the stars as he took her petite hands in his own while clearing his throat.

''Meloetta,'' he whispered, ''I was thinking. Since the gym is closed, would you like to go to the festival with me? Just you and I, I mean.''

Pikachu had trouble stifling his chuckles. Meloetta's eyes had widened almost comically, her cheeks had burned brightly and her mouth had fallen open, like she couldn't believe it. ''Meloetta, are you okay?'' Pikachu teased her. ''It's just a simple question from your boyfriend.''

Meloetta had ignored the electric-type, and instead had squealed joyfully while hugging Ash around his neck. Ash couldn't help but giggle as he felt her warm body pressed so close to his. ''I guess I take that as a yes then.''

Not much later, the couple had set out to enjoy what the festival had to offer. Pikachu and Rapidash had promised to take care of Sylveon and Azumarill while they were away. Meloetta made sure to snuggle herself against Ash as she sat on his shoulder, very much enjoying the smooth skin of his cheek against her own.

''Look, Meloetta!'' Ash said happily while pointing to one of the dozens of stands. It was the infamous can throw game that was present at every carnival ever—and so, it was inevitable that one could be found at this grand festival as well, of course.

''What do you say? Shall I give it a shot and see if I can win you anything?'' Ash suggested suavely.

Meloetta nodded her head while giving him a melodic chirp. She hummed excitedly as the raven haired trainer went over the stand, which had a lot of bright lights and various prices hung up on the ceiling to make the place look as appealing as possible. A big, middle-aged man gave the young couple a practiced smile.

''Welcome, hero kid of Kanto. Are you here to test your luck? Well, I've got a special offer for you. Knock down all the cans in one throw, and you'll win that big Ho-oh plushie over there. What do you say? Care to give it a shot for the pretty lady on your shoulder?''

He flashed Ash another winning smile, who gave it some thought. It seemed simple enough; there were three cans on the first row, two on top of that, and a single one on top of the two to finish the structure. Looking at the gigantic Ho-oh plush, he was sure Meloetta would love it very much, considering how fond she was of Ho-oh.

The only thing Ash didn't know was that it was almost impossible to knock all the cans over in one throw, as the back of them were reinforced with steel, making them a lot heavier than they appeared to be.

''All right, let's give it a shot then!'' Ash agreed. He looked at Meloetta, who was eyeing him appreciatively. He didn't have to be a genius to figure out she really wanted that Ho-oh plushie.

''Great choice, the first throw is on the house, by the way,'' the man told Ash politely while handing him one of the balls.

''Thank you!'' Ash took the ball, aimed it at the cans and threw it with as much strength as he could possibly muster. He was deadly accurate, but to the surprise of both Ash and Meloetta, only four of the six cans were knocked over.

''Well, that's too bad, but you were very close,'' the big man encouraged kindly. ''Would you like to try it again? Another throw will cost you five-hundred pokedollars.''

Ash looked over at Meloetta, who nodded her head without hesitation. It was pricey, and she immediately understood why; giving the facade of an easy game while making the first throw on the house ensured that most people were going to try it again for a couple of times. It was easy money. She knew there was no way this game was fair, but two could play that way.

The petite legendary was surprised to discover, however, that both the ball and the cans were made of a dark-type material that blocked her Psychic on them entirely. It seemed she wasn't the first to try this little trick. Still, there was one factor she could still influence, and that was Ash's throwing strength.

So, when Ash had paid and threw again, she added just a little bit of Psychic energy in his throw to make the ball go faster than before. Again, the ball hit the cans dead-center, and now, the strength behind it was just enough to knock over all six cans.

The man looked at the Ash incredulously. ''Wow, such strength!'' he complimented, very much perplexed. ''You won! Congratulations!'' The big man took the gigantic Ho-oh plush and handed it over to Ash. It was easily a head taller than the raven haired trainer.

Ash took it with a strained face while Meloetta giggled and hugged him warmly. ''Let's bring this back to the pokemon center first,'' Ash suggested.

The legendary nodded her head. This day was already proving to be very nice.

After they had lunched together—which Meloetta enjoyed very much—they had gone inside the Ferris wheel together. Needless to say, the view was breathtaking. It reminded Ash a lot of whenever he was traveling on his Dragonite. It never ceased to amaze him.

The afternoon went by quickly after that. For the first time in her life, Meloetta had tried cotton candy as well, which she liked a lot. It was then that Meloetta spotted something she just had to do with Ash. It was simply the best way to end this day.

''Melo mel!'' she cried, tugging on Ash's shirt to get his attention. He turned towards where she was looking and immediately knew what she wanted. At the far end of the street, they had set up a tunnel of love. The little boats were decorated as a pokemon Ash couldn't identify. They were Swanna, their wings spread out until the tips of the wings touched each other in a heart shape.

In front of the boats, only young couples were waiting to get on the ride, which was to be expected, of course. Meloetta was already dragging Ash towards the ride, who couldn't help but turn a little shy. All the other couples would definitely stare at them, as they were the only human and pokemon couple.

Yet, the legendary didn't seem to mind this at all, and giving one glance at her lively eyes, which revealed nothing but happiness, Ash stopped caring about this little fact too. The only thing that mattered was that they were together, and Ash realized this with such a sudden clarity, that he couldn't help but feel his heart beating loudly in his chest while a funny feeling spread all throughout his belly.

'Is this what being in love truly feels like?' Ash thought while he let himself be dragged towards the tunnel of love by Meloetta. 'If that's the case, then I don't ever want it to end.'

Like Ash predicted, a lot of couples gave them funny looks when they joined them in the queue, but some of them recognized Ash. The funny looks were soon replaced with looks of awe and some couples even asked for autographs here and there.

Finally, it was Ash and Meloetta's turn to get on the ride. The legendary nestled herself comfortably on Ash's lap until the little boat started to move inside the tunnel, which quickly got completely dark.

The raven haired trainer didn't have to wait long. He felt Meloetta shift in his lap, felt her hands cup his cheeks and then her sweet lips touch his own with all the tenderness she could muster. He kissed her back, and somehow, now that he wasn't able to see her at all, made the moment even sweeter than normal.

Meloetta was practically melting against Ash; for her, this moment could last forever and she would be the happiest legendary in existence. She continuously pressed her lips against Ash, until she opened them and asked for entrance with her tongue.

She had French kissed Ash just one time before, and that was when she so boldly kissed him when Marill had hatched in the pokemon center. That one had been quick, and while pleasurable, it didn't hold a candle to what she felt when Ash granted her entrance and parted his lips for her right now.

She moaned happily, her small tongue dancing with Ash's in an ancient rhythm only understood by love itself. She tasted him and explored his mouth, and she let him do the same with her.

When they finally parted to take a quick break of swapping their saliva—their breaths thick and heavy—Ash muttered the words that were on his mind ever since they'd entered the tunnel of love.

''Meloetta, I think I'm in love with you.''

He could hear a small gasp coming from Meloetta and then nothing. Ash was afraid he'd said something wrong, but those thoughts quickly died when he felt Meloetta's lips almost hungrily pressed against his again, leaving no doubt that his feelings were wholeheartedly reciprocated.

And so, there in the tunnel of love, Ash and Meloetta officially proclaimed their love for each other as the boat steadily moved further and fireworks were going off in the distance.

There you have it, people! Did you guys like it, love it, hate it? Reviews are very much welcomed! Next chapter, Meloetta vs Project M! Until then. ^^

~Syrup-Waffle