There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
By RH Coronado


"And that's how Misty got her bike back," Ash said.  He was lying on his back, his arms 
behind his head.
"What happened next?" May asked. She was sitting right next to Ash.  She was leaning 
on a giant pecan tree that they were both resting under.  It was early summer and the 
clouds flew by.  The sun forced its way through as the heat kept its distance.
"Well, we came to a crossroads," Ash continued as he looked up to see the moving 
clouds.  "Brock headed back to Pewter City, Misty to Cerulean City and I went home to 
Pallet.  After five years, we went our separate ways."
"Five years?" May said, surprised.  "Ash, you don't look a day over eleven!"
"Ya think?" Ash asked, smiling.  "Maybe I got the years mixed up.  Thanks for saying I 
still look young, by the way."
"Very funny," May said, blushing.  She turned her head so Ash couldn't see her.  "So 
what made you hit the road again?"
"Two things," Ash answered as his right hand gave a 'peace' sign.  "Gary Oak and Ho-
oh."
"Gary Oak?" May asked, her mind putting two and two together.  "Is he related to 
Professor Oak?"
"Yup," Ash responded.  "Gary wanted to be the greatest trainer, too.  After the Johto 
tournament, however, his priorities changed.  So he went off to Hoenn."
"You mean he's around here somewhere?" May said, looking all around.
"I don't know if he's exactly around this spot," Ash said.  "But he's in Hoenn alright."
"And what's a 'Ho-oh'?" May asked.
"Ho-oh is a pokemon," Ash answered.  "A very old and mysterious pokemon.  I've seen 
it twice."
"Twice?" May asked, looking at Ash.
"Yeah," Ash responded.  "The first time was when I left Pallet to start my training.  The 
second time was right before I decided to come here to Hoenn."
"What's Ho-oh look like?" May asked as she scratched her left arm.
"It's a huge flying bird," Ash said as he sat upright.  "The color of it is like red orange.  
When it flies through the air, it leaves behind a large rainbow covering its path."
"Ash," May said with a deadpan tone.  "Do you mean to tell me that the reason you came 
to Hoenn was to follow some big re bird flying in the sky?"
"No, that's not it," Ash answered, catching May's sarcasm.  "It was a sign.  It turns out 
I'm the only person to have seen Ho-oh in a couple of centuries.  I even went to the town 
where he used to live."
"How do you know it's a 'he'?" May asked without hesitation.
"I just assumed," Ash answered.
"That's something I always wondered about," May started.  "How do you know when a 
pokemon is a guy pokemon or a girl pokemon?"
"Does it really matter?" Ash asked as he lay back onto the ground.
"I'm just curious, Ash," May said.  "I mean I've seen a lot of pokemon who are very 
girly.  Like all those flower pokemon.  Can any of them be boys?"
"I guess they're kinda like us," Ash concluded.  "You really can't tell from the outside.  
But what's inside is what's important."
"You're right about that," May said, smiling in agreement.
The two friends went silent as the slight breeze went over the dry land.  The trees swayed 
in slow lotion as the leaves reacted to the wind.
"I hope Max isn't driving Brock and Pikachu crazy," May said, breaking the silence.
"Don't worry about Brock," Ash said.  "He has a dozen brothers and sisters.  He can 
handle one."
"That's true," Misty said, a little down.  "Ash, do you ever think about the future?"
"You mean like flying cars and stuff?" Ash responded.
"No, you silly boy," May said, almost laughing.  "I mean your future.  Do you think you 
will accomplish all of your goals?"
"Yes," Ash answered, not skipping a beat.
"Wow," May said.  "You're confident."
"Thanks, May," Ash said, sitting upright again.  "But it's just not me alone in all of this.  
My friends help as well.  Pikachu, Brock, Misty, my mom, the Professor, Max, you, and 
all of my pokemon.  With all of you, I'll get it done."
"How kind of you, Ash," May said, smiling with her eyes closed.  "I'm glad you consider 
me your friend."
"Friends keep you going," Ash said.  "When you have friends, the light keeps shining.  
The drive is always there."
May leaned over and gave Ash a hug.  He started to blush.
"Don't worry, Ash," May whispered into Ash's right ear.  "The light will never go out."


THE END