(A/N: Okay, so I'm not really sure how often I'll be able to update, so I'm just writing this as a reminder that's all. By the way, I didn't know, at first, Cerenia was the name of a drug XD. Go figure. Oh, one last thing, so we all understand completely:

Ash – 18

Dawn – 18

Brock – 19

Hopefully I'm not completely off from the last story.)

Chapter 2: Cerenia City

It had been almost a month since Ash, Dawn, and Brock, as well as their other friends, had saved their world from the evil within the world of darkness. Since then, Dawn had competed in the Jubilife City contest, with May and Drew who had come back to attend. Although it was not easy, Dawn was able to squeak through and beat both May and Drew to win her fifth and final ribbon.

"Now I can finally enter the Grand Festival!" Dawn said excitedly.

"Piplup pip!" Piplup said, who was on top of her head.

Dawn smiled happily. "To think that I've come so far in such a short time." A look of surprise then came onto her face. "I'm going to have to find myself a new dress to wear!"

She didn't realize that her two other friends face-faulted instantly on that comment. "Guess some things never change," Brock said, sighing.

"Well, it is Dawn after all," Ash said.

"I heard that," Dawn said, glaring at both of them, but still, they had a point. But what's a girl to do? The three of them were heading towards Sunnyshore City, where Ash planned on getting his eighth and final badge.

"Only one more and then its to the Sinnoh League!" Ash said.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu added happily.

"Just don't get overconfident, especially at this point," Dawn said.

"Yeah, from what I've heard, the gym leader from Sunnyshore City is probably the toughest out of all them," Brock said. "Not to mention, they like to use electric-types."

"Electric-types, huh?" Ash said. "Well, we better come up with a good battle strategy then."

"Don't worry Ash," Dawn said, who was holding his hand. "I'll be there supporting you like you did in Jubilife City."

"I know," Ash said, giving her a peck on the cheek. All of a sudden, his stomach started to grumble. "But I think before I think of any strategies, I might need some lunch first," he added, grinning sheepishly.

"Well, it's definitely around that time," Brock said. "We might as well take a break now."

And with that, the three of them got lunch ready, for their Pokemon as well as themselves. However, they wouldn't be eating for too long before they noticed someone coming towards them on the road. They soon found out the person was running towards them. Once the person got closer, they soon saw it was a man who was dressed in a fine suit and was sweating profusely.

"I better be getting paid good money for all of this," the man said, his hands on his knees, breathing heavily. He then noticed the the three others and their Pokemon. "Oh, don't mind me!" he said quickly. "I'm just on duty here." He then pulled out a slip of paper. "Is there anyone here, or hopefully somewhere close by, by the name of Dawn Berlitz?"

"That would be me," Dawn said.

The man then sighed happily. "Finally, I've been looking for you for almost three hours! My name is Derek by the way," he said, shaking her hand. "Anyway, I'm here to give you this." He then gave her the same slip of paper, which read:

Dawn Berlitz,

You have been cordially invited to attend Cerenia City's greatest celebration, in honor of the city's existence. Hosted by his royal majesty, King Leon II, at Golistan Palace. Enclosed is a free ticket for your cruise to the great island of Cerenia.

After reading the note, Dawn seemed a little shocked at first. All of a sudden, her eyes glittered with happiness. "Oh my God! To be actually invited to a real palace by a real king! It almost makes me feel like a princess!" She then stopped. "But what about my friends? Are they invited as well?"

"Well," Derek said, a bit uncomfortable. "I wasn't exactly told to bring guests, so I'm not exactly sure."

"It's alright Dawn," Ash said. "You can go on without us. It's no big deal at all." Brock nodded in agreement.

But Dawn wouldn't have it. "But they have to come with me," she said, using the old method called the puppy-dog face. She was planning on going to tears next if she needed to. "Please, isn't there something you could do?"

However, only that was needed as Derek then smiled. "Now how can I say no to a pretty girl like you?" He then looked through his suit. "Aha!" he said, pulling out two more tickets. "Somehow I managed to store away two tickets. Luck must be on your side." He then gave Ash and Brock their tickets. "Now, the boat is supposed to leave from Sunnyshore City in..." He looked at his watch. "Actually, it left five minutes ago." Ash, Dawn, and Brock then face-faulted at this. "Never fear though," he then said as he pushed a button on his watch. "I know a way there that's faster and cheaper."

And before their eyes, a large ship, almost the size of a limousine, appeared in the air and landed in front of them. "That's... yours?" Ash said, surprised.

"No," Derek said. "This is just a ship loaned from the kingdom. Trust me, I have something much better. Well, hop inside!"

The design on the inside was more amazing then on the outside. As they each took a seat, they could only just stare and look around. The inside was filled with a small bar, with plenty of glasses and drinks. It definitely felt like luxury. There was only one thing though that didn't quite add up-

"Since when do we have flying ships?" Brock asked.

Derek, in the cockpit, said, "Well, Cerenia happens to be more technically advanced than any of the regions here. Don't take it the wrong way, you'll get there eventually."

The ship then took off, but surprisingly the ship flew smoothly. "Well, this is definitely a turn of events," Dawn said.

"Piplup," Piplup agreed.

"You got that right," Ash said. "Still, it would be kind of cool to check out new regions we haven't explored yet."

"Hey guys," Brock said, who was looking out the window. "Check this out." They then looked out the window. They were already over the ocean that bordered with Sinnoh. Down below, many Wailord were popping in and out of the ocean.

"Wow," Ash and Brock both said. While they already were amazed, they still had yet to see what was in store for them once they arrived.

(A/N: Okay, it's almost time to bring in another song. This song is practically the continuation of credits. Why do I do that, you ask? Well, it gives it more cinematic effect, and I like it that way. Anyway, the name of the song is "Main Theme" from Lost Odyssey. By the way, I would use videos by djnardu since he has practically all the songs.)

After about another five minutes, they then felt the ship descending down towards, meaning they were arriving at their destination. They descended onto one of the landing pads surrounding the city. Derek got out of the cockpit and then opened their door. *"Welcome to Cerenia City," he then said.

They then got out and were quickly stunned. Before them laid a city, far greater than any city they've ever been in, even Jubilife. Derek then escorted them to where they were going to be staying, for that had already been paid for as well. As they got onto one of the streets, the three of them couldn't help but look at every building that stood in place. It was quite remarkable how architecture could so many different forms. While this was going on, ships were taking off and landing from various locations.

On the ground, there were many cars and buses going by, but there was also many people out in the streets as well. There were restaurants, stores, etc. The city had almost anything. Near the center of the city stood a large fountain, with sculptures of the Pokemon Latios and Latias. Occasionally, they would pass by some guards who were armed with swords. It was like being in the medieval times, only more futuristic.

Soon, they arrived to their destination, which happened to be a large inn called "The Spirit Of The Sea," which itself was a remarkable building, with it's own little fountain. Derek then checked them into their rooms. "Well, my services here are done," he said right before he left. "I hope you all enjoy your stay here."

The three of them then went to their rooms, which were together since they had a suite. Whoever had provided this had quite a bit of money. "This is amazing!" Dawn said as she went around in her separate room. The inn had already provided them with clothes for the night. The room itself reminded them of a small house.

"This is definitely better than what they could possibly provide back in Sinnoh," Ash commented.

"Pikachu," Pikachu said, agreeing.

"Well, seeing what the rest of the city is like, it's no surprise," Brock said. A troubled look then appeared on his face. "The only thing that bothers me is the fact that I've never even heard of this place."

"Now that I think about it, neither have I," Ash said.

"Well, this island is about two hundred miles off the coast of Sinnoh," Dawn said. "So of course we wouldn't have any idea of it's whereabouts or its history. Not to mention how technologically advanced they are."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Ash said. "So, when is this celebration?"

"From what it sounds like, tomorrow night," Brock said.

"Then I guess we still have some free time then," Dawn said. "And seeing that this will be a big celebration, we'll have to find something nice to wear."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Ash said. "Hmm, I wonder if they have anything here for battling or at least training."

Brock went back into his room and opened one of his drawers, which consisted of a map. "Well, this will definitely help."

But even that didn't help. The entire city was full of so many things to do and places to see that it would take days to be able to do all of these. "Well, at least there'll be plenty of shops for me to see," Dawn said, causing Ash, Pikachu, Piplup, and Brock to sweatdrop.

"You're really that obsessed with seeing all these stores?" Ash asked.

Dawn just laughed. "I'm just kidding Ash. Even someone like me could get overwhelmed with so many places like this." She then spotted something on the map that looked like a stadium. "Hey, what do you think this is?"

"Unfortunately, this map doesn't have much of a key," Brock said. "But it is relatively close, and we do have some free time."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Ash asked. "Let's go!" He and Pikachu then rushed out of the room.

"Has he always done that?" Dawn asked Brock, who were both sweatdropping.

"Oh, you have no idea," was Brock's only response as the two ran out the door to catch up with Ash.

(A/N: Okay, so we now get our first glance at Cerenia City. Sorry that it seems a little boring at first, but don't worry, as the story goes along it'll get more exciting. The next chapter for sure is one I've been wanting to do for some time so you'll be in for a treat. So, I'll see you all later.)

FoxMcCloud7921