Chapter 23: A Dreamy Interlude

As the party surged into full swing, the air thick with laughter and joy, an unexpected guest made her dazzling entrance. Jigglypuff, the beloved balloon Pokémon, floated gracefully into the reception hall. Her soft pink form glimmered under the twinkling lights, causing heads to turn and faces to light up with surprise. "Jigglypuff! What are you doing here?" Ash exclaimed, his face a mixture of delight and horror as he spotted the rotund creature bounding toward the stage. The crowd erupted in cheers, thinking Jigglypuff’s presence was a delightful surprise. But as she landed on the stage, settling herself right next to Ash, a twinge of fear gripped his heart. "Please, Jigglypuff, don’t sing!" he begged, waving his hands frantically in the air. "It’s the wrong time for your song, trust me!" Yet, Jigglypuff merely blinked at him with her large, sparkling eyes, seemingly unaware of his plea. She sucked in a deep breath, her cheeks puffing out like a balloon, and began to sing her hypnotic melody. Immediately, a wave of tranquility washed over the room as the enchanting notes cascaded through the air. Ash was the first to succumb to her lullaby, his eyes fluttering closed as he swayed gently on his feet. The energy in the hall shifted, an enchanting haze blanketing the joyous atmosphere. One by one, guests began to blink sleepily, then sagged softly into slumber, caught in Jigglypuff’s serenade. Usagi and Rei, who had been smiling blissfully at their friends, felt their eyelids grow heavy. Wrapped in warmth beside one another, they exchanged sleepy glances before leaning into each other for comfort, surrendering to the lullaby and drifting off to sleep. As the echoes of Jigglypuff’s song filled the space, tables were soon adorned with sleeping guests; some slumped over their plates of half-eaten food, some nestled against their neighbors, and others sprawled comfortably on the dance floor—everywhere, laughter had turned to quiet slumbers. But moments after Jigglypuff finished her song, she looked around the room, her eyes widening with disbelief. "Jiggly!" she exclaimed, a frown forming on her cute round face. "What happened?" Everyone was asleep! Her heart sank; it was a wedding— a special celebration of love! With a huff, she crossed her tiny arms, her annoyance growing. As tempting as it was to draw on the faces of the sleeping guests, she decided against it this time. Instead, Jigglypuff flicked her eyes toward the sleeping couple of honor, Usagi and Rei, and with a puffed-up chest, she declared, "I guess I'll let them sleep this time, but next festival? You’d better watch out!" With a flare of her confidence, Jigglypuff took a moment to survey the calm dreamscape that had enveloped the reception hall. The night had transformed into an unexpected adventure, still enveloped in soft melodies and twinkling lights, but now resting beneath the spell of dreams.