One Love, One Heart

Chapter 26: Don't Stop Me Now

"Garchomp has fainted, meaning the new Sinnoh League Champion is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" the judge announced as the crowd cheered his name.

"Alright, we did it!" the new champion celebrated.

Cynthia walked towards him with a satisfied look, "Well done, Ash. I know you'll be Sinnoh's greatest champion ever. I want you to take this."

Ash received a badge from her that was made out of platinum and glistened in the sun. "What's this?" the auburn-eyed trainer asked the blonde.

"It's a symbol that proves that you are in the position of Sinnoh League Champion. It's one of its kind, and I hope you take good care of it," the former Sinnoh League Champion grinned at him.

"Look, Pikachu. We got the Sinnoh League Champ's symbol!" the happy Kanto trainer made it shine and sparkle on the battlefield.

"Pikachu!" the yellow mouse leaped into his arms.

"Ash, Ash, Ash, Ash!" everyone in the stadium yelled his name, including his friends Dawn and Brock.

"We finally did it," the teen held his friend tightly and petted him. Pikachu's fur felt soft and warm. It was the greatest day of his life, and nothing could bring it out of him until he felt something poking him.

Ash felt something poking his chest repeatedly as the chants of his name grew louder, "Ash! Ash! Ash!". He slowly opened his eyes and realized it was a dream. With sleepy eyes, he looked down and saw someone.

"Ash! I appreciate all the hugging, but you're suffocating me," the brunette poked his chest again.

The raven-haired boy was startled when he saw his arms wrapped around. "May!" Ash's eyes widened. When he frantically backed away, he fell from the bed.

"Ash!" the Petalburg girl looked down from the bed to find Ash rubbing his head.

"Morning," the brown-haired teen giggled at her silly Kanto friend.

"Morning, May," the raven-haired trainer greeted with a sheepish smile, trying to hide the pain from the fall. "Sorry for grabbing you in my sleep," the trainer laughed nervously.

"Don't worry about it, Ash," the Hoenn native grinned. She was enjoying it until he pressed her against him too hard.

The pair suddenly heard footsteps. "What's the commotion here?" Misty walked down the stairs, yawning.

"Misty!" the two stated simultaneously.

"What's up? Sleep well?" the gym leader asked.

"We were until Ash fell off the bed," May giggled.

Misty looked to the ground and saw Ash lying there. The gym leader lowered her head, "That explains the bang I heard." Ash and May continued laughing. The gym leader raised her eyebrows, "You guys didn't try anything last night, did you?"

Ash and May's faces blushed red with embarrassment over her comment. "No!" The pair retorted at the same time.

"Just making sure," the water trainer winked and giggled.

May and Ash shook off the comment, then moved on to another topic. "Hey Misty, did my fall wake my mom up?"

"No, she's a heavy sleeper. I don't know how she manages to wake up so early yet can't hear you fall off your bed like that," the Cerulean resident stated.

"How about we start making breakfast ourselves then," the brunette suggested to the others.

"But I don't know how to cook," the messy-haired boy told the two of them.