Hi, everyone! I know it's been a long time since I continued the story, but work has been really exhausting, and I also had writer's block with this chapter. However, we're getting close to an important moment. Without further ado, I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 14 - An Indirect Date
Chloe's days used to be very monotonous compared to the whirlwind of events in recent months. Getting more involved with Ash had led her to try new things, step out of her comfort zone, and overcome limits she didn't even know she had. However, she had committed to new challenges. One of them was preparing the school festival entirely by chance, so she knew she had to give it her all along with her friends Mika and Violet to organize the best festival possible.
The problem was that she and her friends couldn't agree on anything, especially the theme.
"No, this isn't going to work," Chloe exclaimed in frustration, tearing up the paper where the idea had been written and adding it to the trash can already overflowing with their previous rejected proposals.
"I don't see what was wrong with that last idea, Chloe," Mika said, sounding resigned about making any progress with the festival planning. Like her, Violet was already feeling somewhat frustrated that they hadn't managed to agree on anything.
"Mika, getting Fire-type Pokémon to put on a show and also handle fireworks could be really dangerous. I don't think it would look good if we ended up destroying the gym," Chloe replied with sarcasm, pointing out the obvious flaw in the plan. However, Mika still defended her idea of doing something dazzling and explosive.
"Hey, it would definitely be something nobody would ever forget," Mika argued, defending her brilliant but crazy idea. Her two friends sighed, knowing all too well that their dear Mika could be a bit extreme.
"Chloe, there are only two months left until the festival. If we don't come up with something soon, we might not be able to pull it off," Violet pointed out the obvious in her characteristically emotionless tone.
Chloe let out a deep sigh, pressing her hands against her temples as she tried to calm herself. However, the frustration kept weighing on her, growing stronger with every discarded idea. She wasn't just worried about finding something that worked; the thought of disappointing the entire school was starting to take over her mind.
She couldn't bear the idea of proving what Sabrina always insinuated about her: that she was too boring, lacked creativity, and simply wasn't cut out to lead something as important as the festival.
"If we keep this up, we're just going to prove Sabrina was right," Chloe muttered quietly, but loud enough for Mika and Violet to hear.
"What are you talking about? That's not true!" Mika exclaimed, stepping closer to Chloe with a determined look. "Just because Sabrina is good at giving orders doesn't mean she's better than you. You always put your all into everything you do! Don't let those thoughts get into your head."
Violet crossed her arms, looking at Chloe with her calm yet serious gaze. "Chloe, none of us think you're boring. Not Mika, not me, not Ash… But if you keep doubting yourself, you're going to hold us all back. We need you to trust your decisions."
Those words struck a nerve in Chloe. She knew Violet was right, but the weight of expectations still crushed her. How could she convince others if she couldn't even convince herself?
Both of them knew the pressure was already getting to Chloe, and they couldn't let that happen. At that moment, Talia, Chloe's mother, came out of the kitchen. She could tell that the festival planning wasn't going well for her daughter and her friends, so she decided to help them.
"Girls, you know, whenever I run out of ideas for my designs, I look for inspiration outside. Take a look at this," Talia said as she shared her idea with the girls.
They all looked at the flyer in her hands.
"There's a festival at the city port today. I think it's a cultural festival showcasing the different regions of the world. It's the first time it's coming to Vermilion City, but I think it could be great inspiration for your school festival," Talia said confidently.
That idea immediately caught Mika and Violet's attention.
That's an amazing idea! We've been stuck here for hours and haven't come up with anything. Maybe seeing all those different cultures will help us think of something unique!"
Violet nodded in agreement, her calm demeanor contrasting Mika's enthusiasm. "It makes sense. If we can't think of anything here, changing our environment might spark some creativity. Plus, we'll get a clearer idea of how to make our festival stand out."
Chloe, however, wasn't so easily convinced. She crossed her arms and furrowed her brow, glancing at the overflowing trash can full of rejected ideas. "I don't know… What if it's just a waste of time? We only have two months left, and spending an entire evening out feels… irresponsible."
Talia placed a gentle hand on Chloe's shoulder, smiling warmly. "Sweetheart, sometimes stepping away from a problem is the best way to solve it. If you keep pushing yourself like this, you'll only get more frustrated. Besides, this is about inspiration, not avoiding the work."
"Yeah, Chloe!" Mika added, grabbing her by the hand. "Think of it as research! Plus, who knows? It could be fun."
Even Violet chimed in, her tone as steady as ever. "It's not like we're giving up on the festival. We're just giving ourselves a new perspective. And it's better than sitting here, doing nothing productive."
Chloe looked at her mother and her friends, who were all clearly on board with the idea. Despite her hesitation, their words began to sink in
She let out a reluctant sigh. "Alright, fine. Let's go to the festival. But if this doesn't work, we're doubling down tomorrow!"
"That's the spirit!" Mika cheered, practically dragging Chloe toward the door.
Talia chuckled softly as she watched them get ready. "Don't worry, Chloe. Sometimes the best ideas come from the most unexpected places. Just go and enjoy yourselves."
As they left the house and headed toward the bustling port of Vermilion City, Chloe couldn't help but wonder if this would really help. Still, she decided to put her doubts aside. After all, what could go wrong?
"I don't think I was expecting this," Chloe exclaimed upon seeing that the small festival her mother had told them about was a tourist attraction. The whole area of the city was crowded, it seemed like everyone in town wanted to learn more about the cultures from other regions, and the city had invested a lot of money into the stalls and attractions.
"This is incredible, girls! How did we almost miss something like this?" Mika exclaimed excitedly, spinning around.
"Mika, there were flyers announcing the festival at school all week. I think you're the one who didn't notice it before," Violet replied, reminding Mika how absent-minded she could be.
Meanwhile, Chloe was scanning the entire place, looking for inspiration to create her own school festival.
The three friends began wandering through the festival, marveling at the vibrant array of stalls. The tantalizing aroma of food led them to a section dedicated to gastronomy, where they saw booths offering dishes from different regions. Mika immediately gravitated toward a stand serving colorful skewers of grilled vegetables and spiced meat.
"Chloe, Violet, you have to try this!" she said, already pulling out her wallet.
Violet didn't seem as excited about the food, once again showing how stoic she could be. On the other hand, a literature stall caught her attention. They had a variety of literature from the Sinnoh region and, to her delight, some romance novels. Without saying a word, she walked over to the book stall.
Chloe remained quiet, soaking in the atmosphere. Her attention shifted to another section, where artisans were displaying their crafts. Handmade jewelry, carved wooden figurines, and woven fabrics showcased the diversity of their creators' talents. Chloe's fingers traced the patterns of a vibrant textile as she admired the effort and skill behind it.
After admiring the various crafts, Chloe's attention was drawn to some curious clay figurines. There were four figures sharing the same base, resembling Pokémon encircling a small circular shape. She found the craftsmanship incredible, the level of detail making it seem as though they were dancing.
"Excuse me, ma'am, could you tell me more about these figurines?" Chloe asked with curiosity.
The owner of the stall smiled warmly at Chloe's question. "Ah, these figurines are a traditional craft from the Alola region," she explained, carefully picking up the piece to show Chloe the intricate details. "They represent a local legend, though I must admit I don't know the full story behind them. I'm not originally from Alola myself."
She set the figurine back down gently, her gaze softening with nostalgia. "I traded for these a few years ago with a traveling artisan. They told me the figures represent harmony and unity, but beyond that, I didn't learn much. I couldn't resist their beauty, though. Look at the way they seem to dance around the central piece—it feels so alive, doesn't it?"
Chloe found the figurines fascinating and, out of sheer curiosity, asked about their price.
"Oh, I can let you have them for a good price," the stall owner said with a kind smile. "They've been with me for a long time, and I can see they've really caught your eye."
They quickly reached a fair deal, and Chloe decided to buy the figurines, carefully placing them in her backpack. With her new treasure secured, she turned and began weaving through the crowds, searching for her friends.
Chloe struggled to navigate through the dense crowd, her eyes darting in every direction as she searched for her friends. The bustling festival seemed to swell around her, making it nearly impossible to move without brushing against someone.
Just as she tried to squeeze past a particularly lively group, someone bumped into her shoulder, throwing her off balance. Chloe gasped, stumbling forward. She braced herself for the inevitable fall, but instead of hitting the ground, she landed against something—or rather, someone.
Strong arms steadied her before she could fall completely. "Whoa, are you okay?" a voice asked, warm and concerned.
Chloe immediately began apologizing, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was—" She froze mid-sentence as her eyes met his.
It took her a moment to register what she was seeing, but when she did, her breath caught in her throat. It was Ash. His familiar, kind eyes looked at her with a mixture of surprise and amusement.
"Ash?" she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Chloe?" he replied, his lips curving into a grin. "I didn't expect to run into you—literally."
Chloe straightened herself, still a little flustered. "I-I didn't expect to run into you either. What are you doing here?"
"Well, do you really think staying cooped up in the lab while we've got a festival like this in the city was a good idea?" Ash asked sarcastically, with Pikachu nodding in agreement from his shoulder.
"Good point. Hey, where's Goh? Didn't he come with you?" she asked, noticing the absence of Ash's childhood friend.
Ash didn't reply directly. Instead, he pointed toward some tables in another part of the festival. It turned out Goh had joined a Pokémon trivia contest. He might not have been the smartest in school, but when it came to Pokémon knowledge, he was without a doubt an expert.
"I've never seen Goh so interested in something that actually made him think," Chloe exclaimed, remembering how little interest her friend usually had in academics. Ash chuckled at her little joke.
"I could say the same about you. You're pretty stubborn when it comes to battles, remember?" Chloe shot back, reminding him of his own obsessions.
"I'm not going to argue with you, book worm" Ash replied, a grin on his face. "But tell me, what are you doing here? Did you run out of books to read?" He teased, recalling their old routine of playfully bantering.
Chloe rolled her eyes at Ash's teasing. "I'm actually here for a school project about different cultures," she said quickly, trying to sound casual. "I don't have time to waste messing around with you."
Ash raised an eyebrow, sensing something wasn't quite right. He could tell by the way Chloe avoided eye contact that she wasn't being entirely truthful. A thought crossed his mind, and his grin widened.
"You sure about that?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. Sounds like you're just trying to get out of hanging out."
Chloe's expression shifted, and she sighed, realizing she couldn't pull one over on him. "Alright, fine. I'm actually here to get inspiration for my school's festival. I'm in charge of organizing it, and I need some ideas."
Ash's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah, I remember that. So you're the one running the show, huh?" he said, impressed. "That sounds like a lot of work."
Yeah, I was supposed to come here with my friends to find inspiration for the festival theme, but they got too caught up in the event, and I lost them. Now I don't know what to do," Chloe admitted as she sat down on a bench.
Ash could tell she was worried. It was something he had learned to notice over time, watching his friends face challenges during his travels. While many of his friends used to think he was clueless, Ash had matured and become more aware of these things.
"Hey, don't worry," he said, trying to reassure her. "I know you always want to do your best, but for this, you need to be smart about it. Think about what would really make an impact and what everyone would enjoy."
"I know, Ash, but it's easy for you to say," Chloe replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "You've traveled all over the world more than once. You've already experienced the cultures of all the regions and seen what's fun. I've only just started stepping out of the city thanks to missions with you and Goh."
In a way, she was right. It was easy for him to give advice, considering all the festivals he had experienced firsthand across various regions. Still, an idea was beginning to form in his mind. After all, this festival had so much to offer.
"Well," Ash said with a confident grin, "maybe we can figure something out together. This place might just have the spark you're looking for."
Without saying another word, Ash reached out and took Chloe's hand, gently pulling her to her feet.
Chloe was caught completely off guard, her cheeks flushing a bright pink as she stumbled to stand. "A-Ash, what are you doing?" she stammered, her voice a mix of surprise and embarrassment.
Ash turned to her with his usual confident grin. "Come on, sitting here won't help you get any closer to figuring out your festival. Let's take a look around together. Who knows? Maybe we'll find exactly what you need."
Chloe blinked, still trying to process the suddenness of it all. "You could've just said something instead of grabbing my hand like that," she mumbled, her voice flustered but not entirely annoyed.
Ash chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, you looked like you needed a little nudge. Come on, Chloe, let's find something amazing for your festival."
Still holding her hand, he began leading her through the bustling festival. Chloe, torn between embarrassment and amusement, followed, her heart pounding faster than she cared to admit.
"You're so impulsive, Ash," she muttered, trying to regain her composure.
"Yeah, but that's part of my charm, isn't it?" he teased, flashing her a playful grin. Pikachu chirped in agreement from his shoulder, and Chloe couldn't help but laugh softly despite herself.
"Alright, fine," she said with a small smile. "Let's see what we can find."
They started walking around the festival while Ash explained a bit about the histories and cultures of those regions. Chloe admitted that the boy was an expert when it came to history and culture; he had already proven it that time he helped her with her homework.
They strolled through the booths as Ash shared stories from his own experiences during his travels or legends from the folklore of some lesser-known towns and cities. Although she would never admit it out of pride, Chloe found Ash very cute when he showed his knowledge about the world.
"Look, this is a decoration from Alamos Town, a beautiful town in the Sinnoh region," Ash explained, showing a small tower with gears—a little souvenir from one of his most dangerous adventures, though he was leaving that part out.
"You have an answer for everything, don't you?" Chloe replied jokingly.
"Oh, look who's talking, brainiac. Shutting you up is harder than winning a gym battle," Ash shot back, returning the joke. They both started bickering, as they usually did.
They kept arguing in a loud and maybe romantic way, not realizing that Chloe's two missing friends were spying on them.
"Oh wow, they really have great chemistry, those two," Mika exclaimed excitedly, undoubtedly shipping them together.
""I must say, those two couldn't be more different, completely incompatible… but it's just like in all my romance novels, which means they're destined for each other," Violet exclaimed with overwhelming devotion. She had those emotional outbursts whenever she talked about her passion for romance novels, to which Mika could only sigh with a sweat drop forming on the back of her head.
Ash and Chloe continued strolling through the festival, enjoying the colorful booths and lively atmosphere. Chloe's attention was soon caught by a group of jugglers performing an impressive routine nearby.
When she turned back, Ash was nowhere to be seen. Her chest tightened as she scanned the crowd, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Ash? Where did you go?" she muttered to herself.
Just as she was about to take a step forward to search for him, a familiar voice called out from behind her.
"Looking for me?"
Chloe spun around quickly. But before she could scold him for disappearing, she froze. Ash was standing there, a small bouquet of pink flowers in his hands, a sheepish grin on his face.
"Sorry if I worried you," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I saw these and thought… well, you might like them."
Chloe stared at him, her face turning bright red. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words refused to come out. She took the flowers hesitantly, her hands trembling slightly.
"Y-You didn't have to… I mean, these are… they're pretty," she stammered, looking down to hide her flustered expression.
Ash chuckled, his easygoing demeanor not faltering.
"Well, you said you liked pink the other day, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get you something that matched. These are Gracidea flowers, something special for people you care."
Chloe's eyes widened, and her blush deepened.
"You… you remembered that?" she asked softly, still avoiding his gaze.
"Of course I did," Ash replied with a warm smile. "I pay attention, you know."
Chloe couldn't stop the small smile that formed onto her face as she clutched the bouquet closer to her chest. For a moment, she forgot about the bustling festival around them, completely focused on the boy who had just left her flustered and, somehow, a little happy.
Before I could formulate a response, one of the organizers on stage made an announcement to everyone present. "Sorry for the interruption, but we are asking the audience if there is any pair of trainers willing to support us in the exhibition match of the festival, as the other challengers had an incident and will not be able to compete. If anyone is interested, please come to the information booth," the organizer announced.
"Wow, that sounds really interesting for someone like you," Chloe said, amazed at how battles seemed to always follow Ash.
"Yeah, I think so, but I believe Goh is still a bit busy," Ash replied, looking in the distance where there was a commotion because Goh was still struggling to win the Pokémon trivia.
Chloe, sensing an opportunity, walked up to Ash with a playful smile. "Hey, Ash, what do you think about teaming up with me for the match? I know I'm not really into battles, but I want to return the favor for all the help you gave me when you trained me for the Pokémon contest."
Ash was taken aback, knowing that Chloe wasn't typically keen on battling. However, a big smile appeared on his face. "Really? That sounds awesome, Chloe! I'd love to team up with you!"
Chloe gave a confident nod. "Yeah, let's do it! It'll be a good chance to learn something new, and I think it could be fun."
Ash, thrilled by the idea, eagerly agreed. "Great! I'm sure we'll make a great team."
They quickly headed to the information booth, where the organizer greeted them excitedly. "I'm so happy you decided to join! We're looking forward to your match – it's going to be a great event."
"Okay, how bad can it go, haha... please, don't let me mess this up," Chloe said, now more nervous about getting involved in a battle in front of all those people.
"Don't worry, this is going to be fun. Just follow our plan, and you'll see, we'll beat them," Ash said, trying to reassure her with his confidence.
Ash and Chloe took their positions on the battlefield, surrounded by the cheers and applause of the crowd filling the arena. Opposite them stood their opponents: a pair of fighters from the Unova region. With confident movements, they sent out their Pokémon: Throh and Sawk, two strong and disciplined combatants.
Chloe swallowed hard as she saw the imposing presence of the Fighting-type Pokémon. "Ash... those two look really strong. Are you sure we can do this?"
Ash gave her a calm smile as Pikachu stepped forward with determination. "Of course, Chloe. Just remember the plan. You and Eevee can do it. Trust your instincts!"
Chloe took a deep breath, watching her Eevee leap onto the field, ready to fight. "Alright, Eevee. I trust you!"
The referee raised the flag and announced the start of the match. "Let the battle begin!"
The Unova trainers wasted no time. Sawk's trainer shouted, "Sawk, use Double Kick on Eevee!" Meanwhile, Throh's trainer commanded, "Throh, use Seismic Toss on Pikachu!"
Ash reacted quickly. "Pikachu, dodge and use Thunderbolt to stop Throh!" Pikachu moved nimbly, avoiding Throh's attack and releasing an electric shock that made it stumble back a few steps.
Meanwhile, Chloe, with her heart racing, remembered what Ash had told her about staying calm. "Eevee, dodge and use Shadow Ball!" Eevee rolled out of the way just in time, creating a dark sphere that struck Sawk, forcing it to retreat.
"Great job, Chloe!" Ash exclaimed, cheering her on. "Let's keep it up!"
The opponents adjusted their strategy. "Throh, use Vital Throw on Pikachu!" and "Sawk, counter with Karate Chop on Eevee!" This time, their attacks were faster and more coordinated.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack to deflect Throh!" Ash shouted. Pikachu moved like lightning, crashing into Throh and throwing it off balance.
However, Sawk's assault couldn't be stopped, and its attack landed a super-effective hit on Eevee. "No, Eevee!" Chloe exclaimed, worried.
"Chloe, don't lose focus! Remember how you did in the contest!" Ash shouted. She quickly recalled how she and Eevee had given their all in the second-to-last round of the contest and had risen to the occasion.
With a deep breath, Chloe steadied herself. "You're right, Ash. Eevee, I know you can get back up!" Eevee, though weakened, struggled to its feet
Ash took the opportunity to rally the team. "Let's turn this around! Pikachu, use Iron Tail to block Throh's next move!" Pikachu leaped into action, its tail glowing silver as it intercepted Throh's attack, pushing it back.
Chloe followed Ash's lead. "Eevee, let's try the combination we practiced! Use Quick Attack, then Shadow Ball!" Eevee dashed forward at lightning speed, weaving around Sawk's defenses before launching a powerful Shadow Ball at close range. The move landed with precision, pushing Sawk back and dealing significant damage.
Taking advantage of their small size, both Pokémon ran in different directions to distract their opponents. The two Fighting-types couldn't keep up with Pikachu and Eevee. As a result, they decided to take more drastic measures.
"Enough, quickly Throh, use Bulldoze!" one of the fighters ordered desperately. Throh obeyed and, with a powerful slam, shook the entire battlefield, knocking Pikachu and Eevee off balance and dealing heavy damage to both.
"Finish them off with Double Kick, Sawk!" his partner continued. Sawk used Throh as a springboard, leaping into the air and landing two powerful kicks on Pikachu and Eevee, leaving them both severely weakened.
Chloe froze for a moment, her nerves getting the best of her as she saw Eevee struggling to get back up. The strength of their opponents was overwhelming, and she could feel the pressure mounting. But then she glanced at Ash.
He wasn't panicking. Instead, he stood firm, his expression calm and filled with determination. When their eyes met, he gave her a reassuring smile that spoke by itlsef.
Chloe felt a wave of confidence wash over her. She took a deep breath and nodded back at Ash. "Alright, Eevee, we're not done yet. Let's show them what we're made of!"
Ash capitalized on the moment. "Pikachu, combine Iron Tail with Electro Ball!" Pikachu leaped into the air, spinning its glowing tail to charge up the Electro Ball, and hurled it directly at Throh. The attack landed with precision, sending Throh staggering back.
"Eevee, finish it off with Swift!" Chloe shouted. Eevee unleashed a barrage of glowing stars that zeroed in on Sawk and Throh simultaneously. Both Fighting-types were caught in the attack, forcing them onto the defensive.
The crowd roared with excitement as the tide of the battle began to shift. Chloe felt her confidence growing with every passing second. Come on, Chloe, you can do it, girl!" Mika shouted excitedly, watching the battle alongside Violet.
"Chloe, let's end this together!" Ash called out, his voice brimming with energy. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Chloe nodded, fully in sync. "Eevee, use Shadow Ball!"
The combined force of Pikachu's powerful Thunderbolt and Eevee's Shadow Ball collided with their opponents in a dazzling explosion of energy. When the dust settled, both Throh and Sawk were down, unable to continue.
The referee raised their flag. "The winners are Ash and Chloe!"
Chloe gasped, disbelief and joy mixing as the realization hit her. She looked at Eevee, who was equally exhausted but overjoyed, and then at Ash, who gave her a triumphant thumbs-up.
"You see?" Ash said with a big smile. "I told you we'd make a great team."
Chloe laughed, her earlier nerves now replaced with pride. "We did it, Eevee! We really did it!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as the duo celebrated their hard-fought victory.
Both thanked their opponents and the organization for giving them the opportunity to fight.
"Wow, I really can't believe I won a battle," Chloe exclaimed, still excited about what she had just done.
"I have to say, I was also surprised. Even with a rookie like you, I was able to beat them," Ash said sarcastically.
"Hey, I did more than you," Chloe replied angrily.
"Haha, sure, whatever," Ash replied, laughing, returning to their usual dynamic.
"Hey guys, what did I miss?" Goh asked, having no idea what had happened.
"Goh, seriously, you didn't see anything that happened?" Chloe exclaimed, very surprised at how distracted he was.
"Ahh no, I just finished the bingo, but I ended up winning," Goh explained.
"Alright, so what did you win?" Ash asked, curious to see what he had wanted so badly from the bingo.
"It took a lot of work, but I won this!" Goh exclaimed proudly, showing them a Pokémon keychain with a Scorbunny figure.
Both looked at the keychain in surprise, wondering how he could have fought so hard for something so small, but well, it was Goh they were talking about.
Ash and Chloe made their way to a nearby bench, their legs a little tired after the intense battle. They sat down, catching their breath.
"So, did you find any inspiration from all of this?" Ash asked, glancing over at Chloe with a curious look.
Chloe thought for a moment, her expression uncertain. "I'm not really sure… I guess I'm still processing everything." She looked down, trying to put her thoughts together. The excitement of the fight had been overwhelming, but it hadn't quite sparked the kind of creative idea she was hoping for.
Then, out of nowhere, her eyes brightened. She reached into her bag, rummaging through it until her fingers brushed against something smooth. She pulled out a small, intricately designed figurine and held it out to Ash.
Ash blinked in surprise, taking in the sight. "Whoa, that's awesome. I didn't know you were into collecting stuff like this."
Chloe smiled, her earlier uncertainty forgotten. "I'm not really a collector, but when I saw this, I just knew I had to get it.
"Hey, do you know what it means? The seller told me it was from the Alola region, but she wasn't sure about its history. She said it had something to do with some Pokémon," Chloe asked, since he knew a lot about the region from the time he spent there.
Ash carefully examined the figure of the statuette. It didn't take him long to realize he knew what it represented; in fact, he had seen it in person before. "This statuette represents an important event. It's only supposedly happened twice. It's the Dance of the Stars," Ash explained as he looked at the statuette.
Chloe tilted her heading with curiosity. "The Dance of the Stars? What is that, Ash?"
Ash held the statuette carefully, his expression thoughtful as he began to explain. "It's a sacred ritual from the Alola region. It's said to be performed by the four guardians of Alola—the Tapus: Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini. They come together in perfect harmony to perform a mystical dance. This dance isn't just a show or a tradition; it's meant to summon the stellar spirits, ancient cosmic energies that only appear under rare celestial conditions."
Chloe's eyes widened as she listened, captivated. "Why would they summon these spirits?
Ash nodded toward the statuette, the intricate details of the Tapus' dance "The spirits are called to help guide a Pokémon to its ultimate form. It's not an evolution in the usual sense—it's something much greater, almost mythical. The Pokémon chosen by the stellar spirits transforms into what the people of Alola call the herald of the sun or the herald of the moon."
Chloe blinked in awe. "The herald of the sun or the moon?
"Yes, those Pokemon are called Solgaleo and Lunala. The twin heralds of th cosmos. Capable of travel through dimensions." Ash explained remembering both Pokemon and their powerful abilities.
Chloe glanced back at the statuette, her imagination running wild. "That sounds… incredible. Have you ever seen it happen?"
"Yes, to help a friend and her mission. We helped a small Pokémon we called Nebby transform into the herald of the sun, Solgaleo. With its help, we were able to rescue my friend's mother and stop some dimensional creatures called Ultra Beasts. I'll never forget that moment—the combined power of the Tapus in a dance. It was almost like music created by them," Ash recounted, sharing the story of his adventure in Alola and the memory of his companion Nebby.
Chloe normally would've thought Ash was exaggerating or making it up. After all, who could really say they had witnessed such an extraordinary event? But as she looked at him, she saw the sincerity in his eyes. He wasn't bragging or trying to impress her—he was simply sharing a memory that meant the world to him. And with everything she'd learned about Ash, she knew it was true.
Ash had lived through so many adventures, seen the impossible, and faced challenges most people couldn't even imagine. Somehow, it made sense that he had been at the center of something as that.
"It's… incredible," Chloe said softly, her voice almost drowned out by her own thoughts. "You've been through so much, Ash. You've done things that most people wouldn't even dream of."
Ash scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "I guess I've been pretty lucky. But it wasn't just me—it was all the friends I've met along the way. I wouldn't have made it without them."
Chloe found herself smiling. She couldn't help it. Ash's humility and courage were captivating. They were so different—she preferred to analyze things, to think carefully before acting. Ash, on the other hand, charged into challenges with a heart full of determination and a belief that things would work out. Somehow, his reckless bravery didn't come across as foolish to her. Instead, it was cute.
Looking at the statuette, she thought about what Ash had said and how their dance represented harmony, just like music… music. "That's it… music, music brings everyone together."
"I think I know what it'll be about. Yes, it's going to be amazing," Chloe exclaimed, feeling very excited and happy to have found the answer.
Chloe turned to Ash with a big smile. "Thank you, Ash. You really helped me figure something out."
Ash tilted his head, slightly confused. "Huh? Helped you? I mean, I'm glad, but… what did I do?"
Chloe just laughed softly, shaking her head. "It doesn't matter. You were just being you, and that's what I needed." She felt a warmth in her chest—Ash had a way of inspiring her without even realizing it.
Before Ash could press further, Chloe's attention was drawn to the distance. Mika and Violet were waving at her, calling her over. "Chloe! Come on, we've got to get going!"
Chloe sighed, realizing it was time to leave. "Looks like I've got to go," she said, turning back to Ash. "But…" She paused, her expression softening. "There's something missing."
Ash blinked. "Missing? What do you mean?"
Chloe smiled mischievously. Summoning all her courage, she leaned toward Ash and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. The first time she had done it, she was nervous, but now she felt so comfortable and happy doing it.
Ash wasn't surprised this time. He appreciated the moment.
"I think I could get used to this," Ash whispered, giving her a warm smile. Chloe just blushed and walked away without saying another word.
Chloe rejoined her friends, now feeling very embarrassed and hoping they somehow hadn't seen her kiss the raven-haired boy. "Girls, I know exactly what to do for the festival. Let's go, we need to write this idea down quickly."
Her friends looked at her silently, but their expressions made it clear they had seen everything. "So, your little date with your boyfriend helped you find inspiration," Mika said, barely holding back her laughter.
"Mika, you know he and I are just friends," Chloe replied, trying unsuccessfully to justify herself.
"Sure, whatever you say, girl," Mika responded sarcastically.
The three of them walked back home together, but Chloe couldn't stop thinking. "I wouldn't call it a date. Maybe it was an indirect date… but honestly, I hope to have a real one soon."
Well, guys, I hope you liked it. Sorry again for taking so long, but I've been really busy. The next chapters will be much quicker to release. In fact, I already have another one written. Stay tuned!