The amusement park wasn't just about rides—there were also tons of vendors selling fun souvenirs and trinkets. As night fell, the place became even livelier with a bustling crowd and sparkling lights.
May's eyes sparkled as she browsed a nearby stall. "Aww, this is so cute!"
She was holding up a charm shaped like seven stars connected together.
"That's a Millennium Comet charm—the Seven Nights' Wish Star!" the vendor explained with dramatic flair, clearly trying to lure in innocent customers like May. "They say if you make a wish each night while the comet is visible, and fold a star each time, your wish is guaranteed to come true!"
If that trinket could grant wishes, what was Jirachi even needed for?
But May was already sold. "I'll take it!"
The vendor added slyly, "Of course, there are no guarantees, haha! But good luck!"
Not far away, colorful fireworks began bursting in the sky—shaped like Pikachu, Torchic, and more.
Max held the purple crystal tightly, smiling as he watched. "Look, Jirachi! Aren't the fireworks beautiful?"
Eventually, the amusement park quieted down. Lights dimmed one by one, and Ash, May, Max, and Brock climbed onto a large rock to wait for the comet to appear.
Suddenly, a cool breeze passed through. The clouds drifted away, and a brilliant silver streak with a long tail lit up the night sky.
"There it is—the Millennium Comet!" May gasped. "Time to make a wish!"
She quickly pulled out her Wish Star charm, closed her eyes, whispered her wish, and folded the first star-shaped petal.
"Once in a thousand years…" Ash muttered. "We're really lucky to be alive for this."
Or maybe it was just Ash's legendary luck at play—after all, mythical Pokémon had a habit of showing up wherever he went.
Then, the crystal in Max's arms began to glow—not just faintly, but with a dazzling light.
"The star… is calling me…"
This time, everyone heard the voice.
"Was that Jirachi?!" May asked, startled.
"It's telepathy!" Ash said. "Jirachi must be waking up!"
Far away, deep within the Forina region, a sacred stone began to glow green. A burst of energy shot into the sky and raced across the land, heading straight toward the group. A mysterious figure chased after it.
The green light finally merged with the glowing crystal in Max's arms.
Before their eyes, the crystal floated into the air, surrounded by white light. Glimmering lines extended from its center, reshaping the light into a new form.
The glow faded—and floating gently before them was a tiny Pokémon shaped like a star, with soft fabric-like streamers and a Wish Tag on its head.
Jirachi had awakened.
"Amazing…" Ash murmured. "The real journey begins now."
JirachiType: Steel/PsychicAbility: Serene Grace (doubles the chance of move side effects)Power Level: Superior (Weakened state)
Jirachi descended slowly, its soft cloth-like wings fluttering behind it.
Max hurried forward to catch it. Jirachi opened its eyes, blinking curiously from Max's arms.
"It's so cute!" May squealed.
Everyone introduced themselves excitedly, but before long, Diane arrived and, after grasping the situation, invited everyone to her RV. She then hurried off to inform Butler.
Back at their camp, Max held Jirachi close. "Jirachi, can you grant me a wish?"
"Wish…?" Jirachi tilted its head in confusion.
With shining eyes, Max made the kind of wish only a child would dream of: "I want… an endless supply of snacks!"
Jirachi closed its eyes. The Wish Tag on its head glowed—and suddenly, bags of snacks began appearing out of thin air!
Everyone was stunned.
"Did… that really work?!" May gasped.
The group was buried in candy and chips—literally! They cheered and laughed… until Ash noticed something.
"Wait! Look at the labels on these snacks—they're from the amusement park! Jirachi didn't create them… it just teleported them!"
Brock confirmed it. "They're exactly the same!"
Everyone's excitement turned to awkward embarrassment as they realized they were essentially stealing from vendors. They quickly dug their way out of the snack pile.
Jirachi blinked innocently. It hadn't meant any harm.
Just then, Butler and Diane arrived. "Where's Jirachi?" Butler asked with urgency.
"Right here!" Max pointed, and Jirachi chimed in, "Here!"
Diane looked around at the mess. "What… happened?"
Everyone sheepishly explained the snack overload.
Brock suggested a solution. "Why not have Jirachi send everything back?"
"Yeah! That's it!" Max turned to Jirachi. "Please send the snacks back where they came from."
Once again, Jirachi's Wish Tag glowed, and all the snacks vanished, returned to their rightful places.
"I feel sleepy…" Jirachi yawned, then fell asleep in Max's arms.
"Is it going to sleep for another thousand years?!" Max panicked.
Butler shook his head. "No. Jirachi will remain awake for seven days—this was just a short rest after using its power."
Max sighed in relief. "That's a relief…"
The next day, Brock came looking for help. "Ash! May! Can you give us a hand backstage with Butler's show?"
Unfortunately, Ash had already taken May to the amusement park to enjoy the rides.
"Isn't it kind of wrong that we snuck away without telling them?" May asked.
"Knowing Brock… we made the right call," Ash said casually—then suddenly stopped. "Uh-oh. Look over there."
May followed his gaze—and saw Brock in full clown costume, passing out flyers in the sun.
"Yikes! Good thing we left early!" May sighed in relief. "No way I'm wasting a beautiful day doing free labor!"
"Pika~" Pikachu imagined himself dressed like Brock and shuddered.
Soon after, Max showed up with Jirachi resting on his head. "Hey Ash, May! There you are—Brock was looking all over for you!"
That confirmed everything.
Still, the trio had a fantastic day exploring the park while Brock toiled away under the hot sun.
Later at dinner, Ash and May could feel Brock's fury. His narrowed, burning gaze practically set their plates on fire. They ate quickly.
That night, after Butler's show, Ash and the others helped clean up backstage.
May was wheeling a scaffold when she tripped on a wooden plank. She barely caught it before it toppled. "Max! Help me out here!"
Max dropped what he was carrying and rushed over. Together, they pushed the scaffold back into place.
Just then, Jirachi turned playful—snatching Max's glasses and floating away.
"Hey! Jirachi, give those back!" Max shouted, chasing after it.
May was left holding the scaffold on her own. "Ah—wait!"
Luckily, Ash stepped in just in time to steady the scaffold.
"Thanks, Ash!" May sighed in relief.
"No problem!"
Nearby, Max was still chasing Jirachi.
"Jirachi! Come back here!" he shouted, leaping forward. His inner energy surged.
"You're not getting away this time!" Max yelled triumphantly. "Got you!"
"Caught by Max!" Jirachi giggled, happy to be caught.
Max put on his glasses again and scolded playfully, "You little troublemaker…"
Suddenly—
Crash!!
A mirror shattered behind them. Stepping through the shards was a mysterious Pokémon with snow-white fur and a curved sickle-like horn on its head.
To be continued...