Saying Goodbye to Ash and News of Meloetta

Beneath the night sky, brilliant fireworks burst overhead, filling the entire venue with cheers and applause.

On the raised platform below Ho-Oh's wavering Sacred Fire, Champion Cynthia presented Ash with the Lily of the Valley Conference trophy.

For now, the celebration belonged to Ash and the Pokémon who had fought beside him. In the stands, all his friends were happy to see him finally take the first step toward his dream.

"That wasn't easy..."

Mingyou smiled and applauded with everyone else as the conference drew to a close and the Sacred Fire, which had burned for days, slowly went out.

Of course, this wasn't the end.

The conference winner earned the right to challenge the Elite Four. If Ash defeated them, he could face Champion Cynthia at the Sinnoh League. Win that battle, and he would become the Sinnoh Region's new Champion.

Mingyou was sure Ash would keep going. How far he would get, though, Mingyou couldn't say. He had no power to see the future.

After all, he had helped as much as he could. From here on, Ash would have to walk his own path...

The closing ceremony ended, and Ash followed through on the favor Mingyou had asked of him: putting in a good word for his shop. Coming from the conference winner, though, that endorsement carried real weight.

In less than a day, Mingyou's shop on Magikarp King had gained over ten thousand followers and countless customers asking about his fruit. But that came later...

For now, Mingyou wanted to congratulate Ash once he came out. Seeing the crowd of reporters around him, however, he decided not to interrupt.

Just then, a slightly rueful voice sounded behind him. "I lost... You really do have a good eye for people."

"That was all down to his hard