Part IV: Flight of the Heart

The next few days passed in a blur for Ash. Most of it was saying goodbye and promising to stay in touch with all of his new Unova friends, many of whom had decided to begin their own international journeys in different regions because of Ash, while preparing for his own trip.

Ash knew that he should be sad, that he should be upset saying goodbye to all the friends he had made but he couldn't bring himself to be. He was going to see Misty again and that ensured he was always happy.

Ash also knew that the friends he had made were just like the many others he had made but not traveled with. They were friends who had helped him grow but who he would likely never meet again. It was a shame but it was also the reality of his constantly traveling lifestyle.

Only those who he actually traveled with seemed to show up again as they were who he was closest too. That was why he was going to be upset when the time came to say goodbye to Iris and Cilan as they had both become good friends over the course of their year together in Unova.

They had all flown together one more time and enjoyed the flight to Johto. It wasn't fully booked as few left Unova so it was nice to spread out and relax for the flight. Seeing as it was a long flight it was good to be able to spread out during it.

The flight wasn't wasted by them though. Ash spent the entire time trying to figure out how to tell Misty he liked her and what to do when he got to Silver Town for the Grand Festival. Cilan spent it with several Johto guidebooks and maps scattered around him and was constantly noting where he wanted to go and what he wanted to see, trying to find the best route. Iris spent it relaxing or talking with Axew about Blackthorn City.

Ash had even been allowed to let Scraggy out so that he and Axew could play one last time. Ash had explained to his Pokémon that they would be separating from Iris and Cilan in a few days as they were about to take separate paths so goodbyes were in order.

He also told them that they would be traveling alone for a bit before seeing an old friend but that didn't mean that it would be the last time they saw Iris and Cilan. Still, it had made Scraggy and Axew upset that they would be splitting and they seemed determined to spend as much time together as possible before that happened.

Both small Pokémon were happy when they landed because it was dark and as much as Ash wanted to set off right away, being called a kid again, he had wisely listed to the others and agreed to stay in the Pokémon Center in Ecruteak City. They would set off the next morning on their separate journeys. Ash and Iris had let Scraggy and Axew sleep together for the night as it was the last time for likely a long time.

Now it was the morning and all three had risen early. They were all excited to go on their journeys but Ash knew that the mood was muted because they would be splitting up after so long together. Ash knew how to handle this but this, he had been here many times before, but this was a first for Cilan and Iris so it would be harder. Still, they made the most of it.

They all walked together to the outskirts of the city as if it was old times. Once there they set up a final camp and Cilan cooked them one last, delicious, meal. It was a somber affair but as good as ever and Ash made them all laugh with his bottomless appetite. In his defense, Ash would be cooking for himself for the next few days and even he knew how bad his cooking was.

"Well I guess we can't delay this anymore." Cilan said with a sigh as he packed up everything. "The last course has been served, the check paid, and it is time to close up for now."

"Yes it is time." Ash agreed. "I will miss you guys, you are always welcome in Pallet Town."

"Likewise for the Village of Dragons." Iris said holding back tears.

"And my gym and restaurant in Striaton is always open to you." Cilan said.

"So Cilan, what are your plans?" Ash asked as he returned Oshawott to his Poke Ball but left out Scraggy for a moment.

"I am going to stay in Ecruteak for a few days, a week at most." Cilan said looking back to the city. "You know, really take in the sites and scenes, talk with some people, maybe even challenge the gym to get a feel for Johto Pokémon and styles."

"Such a little kid." Iris said shaking her head with a sad smile. "Well when you reach Blackthorn tell me ok, I will be there for a while learning all I can from the Dragon Clan."

"And getting use to ice." Ash said with a laugh at the shiver of fear that went through Iris at the mention of the bane of Dragon types. "The Ice Cave is nearby if I recall."

"Yes it is." Iris said after a moment. "And another reason why I need to be there. I need to get used to ice if I am to truly be a Dragon Master."

"Don't worry Iris, I will come and see you whenever I make it to Blackthorn." Cilan promised. "My plans will change as new fragrances and ingredients are found but I will see it all and Blackthorn is definitely one of many places I want to see."

"Ok, well I had better be off, it will be a long flight to Blackthorn." Iris said as she pulled out a Poke Ball. "Dragonite, come on out."

She threw it in the air and it broke open. In a flash of white light, Iris's Dragon Pokémon emerge and stood there, arms folded, pleased to be out of its ball.

"I will fly a little of the way with you." Ash said as he too pulled out a Poke Ball. "Before I head to Silver Town. Charizard, I choose you."

Charizard materialized in a moment before greeting Ash with a loving flamethrower to the face that knocked a now charred Ash to the ground. He then noticed Dragonite standing there and the two powerful, fully evolved Pokémon stared at one another for a moment before exchanging nods of mutual respect.

"Axew, it is time to say bye." Iris said wiping her eyes. "We will see them again, I know it."

"Ax, Axew." Axew said sadly before he turned and ran towards Scraggy.

"Scraggy." Scraggy said and embraced his best friend, both teary eyed at the parting. "Scraggy."

Eventually they broke apart and after one last look, Axew ran and jumped into Iris's hair. Ash then returned Scraggy to his Poke Ball as he couldn't fly with the Pokémon. Then he turned and offered his hand to Cilan.

"Until we meet again, S-Class Connoisseur Cilan." Ash said as they shook.

"Until we meet again, Pokémon Master Ash." Cilan said with a sad smile.

"Dragon Master Iris." Ash said offering his hands.

"Oh stop being so formal you two." Iris said and she embraced both in a hug. "Come here guys."

They stood like that for a moment. Finally they disengaged and Iris and Ash climbed onto their Pokémon. With one last wave at Cilan before he returned to Ecruteak City, they both took off, the two flying types soring into the air, showing off to each other in a display of raw power, each trying to outdo the other.

"Alright Charizard, it is time to head to Silver Town again." Ash said patting his old friend on the neck. "Remember that place."

"Char." Charizard said as he belched flame into the air.

"Come on Dragonite, it is time to see our kin." Iris said as she pointed to the horizon. "Onto Blackthorn City. Goodbye Ash, we will meet again."

"That we will Iris." Ash called out as they began to separate, heading in their own directions.

"Go get your love." Iris called out. "You little kid."

Ash just smiled and waved at his friend one last time as she set off to continue her own path to become a Dragon Master. Ash watched Dragonite disappear before he and Charizard were alone and soaring through the skies once again. They had their own journey to make and it would take a while to get to Silver Town but Ash had the time to do so.


The next few days were spent with Pikachu and Charizard as they flew across the Johto region to Silver Town. It was in that time that Ash had the chance to think and plan his strategy for what to do when he finally got there. As much as he wanted to run to wherever Misty was and see her again, he didn't want to distract her during the Grand Festival. She would be in the zone and he was worried his presence, especially unannounced, would not help her.

Instead Ash decided that he wanted to surprise Misty after the Grand Festival. He wanted to watch her perform as he had many times before, but he wouldn't reveal himself and stay away from her until it was over.

That meant sleeping rough outside the city, until it was time to make his move. Ash also had to prepare for the Grand Festival and know what was going on so that meant finding out as much as possible about it before he even entered Silver Town.

In order to do so, Ash stopped off for a few days, he had the time to spare thanks to Charizard's incredibly speed, at a small village with a single inn and no Pokémon Center to find out more. Seeing as the Grand Festival was almost upon them, it was all anyone could talk about and Ash was easily able to find out all he needed to about the Grand Festival there.

He learned that there were 64 competitors competing in the appeals round and they came from all 5 regions Ash had visited, including the first even Unova coordinator to qualify for a Grand Festival. Of those 64, 16 would advance to the battle stage with both stages being double stages. It was something Ash knew Misty worked hard on to make them the best possible and was excited to see what new combinations she had come up with. In total, the competition would run 3 days and Ash couldn't wait.

He decided to make the small village his base camp while there as it was close enough to Silver Town to get to on Charizard with about an hour or so of flying and he needed to stay away so that he didn't tip off Misty. He was really looking forward to surprising her when she won. The very thought of seeing her again was making him giddy. Just knowing he was so close to her made his heart beat faster and the pain was more intense as he couldn't see her.

While in the village, Ash did risk going to Silver Town once though, the day before the Grand Festival, to pick up a full 3 day pass and a program so that he would be ready when tournament started. As he knew the layout of Silver Town from his time there in the Silver Conference, he knew to avoid the main Pokémon Center where Misty would be, as well as all the practice facilities.

Ash was quick, efficient and kept his hat low as he got what he needed, constantly keeping an eye out to make sure he wasn't spotted. While Ash didn't know many coordinators, any who had been on the Sinnoh circuit 2 years ago when he was there would easily know him as he was always there cheering on Misty until her heartbreaking loss to Zoe in the finals.

All in all, Ash got what he needed and got back without a problem. He hadn't been spotted, he was now ready to watch Misty compete and soon he would see her again in person. What he did when that happened was still unknown but Ash knew it would be special.

He called out Charizard and left, looking forward to the start of the Grand Festival the next day. He knew Misty would dominate and he couldn't wait. Thoughts of her were all he had as he left, not noticing the middle aged woman with a large amount of blue hair emerging from a nearby takeout restaurant as he left.


"I am certain that that was Ash, what is he doing her?" Johanna asked herself as she watched Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu fly off on a Charizard, a package that could only contain tickets and a program disappearing into his bag as he left.

Johanna had come to Silver Town the day before to be with her daughter and prepare her for the upcoming Grand Festival as Misty had traveled Johto alone. She was looking forward to watching Misty compete again and hoped that this time she would do better than in Sinnoh. She had also brought Misty a special gift for her outfit, one she knew that Misty would like and wear with pride.

Right now Misty was doing some last minute practice with her Pokémon for the appeals stage, she had something special planned and wouldn't let anyone see it. Therefore Johanna had gone out to grab some dinner for them and then see if Misty needed any help with her routine. It had been as she was passing the stadium to get dinner that she saw a raven haired boy with a Pikachu on his shoulder. She had known at once that it was Ash.

She had been about to call out to him when she noticed that he was constantly looking around and hurrying towards the stadium. Curious, Johanna followed the boy, the takeout place was nearby anyway, so why not find out why Ash was here.

It was odd that he was being secretive. Ash had taken her Misty around Sinnoh so why would he not see her while here? Johanna knew that Misty would love to see him seeing as her daughter had a massive crush on Ash, one that had gotten stronger after their meeting in Unova. A mother could tell, though the fact that Misty barely shut up about Ash helped point it out.

Ash wasn't being suspicious at least, just cautious, as if he didn't want to be noticed despite likely knowing next to no one here. Then she saw him with a ticket packet and getting on a powerful looking Charizard and leaving. That was when it Mistyed on her, pun intended.

Ash had come here to support Misty, she knew it as the Unova League had ended a few weeks ago while Misty was getting her 5th ribbon. She had heard it was over and that Ash wasn't in the final from Misty but she had not expected Ash to make it all the way here to support Misty as soon as he was done in Unova. It got her motherly instincts running and she could only think of one reason why Ash would come here and be secretive about it, he shared Misty's feelings.

Johanna smiled at that. She was glad that Ash felt the same way about her daughter as she did about him. They would make a good couple if they could admit their feelings to one another. Clearly Ash had a plan and who was she to get in his way. She would just have to keep an eye on him that's all so that he could stay hidden until he chose to reveal himself. She would keep his secret and let him do what he came to do.

Happy that Misty had more than her mother supporting her, though not knowing it, Johanna turned and headed back to be with her daughter. The Grand Festival was going to be interesting that was for sure and Johanna was looking forward to how it was going to play out. Hopefully everything went right for Misty this time, she deserved it.

However, right now, Misty had to focus on winning. After that, well fate had a way of helping out when it came to matters of the heart. As Johanna reached the Pokémon Center she shifted gears. It was game time and the Grand Festival awaited. Misty's time had come.