As the warm sun bathed Pallet Town in golden light, Ash stood amidst his gathered Pokémon, his heart full from seeing their growth, laughter, and loyalty. The atmosphere was peaceful—until a sharp tremor in the air made his aura flare to life. His eyes narrowed.
Something powerful was coming.
At the same moment, Sabrina's expression shifted, her psychic senses pulsing. "Ash... you feel it too, don't you?" she said, voice calm but alert.
Ash gave a firm nod. "Yeah. A powerful Pokémon is closing in—fast."
The wind shifted slightly, and even the Pokémon in Professor Oak's backyard stirred uneasily. The once joyful mood took a serious turn as everyone felt the unseen energy drawing nearer.
Ash instinctively reached for Pikachu, who had already hopped to his shoulder, sparking faintly in readiness.
Sabrina's eyes glowed faintly, scanning the psychic pressure in the air. "It's not hostile… but it's immensely strong. And familiar."
Ash clenched his fist, not out of fear—but anticipation.
Something—or someone—was about to arrive.
A low, thunderous whoosh echoed through the skies above Pallet Town as the clouds spiraled unnaturally, forming a vortex. All eyes turned upward. A massive serpent-like silhouette began to break through the clouds—emerald scales glistening like living armor. Its long, coiled body flowed like a celestial river in the sky.
"Rayquaza..." Professor Oak gasped, stepping out from the lab with wide eyes. "The Sky High Pokémon?!"
In response to the encroaching presence, two figures rocketed into the air from Oak's ranch. One, a mighty Dragonite—wings spread wide, her scales shimmering with experience and wisdom. The other, a battle-scarred Charizard with a fierce glare, bearing an X-shaped scar over its chest—Oak's own protectors of the Pokémon haven.
They soared up, intercepting Rayquaza's descent.
But Rayquaza made no move to attack. It hovered in the sky with majestic stillness, not out of aggression—but authority.
And then, riding atop Rayquaza's crown, a figure stood tall, her cloak fluttering in the rushing wind.
The figure leapt down gracefully.
Ash's heart nearly stopped. His aura pulsed violently as recognition hit him like a bolt of thunder.
He whispered one word.
"...Cynthia?"
Her cloak flutters behind her. Her golden hair glows in the sunlight. Her eyes shimmer with tears—a storm of emotions breaking free after ten long years of separation.
Then she runs.
"Ash!!"
Without hesitation, Ash rushes forward. They meet halfway.
She leaps into his arms.
He catches her effortlessly, and in that electric moment—their lips meet in a deep, passionate kiss, one that the world itself seems to pause for.
Misty and Sabrina watch quietly, standing close.
"So she's cynthia," Misty whispers.
Sabrina nods, a soft smile on her face. "We were never the only ones."
No jealousy. Only understanding.
Nearby, Professor Oak stares in open awe. "R-Rayquaza… what in the world is going on?"
But his eyes glimmer with academic joy. "Incredible… the aura around that woman… her bond with Rayquaza is ancient. But... is that Cynthia?! the youngest shinnoh champion??"
Brock, still helping in the garden, turns—then his eyes widen. "W-Wha… why does he get another goddess-level beauty?! Not fair!!" He dramatically falls over, clutching his chest. "I need love too!"
Little Amber peeks from behind a tree. "Big Brother has a third girlfriend?!" she squeals, then skips over, eyes sparkling. "She's pretty!"
As the embrace ends, Cynthia cups Ash's face, breathing heavily.
"Finally... my dear. After a decade... of watching the skies, of missing you—my husband, my soulmate, my life... I'm home."
Ash holds her close, voice low. "I waited too, Cynthia. Every single day."
Suddenly, a pokéball on Cynthia's belt bursts open—Garchomp emerges, frantic and scanning.
Her eyes land on Ash's Charizard.
The two lock eyes… and a slow, powerful reunion takes place as Garchomp lets out a low, emotional cry. Charizard responds with a soft growl, walking toward her. They meet, touching foreheads—reunited mates from a fractured past.
The moment, though intense, feels complete.
As Ash and Cynthia stood locked in a heartfelt embrace, their foreheads gently touching, time seemed to pause. Years of longing, silence, and separation dissolved in the shared warmth between them. Cynthia's eyes, filled with tears, glistened in the sunlight as she whispered again, "My husband… my soulmate… my life."
Ash cupped her cheek gently, brushing away a tear, his voice quiet but firm. "I missed you every single day…"
Before their lips could meet again for another passionate kiss—
"AHEM!"
A deliberately loud cough shattered the tension in the air like a Rock Slide.
Everyone turned sharply.
Professor Oak, smiling awkwardly and scratching the back of his head, stood a few steps away. "Well now! This is quite the… surprise reunion. Ahem, public, isn't it?"
The temperature dropped dramatically—not from any Pokémon's Ice Beam, but from the combined death glares of Cynthia, Misty, and Sabrina.
The three women turned their icy, unblinking stares toward the poor professor, who audibly gulped and took a fearful step back.
"I–I'll just… go check the lab's… microscopes. Yes. Microscopes," he stammered before disappearing inside with a speed that would've made Rapidash proud.
Brock, who had just arrived holding a tray of snacks and spotted the scene, paused, blinked once, twice… then promptly fainted with a comedic thud, muttering something about "divine judgment" and "three goddesses of death."
Amber, however, was completely unaffected by the tension. With bright sparkling eyes and hands clasped to her cheeks, she looked up at the three powerful women and gasped, "Waaah~! So cool! My future sisters-in-law are like magical warrior queens!"
She then ran over and hugged Cynthia's leg, earning a warm smile from the Sinnoh Champion, who gently knelt down to pat her head. "So are you Ash's sister nice to meet you dear."
Amber beamed. "You're super pretty, like a fairy!"
Behind them, Garchomp and Charizard had finished their own reunion, nuzzling and chirping at one another in joy after their long separation, their bond reignited beside their respective trainers.
As the emotional storm passed and warmth filled the air again, Ash chuckled softly, pulling Cynthia closer once more. "Let's go inside. I think we've got a lot of stories to catch up on."
And just like that, the day at Pallet Town became one that would be remembered forever—not just for the return of a Champion, but for the reunion of hearts that distance and time could never keep apart.