On their way to Fallarbor Town, Ash and his friends stopped by a Pokémon Center, where they learned about a festival being held at a nearby site—the perfect location to witness the rare appearance of the Millennium Comet.
Excited by the news, the group decided to go and enjoy the festivities while watching the once-in-a-millennium celestial event.
Knowing what was to come, Ash quietly made some changes to his team.
Ash's current party: Pikachu, Tyranitar, Charizard, Pidgeot, Snorlax, Eevee, Jigglypuff
After picking up a guidebook at the Center, the group rushed eagerly toward the festival site.
That evening, they reached a grassy hillside.
"Hey… Which one of those is the Millennium Comet?" May asked, peering up at the starlit sky, completely lost.
Max sighed. "Seriously, May… You can't even see the comet until tomorrow! It's not even out yet."
"Hmph! Then what was the point of rushing here?" May sulked.
"Where's the festival, Brock?" Ash asked.
Brock flipped through the guidebook, carefully comparing the area. "We're definitely in the right spot… It should be around here."
The group picked up the pace and finally arrived—only to find a completely empty clearing.
"There's nothing here…" Max blinked in confusion.
"Did we get scammed?" May and Max thought at the same time, eyes narrowed.
Brock double-checked the guide. "No mistake… This is the place."
"Maybe we're just early," Ash suggested. "Let's eat and rest for the night—we can still watch the comet tomorrow."
After traveling all day, the idea of food sounded perfect. Brock started a fire and cooked dinner for everyone. With full stomachs, they soon settled in to sleep.
Just then, the distant rumble of engines broke the quiet.
"Look!" Max pointed excitedly as trucks began arriving, pulling into the empty clearing.
From the trucks, workers unloaded colorful rides and attractions—roller coasters, Ferris wheels, snack stands. In no time at all, the traveling amusement park was being set up before their eyes!
Ash and the others ran over in awe.
More vehicles arrived—and from one of them stepped a man with purple hair, dressed in a dramatic white tuxedo. He carried a black box, which he tapped with a red handkerchief that turned into a wand. With a flourish, the wand tapped the box… and out popped eight large pink balloons.
The woman in the second vehicle—wearing a red dress and holding two matching fans—fanned the balloons toward the others. They burst and revealed a mechanical system of interconnected panels. Within moments, the panels extended upward, and a massive circus tent inflated into place. This was clearly the magician's main stage.
By the next morning, the festival was in full swing. Crowds flooded in, and Ash's group was among the first guests.
Everyone split up to explore. Ash, along with Pikachu, Eevee, and Jigglypuff, tried every ride and sampled every snack—ice cream, cotton candy, fried noodles. It was a blast!
As the sun set, the group reunited to attend the festival's main event—the magic show, performed by the famous magician Butler.
With dramatic flair, Butler tapped his top hat, and a Swablu flew out!
Then came the real magic. He set the hat on a table, raised his arms, and conjured a Kirlia. Butler locked Kirlia in a box, covered it with a red cloth, and lit the cloth on fire with his wand. The flames vanished into a cloud of pink smoke… and when it cleared, Kirlia was gone.
In her place stood a beautiful woman in a red dress, holding a glowing purple crystal.
Brock nearly passed out on the spot.
The woman held the crystal high—and it flashed with radiant light.
The crowd cheered, thinking it was all part of the show.
But Ash knew better. That light wasn't part of the act. That was—
"Calling… me… Hear the voice of the stars…"
Ash froze. He'd heard the voice. So had Max, judging by his expression.
Butler and his assistant—the woman in red—introduced themselves as Butler and Diane and began preparing their next illusion.
"Hear the voice of the stars? Who's talking?" Max looked around, confused.
The voice came again.
"It's me… Jirachi…"
Max's eyes locked on the crystal in Diane's hands. He dropped his popcorn and immediately ran onto the stage.
"Hey kid, what's wrong?" Diane asked gently.
Max pointed at the crystal. "I heard a voice! I swear I heard it talk!"
Butler and Diane exchanged a glance. Subtle… but Ash noticed. His Aura had been active the whole time. He didn't miss a thing.
Trying to play along, Butler invited Max to assist with the next trick. He even locked Max in a magician's box to demonstrate an illusion, counted down, and—thankfully—did not blast Max into another dimension with Hyper Beam.
Still, May and Brock were nearly having heart attacks.
Max returned safely. Butler bowed, announcing the show's perfect conclusion.
That's when it happened.
A mechanical arm suddenly reached out of nowhere, targeting the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder.
"Pikachu, dodge and Iron Tail!"
"Pika!!" Pikachu leapt, shattered the mechanical arm with a silver-glowing tail, and landed safely.
"Who's there?!" Butler yelled in shock.
From the sky, two familiar faces removed their disguises—Team Rocket, riding in a hot-air balloon.
"Since you're asking so sincerely… it's only polite to respond!""Meowth, that's right!""Wobbuffet~!"
Ash didn't waste a second.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Eevee, Swift! Jigglypuff, Dazzling Gleam!"
"Pika-chuuuu!""Eevee~!""Jiggly~puff!"
Electric sparks, glowing stars, and dazzling lights slammed into Team Rocket—sending them blasting off once again.
"What a shocking turn of events!""Wobbuffettttt~!"
Thanks to Team Rocket's usual chaos, Ash and the others got to spend more time with Butler and Diane.
Butler explained the truth behind the crystal.
"Inside this crystal sleeps Jirachi, a Mythical Pokémon said to awaken once every thousand years to grant wishes. The Millennium Comet signals that time."
"Wishes?!" Everyone gasped.
"So it only awakens for seven days during the comet's passage…" Diane added.
"And during that time," Butler continued, "Jirachi chooses a pure-hearted child to bond with and protect it."
"Wait, does that mean I was chosen?" Max blinked.
"Why him?" May grumbled.
Ash stepped forward. "Then Jirachi's waking up tonight, right?"
"Exactly," Butler nodded. "And it needs a partner to do so. Max… will you accept?"
Max nodded furiously. "Yes! Of course I will!"
Butler handed over the crystal with a subtle smile. "Then I'll leave everything in your hands."
Ash watched them carefully. He didn't trust Butler one bit.
"Is there really a Pokémon inside this thing?" May reached out to touch the crystal—but Max yanked it away protectively.
"Hey! Let me see it!"
"Hands off!" Max stuck out his tongue and ran.
"Oh, you're in for it!" May chased after him, baring her fangs like an angry Meowth.
And so, with Jirachi's awakening just hours away, the adventure was only just beginning…
To be continued…