He'd done it. He'd finally, actually done it.

Outside the locker room, he could hear the buzz of the crowd as they chanted his name and celebrated along with him. Inside, he was leaned over with his head in his hands, his body in total shock. On the ground in front of him, Pikachu observed him, waiting for a command.

Before he could say anything, he heard the door behind him open and close. Footsteps sounded as someone rushed over to him, engulfing him in a tight squeeze.

"You did it!" she cried right into his ear, but he didn't care.

Placing her hands on his cheeks, she turned his head toward her and pressed her lips against his. He let himself get lost in the kiss, wrapping his hands around her neck as he pulled her into his lap. His hands moved from her neck to her fiery-red hair, pulling on her hair tie, so her hair fell to her shoulders.

She pulled away to stare back at him, watching his face for any reaction. "So, now what?" she asked him. "What are you going to do now that you've finally achieved your dream?"

He gently pushed her off his lap before standing.

"Well, for the first time in a long time, I have no path to follow, no course to set out," he told her. He gently pushed her off his lap to stand. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a velvet box before leaning down to place one knee on the floor. "But when I find out what I want to do next, I hope you'll be a part of it."

"Ash..." she gasped, covering her mouth. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

"Mist, will you marry me?"