Dawn tip-toed out of bed and took one quick glance at Salvia before she opened the window. The cold wind froze her cheeks as she whistled for Togekiss' attention. Most twins had a special ability that only the siblings knew about. Some could read minds, but for Salvia and Dawn, they were able to detect the exact location of their twin. If anyone was looking for her, they would only need to ask Salvia.
Ash's sudden disappearance was a big blow for Dawn. He had promised he would be there for her birthday, and he would never break his promises to anyone: even if it took years to fulfil. Anything could happen to him in the dark night. Pokemon were enchanting creatures, but not all were kind. Togekiss pushed herself out of the window and looked down outside the castle walls. Guards patrolling every corner of the kingdom, but up above there was not a soul in sight.
"Fly me to Eterna Forest," Dawn requested. Her heart raced as she slowly made steps backwards. When she was ready she dashed, leapt out of the window and bounced onto Togekiss and held on tight to it's bulky back. Togekiss flew at an extreme speed. Dawn managed to stop herself from sliding off by how Togekiss soared her wings. Eterna Forest was the last place where Commander Paul saw Ash. There were no other reliable witnesses about, but Dawn had a feeling that there must have been some clues left behind.
Togekiss landed in front of a hallow tree in the depths of Eterna Forest. Any light was dim and the moon was concealed by purple smog coming from a manor house behind her. Togekiss stood guard. The manor house looked abandoned from it's rusty gates and trembling roof. If it was done up, it could have been a beautiful house.
"Let's go in Togekiss." Togekiss and Dawn entered the mansion side by side. Dawn managed to open the door with ease. As expected, the mansion was pitch back. Dawn raised her voice. "Light any candles you see."
Togekiss took a deep breath as a fire blast boomed from her mouth and a chandelier had come alive. All Dawn could see in the main hall was dust and gastlys. As she explored deeper into into the manor there four empty bedrooms, a library crammed with books an a depressing dining room. It all seemed as if there was no hope in finding anything until Dawn heard crying in the corner.
Togekiss jumped and pointed it's right wing to something yellow. It was a pikachu and Dawn knew exactly who it belonged it. She knew that the Pikachu belonged to Ash because it was too slim to be a regular wild pikachu. Pikachu would never have left Ash's side by freewill.
"Pikachu!" Dawn called out. "PLEASE DON'T BE SCARED. IT'S ONLY ME, DAWN!"
Pikachu twirled and dashed over to Dawn. Pikachu was anxious and shook Dawn's dress as he continued to cry harder.
Togekiss tried to communicate with Pikachu and when Pikachu quietly responded before bursting into a fit of tears, Togekiss translated the message over to Dawn.
"So Ash and Paul were training and then Ash suddenly disappeared?" Dawn asked. Both pokemon nodded in unison. "And when Paul left Serena brought you here and said that Ash will meet you here. And when you came here, Serena said you would never see Ash." Dawn's knees collapsed onto the dusty floor. "Oh no. How could Serena do this? They've been friends since childhood."
"PI PI PIKA PIKA... PIKACHU!"
"Togekiss!"
Her eyes became x-shaped like a witch, Pikachu cried out. Togekiss was trying to calm him down. The three of them shared a group hug. Serena's betrayal was unforgivable, but she was determined to find out what happened to Ash. Witchcraft was a terrible thing, but Dawn had a gut instinct that Ash was still alive. Maybe he had turned into something else like an animal or an inanimate object, or in another dimension. Either way Dawn wasn't going to let Serena get away with her crimes.
"Don't give up hope guys," Dawn said. "I'll find Ash. I'll find him even if I have to get cursed by that witch."