"yeah I have! s-shut up!" says ash blushing
"hoho, someone's embarrassed" says jesse
jesse and james chuckle then turn to face ash.
"ah yes, there was something I needed to show. I think this will answer any question about me being a trainer" says james digging in his pocket
"hmm?" says ash waiting curiously
james pulls out a badge case and holds it out so ash can see it. he then opens it, showing 7 badges placed inside.
"ahh, those are gym badges. so that means you're.." says ash
"that's right, I'm collecting kanto gym badges. I currently have 7 of them and just need one more to qualify for the indigo league, the league you won" says james
"whoa, nice" says ash
"hey, don't forget dear james. I'm quite the pokemon trainer as well. take a look at this" says jesse stepping up and going in her pocket
"yes of course, jess" says james looking at her
ash looks as jesse pulls out a ribbon case and shows it to ash. she then opens it and shows 5 contest ribbons.
"hmm? are those... contest ribbons?" says ash
"yes, ribbons I won in kanto league pokemon contests. I have won 5 which means I will be in the kanto grand festival" says jesse
"wow, cool. just like may did back then" says ash
"heh, I barely missed winning ladt time but this time I will get that grand festival cup. this time around no nicknames or disguises, I'm simply going as jesse" she says
"er... ok" says ash
"jesse, I know you'll blow em away" says james
"james..." says jesse looking at him endearingly
the two get close again and hold hands gazing in each others' eyes.
"james, I'll be right there to cheer you on when you get your 8th badge" says jesse
"thank you jess, and as you win the grand festival I'll be the loudest one in the crowd cheering you on" says james
the two stare at one another for a while as ash turns away.
"oh great, they're at it again..." he says to himself
"by the way kid, you looked a bit distressed earlier" says jesse
"yeah, something wrong?" says james
"huh? oh no no I'm fine. just all the excitement of the celebration has got me going haha" says ash
"oh ok. well we should get going, gotta explore the town and see what we can get into. right jess?" says james
"right james, I see so many games I want to play. let's go before they get too crowded. oh, see you later champ" says jesse waving once then turning and walking
"yes, later then" says james following jesse
ash watches as they walk away toward a path with more stands. before getting too far james and jesse stop and turn to ash once more.
"oh, one more thing champ" says jesse
"huh? yeah?" says ash
"if you ever find yourself in trouble.." says james
"we'll handle it for you on the double" says jess
"after causing you trouble for so long the least we can do is help you out with any trouble you may have, so let us know if you do" says james
"oh um ok... uh I'll keep that in mind.. alright, see you guys later" says ash nodding
james and jesse nod then walk away into the distance. ash stands where he is for a few seconds pondering.
"wow.. those two, not doing bad things.. still hard to believe haha. guess some people can change. now, what do I do? hmmm... I know, play a few of these festival games to pass the time. then... later I gotta... face the music.. hope serena's not still mad.." he says gulping
he starts to walk to the right toward a path. elsewhere the big crowd that surrounded may and dawn is still there however both may and dawn have managed to slip through the crowd and escape. dawn walks by herself down one of the wider paths with stands on either side.
"boy, I'm sure glad I got away from that crowd of fans. I thought I would be there forever. hmm I guess may got away too. oh, what happened to ash I wonder? maybe he went to his house, ok I'll go there since I was planning to anyway. ahh, but first.." she says
eventually dawn stops in front of a food stand selling candy apples.
"I think I'll get a bite to eat! um, one please" says dawn going up to the stand
the man hands her a candy apple and she pays him. she then walks down a bit away from the crowd and starts eating.
"mmmm delicious!" says dawn as she takes more bites
as she bites around the apple a person walks up behind her.
"hey hey, never thought I'd see you here" says the person behind her
dawn quickly turns around hearing them.
"sorry I'm not taking autographs right now. huh?" says dawn with mouth half full
"don't worry, I'm not here for that. actually you and I go back, long time no see huh dawn?" says the girl
upon closer inspection dawn recognizes who it is. she had on a long sleeve black shirt, skinny jeans that were cut at the knees and had sunglasses on her forehead.
"it's.. it's you, zoey!" says dawn
"yup it's me haha" says zoey
dawn walks up to her and the two hug for a few seconds then look at each other.