Day 3

Ash was currently chowing down on the all-you-can-eat breakfast. If you're wondering how much he ate, let's just say it was a good thing Arceus decided to get more food this year. We can also exclude the fact that Ash ate more than the entire creation trio combined…

"Do you always eat that much food?"

Ash turned to see Meloetta levitating near him.

"Don't worry," said Pikachu, "I've seen him eat more than that before,"

"How-" began Meloetta, "Never mind, I don't want to know,"

"What?" asked Ash, "Meeting all these Pokemon makes me hungry,"

"You say that about everything!" said Pikachu.

"I don't!"

"Then name one thing you haven't said you get hungry from," replied Pikachu.

"Umm…" said Ash, "Eating doesn't make me hungry!"

Pikachu and Meloetta sweatdropped.

"Anyway," said Meloetta, "thanks for helping me and Riley in Unova Ash. It means a lot,"

"Hey, no problem," said Ash, "Team Rocket doesn't need any more power, especially the power of three legendary Pokemon,"

"Speaking of Team Rocket," said Meloetta, "are those three still following you?"

"Yep," said Ash, "they still haven't given up,"

"Wow, that's persistent," said Meloetta.

"Yeah, but we're kinda frenemies," said Ash, "Most of the time they try to steal Pikachu, but sometimes they're actually kinda helpful."

"Hmm, maybe that's why I couldn't sense any evil in them," said Meloetta.

"What do you mean?" asked Ash.

"Well," began Meloetta, "since I'm a psychic type, I can sense the feelings and intentions of people. In people like Giovanii, I can sense a lot of evil, and in people like you, I can sense a lot of good. I couldn't sense either in them, it felt like they were just trying to impress their boss."

"Do you know if he actually wants Pikachu?" asked Ash, "I mean, they keep going after him, but I think they've spent more money than they'll get if they manage to capture Pikachu."

"I don't know," said Meloetta, "but considering Pikachu is technically the strongest non-legendary Pokemon they might have more motivation now. Speaking of which, congratulations on beating Leon! I saw your match on TV, it was really amazing!"

"Thanks," said Ash, "but now that I've beaten Leon, I can't figure out what to do. Do you have any ideas?"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"I believe that is for you to figure out," replied Meloetta, smiling slightly.

"You know something, don't you?" said Ash.

"Maybe," replied Meloetta innocently.

"Oh come on," said Ash.

She smiled. "Don't worry, you'll find out eventually. But really, thanks a bunch Ash. You're one of the only humans I trust besides Riley. And that's saying a lot,"

"Well, I just do what I can," said Ash.

"What you can do is often simply what you will do," said Meloetta, "I learned that from someone a long time ago,"

Ash thought about it for a moment, "I guess that makes sense,"

Meloetta nodded. "One more thing, you only get out of something what you put into it. When you freely give friendship and kindness, you'll get them back in spades. But people who do evil often only get evil in return," she smiled, "and thank you so much for helping me that time."

Ash scratched his head, "It was no problem,"

"I would argue with that," said Meloetta, "but considering your track record I probably shouldn't,"

Pikachu laughed, "Yeah, it's kinda just a day in the life,"

"So I've heard," said Meloetta, "but anyway, thanks again Ash. I have to go now, but I'll see you sometime soon!"

"Ok, bye Meloetta!"

"Bye!"

"I wonder what she means by that I'll find out eventually," pondered Ash, "What do you think Pikachu?"

"I don't know," said Pikachu, "I think it might be something with what to do next though,"

"Right!" said Ash, "Maybe we'll get to go to a new region!"

----------------------------------------

"Woah! Hi Hoopa!" Ash jumped back after Hoopa teleported in front of him and Pikachu.

"Hi Ash-kan and Pi-kan!" Ash and Pikachu sweatdropped at Hoopa's nicknames for them.

"Hoopa came to thank Ash-kan!" exclaimed Hoopa, "Without Ash-kan, Hoopa would never be able to use Hoopa's true power!"

"You're welcome Hoopa, I'm glad you can use your full power now," said Ash.

"Yeah, but that battle with Big Hoopa was cool wasn't it Ash-kan?"

Ash nodded. "I never thought I would see so many legendaries in one place!"

"Well now Hoopa doesn't have to summon all the legendaries!" said Hoopa.

"Huh?" asked Ash.

"All the legendaries are right here silly!" said Hoopa.

"Right," said Ash.

"Ash-kan want a drink?" asked Hoopa.

"Uh, no thanks," said Ash, remembering Hoopa's definition of a drink was dumping a pool on your head.

"Don't worry Ash-kan, Hoopa will get a better drink this time!" exclaimed Hoopa.

"Okay…" said Ash.

"Ale Hoopa ring!" Hoopa tossed one of its rings into the air and a cup of water fell into Ash's hands.

"Wow, thanks Hoo-" Ash jumped back as the glass of water jumped out of his hands and grew until it was as tall as he was.

"Te he he, were you surprised?" asked Hoopa.

Ash laughed, "Yeah, I wasn't expecting that,"

----------------------------------------

"Hello, Ash,"

Ash looked up to see Ho-oh flying slightly in front of him, "Hi Ho-oh, how are you doing?"

"I'm doing well," replied Ho-oh, "and yourself?"

"I'm doing great!" said Ash, "I do have a question for you though,"

"Yes?"

"Why did you give me a feather on my first day as a trainer?"

"Ah, that," said Ho-oh, "do you remember what you did that day?"

"Oh yeah," said Pikachu, "he got me as his starter, dragged me around with a rope, threw a rock at a Spearow, and I fried all the Spearow before he got creamed,"

"Hey!" said Ash, "If you had listened I wouldn't have had to throw a rock in the first place!"

"I know," said Pikachu, "I was just messing with you,"

Ash groaned. "Should have known,"

Ho-oh chuckled. "Well, Ash, I was watching you on your first day as a trainer. It may have started out rocky, but the friendship you and Pikachu developed on that day exceeded any I had seen before. The way you two went from a rocky partnership to best friends in only one day is one of the greatest achievements I've ever seen. As such, I decided to give you a feather to encourage you to continue on your journey,"

"Wow," said Ash, "thanks, Ho-oh, I think it helped a lot,"

"You're welcome," replied Ho-oh, "I see that you have improved greatly since then,"

"Yeah," said Ash, "it's been a hard journey, but it's been really fun!"

"I'm glad you enjoy it," said Ho-oh, "and don't forget, whenever you see a rainbow remember the day you first started your journey and take it as a sign to keep working toward your goal,"

Ash nodded. "Thank you, Ho-oh,"

"And thank you, Ash," said Ho-oh as she spread her wings and flew off to go talk to another legendary.

"Hey Pikachu,"

"What?"

"Race you to dinner!" said Ash as he ran towards the dining room.

"Hey! Get back here!" yelled Pikachu, chasing after his trainer.