Sunset and Dawn

Prologue

The sun was setting as the boat began leaving the port.

"Bye, Ash!" Serena called. She was waving so forcefully that Clemont's glasses fell off his face. They nearly tumbled into the water, and they would've, had Bonnie not grabbed them for him.

Ash Ketchum's figure was disappearing as the boat sailed farther away, but his voice was clear; "I'll come back! I promise!"

"Pika pi." Ash's partner, his bright yellow Pikachu, had a look of sorrow on its face.

"Aw, lighten up, Pikachu," Ash sighed, sitting on one of the deck chairs, "we're coming back. I just wanted to go visit Dawn, you know?" He put his hands behind his head.

"Pika, Pikachu…" The yellow mouse Pokémon let out a huge yawn.

"You're right, Pikachu," Ash said, stifling his own yawn. "It is getting a bit late. Let's go up to the room."

•••

Pikachu was snoring, but Ash's eyes were still wide open. He pushed his spiked black hair away from his face and glared out the window.

The moon cast silvery shadows on the ocean; the boat rocked the slightest bit every so often. Ash sighed. I'll be in Sinnoh soon, and I'll see Dawn again, and everything will be great…

•••

Ash's eyes snapped open. Pikachu was sitting on him.

"Pika pi!" the small Pokémon screeched. Ash felt his hat placed on him by Pikachu.

Ash sighed. He looked out the window; the sun was high enough for it to be noon. He turned and looked at the clock, and suddenly his mind was open.

It was noon.

He screamed; he'd slept right through the alarm!

Pikachu gave him his vest and he put it on. He didn't even bother brushing his teeth; there was very little time to get off as it was.

He found himself squeezing into a glass elevator with thirteen other people, not to mention a Charmander and a Sylveon who were chasing each other around and making it harder for Ash and Pikachu to fit in the corners.

When the elevator stopped, he rushed out. The exit door!

"Close it up, Lilly," the cruise director was saying.

"No!" Ash's scream echoed around the ship.

The cruise director and even the girl named Lilly stopped.

"I'm… here… don't… close… please…" Ash's words came in huffs as Pikachu looked at him worriedly.

Lilly's guard Houndoor grimaced, but Lilly let the two pass. Ash passed her a silent thank you look.

"We got this, Pikachu." Ash held onto his backpack as he slid down the railing of the ramp; Pikachu held on for dear life as it nearly fell off Ash's shoulder.

A young girl reunited with her grandmother as Ash walked past; then he saw her.

He raced up to Dawn as quickly as he could.

His mind racing as fast as he was, he skidded to a stop next to Dawn, much to Pikachu's dismay.

Dawn's Piplup, a light blue, penguin-like Pokémon, turned around when it saw Ash. It smiled and gleefully chanted, "Pip! Pip-lup!" It began tugging on Dawn's hat.

Dawn turned around. She gave Ash the once-over, examining him; then she looked him in the eye.

She had a look of sincere confusion on her face.

Piplup looked concerned at the face Dawn was making, and gave Ash a look of surprise that mirrored his when Dawn said, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"