This ti, the incident had co to a perfect conclusion.
Sheena and her brother Kevin were deeply grateful to Ash, Dawn, and Cynthia for all they had done.
The trio stayed one more day in Michina Town, during which Sheena and Kevin went out of their way to host them with great hospitality.
Cynthia, anwhile, spent her ti at the Temple of Michina, carefully recording her observations.
As a Champion, Cynthia already knew much of the truth. She understood what could be docunted—and what needed to stay secret. Her sense of judgnt was sharp.
This experience left Cynthia feeling that her connection with Ash had grown stronger—particularly in their shared insights into history and ti-space theory. Their thinking seed to sync more naturally now.
After leaving Michina, the three of them headed back to Twinleaf Town, Dawn's hotown.
There, Johanna was already waiting for her daughter to return.
To her surprise, not only did Dawn return with Ash, but also with Cynthia, the famous Champion of the Sinnoh region. Naturally, Johanna was delighted.
And when she saw that Cynthia and Dawn had grown close, she was even happier for her daughter.
After all, Cynthia's popularity in Sinnoh was unmatched—the most beloved figure in the region by far.
They shared a warm lunch at Dawn's ho.
But soon, it was ti to part ways again.
Dawn found herself reflecting on the journey she had shared with Ash. mories flowed one after another, and parting felt deeply painful.
But she was no longer the girl who used to cheerfully shout "No problem!" while facing countless problems.
She was stronger now, with a clear goal in her heart.
Her dream? To beco the best of the top Coordinators, even surpassing her mother—to be the greatest there ever was.
Coincidentally, that was the sa dream as May's—to beco the most powerful Top Coordinator.
Piplup also hated to see Ash and Pikachu go.
The little guy was sniffling, teary-eyed, refusing to let them leave.
Ash knelt beside Piplup, pulling him aside for a quiet conversation.
"Piplup, you really like and Pikachu, don't you?"
"Pip-lup!"
The penguin nodded without hesitation.
"Well, here's the thing," Ash said gently. "Lately, the situations we've been getting into have been really dangerous. What if sothing happens—like this ti, when we traveled through ti—and I couldn't make it back? We might've had to stay in the past forever."
Ash gave a small, mock warning—just to tease him a bit.
The truth was, with Ash's current strength, he could definitely protect those around him.
But Dawn needed to learn to handle things on her own—just like Misty and May had. It was the only way she could truly grow.
"So you need to get stronger too. If one day, you beco as strong as we are, then we'll all be able to stay together forever. And hey, I really care about Dawn. I'd hate to see her get hurt. That's why… when I'm not around, I'm counting on you to protect her. Okay?"
Just a few words were enough to convince Piplup completely.
He puffed up his chest and gave Ash a determined nod. "Piplup!!"
With that promise, Piplup stopped crying and accepted the farewell.
Next… was Dawn herself.
She didn't want to say goodbye. Not at all. But she knew that sotis, short partings were necessary.
Cynthia, always tactful, quietly stepped away to give them space.
Suddenly, Dawn took a deep breath, gathering her courage.
Then—without a word, without any warning—
She leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Ash's cheek.
The next second, her face turned bright red. Like a little monkey in full blush mode, she bolted for the door, racing up the stairs to her bedroom.
She knew if she didn't run now… she'd never be able to resist doing more.
Ash stood there, watching her retreating figure with a soft smile.
Go for it, Dawn. I believe in you.
As he walked away, Dawn remained upstairs, still wondering:
Did Ash not have anything he wanted to say to ?
Then, on the desk in her room—she spotted an envelope.
There was no na on it.
No sender.
Not even a line saying who it was ant for.
But she knew—it was a ssage ant only for her. For their story.
"Our parting is only temporary—
so that we may et again, better than before.
Every mory we've shared is as precious as a pearl,
and the bond between us is as brilliant as a diamond.
I won't forget a single mont.
Let those mories and bonds guide and protect you.
I'll be waiting—
For the day you achieve your dream.
Then, together, we'll visit that Gracidea flower field once more…
…to watch the shimring Sky Bouquet bloom."
——
In that mont, Dawn's eyes welled with tears, red and shimring.
"Ash… I understand. I'll work hard. I promise. But you have to work hard too… okay?"
She whispered through the tears.
"We still don't know what your ultimate goal really is… but we'll always believe in you. Support you, unconditionally. Keep going, Ash."
…
Downstairs, Johanna suddenly noticed her Glaow staring up toward Dawn's room.
Faintly, from upstairs, ca the soft sounds of quiet sobbing.
"ow… ow-wu~"
Glaow looked a little worried.
But Johanna had been with Glaow for many years—she understood her partner's thoughts instantly.
"It's okay, Glaow. This is perfectly normal," Johanna said with a knowing smile.
"Parting ways with a journey companion… it's always the mories that hurt the most. I felt the sa way once, too."
She sighed warmly.
"And besides, as a Coordinator, Dawn's finally catching up to . Glaow, I'm really looking forward to the day she surpasses completely. Aren't you?"
"ow-wu!"
Glaow licked its paw and nodded.
Of course… Johanna didn't know that this parting between Dawn and Ash wasn't just about traveling companions.
There was sothing more.
—
On the road…
Cynthia gave Ash a curious glance. "You seem to get along really well with every girl."
She had spent enough ti in Pallet Town, chatting with Professor Oak, even visiting Ash's ho. The way those girls looked at Ash—their eyes, their reactions…
It said everything.
Ash thought for a mont.
Then casually countered:
"And what about you?"
Cynthia paused.
Her expression froze—just for a second.
Then her gaze softened, turning distant… dreamy.
Finally, she whispered:
"…Just fine."
Just fine?
What did she an?
Hmm.
Think about it. Carefully.
—
Author's Note:
What a wonderful sinnoh journey it has been!
The Sinnoh arc ends here. New adventures begin tomorrow.
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T/N:
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