Ash Ketchum stood at the bottom of the Sinnoh League Stadium with a great look of defeat as the opponent's Latios took out his Sceptile. That was it; Ash had lost. The crowd cheered for the other trainer as Ash shrugged out of the stadium with a symepithetic Pikachu on his shoulder. Ash felt so bad. He was definately the underdog against a team of legendaries, but he was able to beat the Battle Frontier in the same situation, with even less experience. Brock and Dawn ran up to Ash and made a small group hug. Dawn was near tears, "You were so close, Ash... I'm so sorry." Brock put a hand on her shoulder, "Let's put it this way," Brock started, "Ash get's closer to victory every year he tries. So if he made the finals this year, then next time will be a given win!" Brock said it with such confidence that it boosted Ash right up. "Yeah! Let's make up for this loss with a good cheeseburger!" Ash exclaimed and they all laughed while Pikachu sighed with relief... Later that night, the gang got a room at the pokécenter, got on their pajamas, and hopped into their beds. Ash was still frazzled by the battle that he barely heard Dawn adress him. "Uh, what?" Ash asked Dawn. She looked at him with a look of curiosity. "Ash, what do you plan on doing next with your adventres?" This question struck Ash hard because he never thought of it. "I don't know..." Ash admitted. Dawn sat up, "I was thinking of going for the contests by the Resort Area. Maybe you could join me a try the New Battle Frontier." Dawn lay back down and turned her back to Ash, forcing that offer in his mind without being able to respond. It sounded like a good deal and he really considered it. He could use some time away from the gyms again. As Ash just about fell asleep Brock walked in, "Hey Ash, you got a letter from our old friend." Ash sat up very surprised. "Which one?" he questioned. "Our old pal Misty..."