''Maybe a little longer.''
Even though they had training planned Dawn was in no hurry to leave the bed just yet. With Ash still holding her like last night and with her head on his chest she could almost fall back to sleep again. The sun started to shine through the drapes so it was time for her to get up and start her daily activities.
''Wait.'' Feeling her head she checked over her new hairstyle. As she feared it was all out of shape feeling her strands out of place all over. She didn't want Ash to see her like this even though he wouldn't care one bit. And considering she had a new hairstyle, who knows how long it would take for her to get it back into shape.
For some reason Dawn always woke up with her hair in such a way that it looked like she was zapped. It was a silly quirk of the girl that no one would be able to explain. And one that she could do without in front of her boyfriend.
Turning her head, she saw a brush on a nightstand on her side of the bed. Wiggling in Ash's arms trying to shift her position and get a bit closer to the nightstand so that she could grab the brush. Try as she might, it was painstakingly just out of reach for her.
''Just…a…little…further.'' Trying to extend her fingertips even more in hope of eventually grabbing it before Ash opened his eyes.
Feeling something stirring in his arms said boy started to wake up. He felt a person smaller than him in his arms. In his groggy state Ash realized it was Dawn laying next to him like last night. He had no intention to let go. He was just too comfortable at the moment.
Feeling the Coordinator continuing her struggle he conceded and released his grip a bit allowing her a bit more movement. Dawn was able to reposition herself and managed to grab the hairbrush. Not being able to sit up because Ash seemed to refuse to let go she tried combing her hair while laying down. Not with any mirror to go by or familiar brushing techniques for the new pigtails, it was quite a task for her to put it back into form. She went on with this task until she heard the boy next to her speak up.
''Morning. Did you sleep well?'' Dawn wasn't finished yet and had no idea just how much work she still had to do. In a panic she grabbed her pillow and used it to cover one side of her head. Ash saw her a few times before with her hair all wild. But that was with her old style. Who knows what she looked like now.
Opening his eyes Ash looked at the back of Dawn's head. He saw that one tail was perfectly smooth like before but her right side where she was sleeping on was covered up by the pillow she used. He gave a small smile knowing what's been going on and wanted to play around with her. But reminding their mothers talk about compromises in a relationship he stopped himself.
''You need the bathroom first?'' He loosened his grip on her so that Dawn finally could move freely. The girl immediately sped off to fix her hair as quickly as possible. Smiling at her, he got up himself and went to get breakfast. They have a big day ahead of them after all.
After Ash and Dawn had their breakfast they went back to the lab to see everyone again. And to tell the big news of them dating. Tracey once again greeted them inside and to the field back outside to see all of Ash's Pokémon again. The Tauros that all roamed outside the lab were already heading towards the group.
''Here come the Tauros again.'' Tracey would think that after seeing Ash the day before the Pokémon would've clamed down somewhat. But their excitement of seeing him again was enough for them to still come running towards the group. After the noise of the stampede died down he was still standing in one piece just like yesterday.
''Some things never change huh?'' Tracey turned around and aimed his comment towards Dawn expecting the Coordinator to still be standing there like she was yesterday. Instead of a pretty girl a young man with a Pikachu on his shoulder stood next to him. The artist's face grew pale.
''But if you're here then where's…'' Ash realized what he was getting at screamed in panic.
''DAWN!'' Hearing the screaming girl in the distance not being used to such a wild ride. Clutching onto the mane of the Tauros she held on for dear life in order to not fall off. Ash without thinking ran after her in hopes of catching up.
A grey flash flew over him trying to catch up to the running bulls. Dawn felt something grabbing her with sharp nails and lifted her off the Tauros. Hovering in midair she turned her head and looked at the thing that was holding her.
''Thank you Staraptor.'' Thanking the Flying type she knew all too well from saving her from the situation she was in. Ash eventually caught up to her out of breath. Thanking Staraptor for saving her he felt the ground shake again. Seeing all his other Pokémon running towards him Ash stepped in front of Dawn trying to intercept them. Some of them clashed with the trainer while some others went by him and started to affectionately hug the Coordinator the same way they did with him.
''What's going on?'' Ash wondered. That's what Pikachu wanted to know as well. All of his Pokémon were extremely friendly with Dawn all of a sudden. It looked like all of them wanted something from her and were behaving strange after just playing and getting to know the girl yesterday. Going over to some of them he started asking questions to the others. After hearing an answer he went to Ash.
Pikachu started pointing towards his Alola Pokémon and started making kissy faces. Despite not talking the language of Pokémon, Ash understood what his buddy for years meant with it having a pretty good grasp on his body language.
''THEY WHAT!'' Dawn as well was eager to find out what they did. Ash explained that his Alola party already told everyone about their status as a couple and told exactly what happened between them. Tracey listening as well butted in surprised to hear it.
''Wait? You two are dating?'' The couple started to sweat over it. Being put on the spot they told exactly what they were.
After telling the assistant what happened and why they kept it from him he congratulated them on their relationship. He didn't knew the girl that well but if she had managed to capture the future Pokémon Master's heart she couldn't be that bad. Ash and Dawn were happy that people and Pokémon in their environment were approving of them dating each other. Now with that type of stress out of the way, they could finally start working on Dawn and Lopunny's Mega Problem.
''So Mega Lopunny. What can you tell me what happens. Besides the attitude.'' What exactly did Ash know about Mega Lopunny? Besides what it looked like and that she could kick pretty hard not that much. He wanted to see just how much he could help her before asking other people for help.
''She gains the Fighting type when she evolves. And the Ability Scrappy. So she can hit Ghost types with Normal and Fighting type moves. That's what Professor Rowan told me.''
''Well. Any idea how Lisia uses Mega Evolution in her Contests?'' Since Lisia was the Coordinator Dawn talked about he hoped she knew a bit more about her so that they can use the Contest Idol as a reference point to create an appeal for Mega Lopunny after Dawn and her mastered it. He wanted Dawn to practice her routine first. Get used to it on an ordinary level before going all Mega again. Get Lopuuny to know something that might feel familiar when she Mega Evolves, something to hold on too and that prevents losing control again.
''When Lisia's Altaria Mega evolves it gains the Fairy type. I heard she shows off the typing it gained instead of the Flying type which she lost with evolving. So I need to show off her gained typing, to make the audience see it's completely new Pokémon.''
Fighting types weren't exactly known for their elegance which Dawn always tried to create in her appeals. Fighting types were known for incredibly direct and to the point and it would affect the actual performance she herself wanted to show. The Pokémon had to be the centre of attention but still it had to look pretty. Just breaking bricks wasn't going to cut it.
''Showing off her Fighting type huh?'' Ash knew exactly which of his Pokémon could help her with this current dilemma.
''Hey Hawlucha!'' Ash called over to his own Fighting type and it showed up just as he predicted.
Hawlucha is a small, bipedal bird-like Pokémon. It has red, cape-like wings that are connected to its tail with green undersides and small clawed hands. It has red chest feathers, a white abdominal area and legs with small yellow feet. It has a green, mask-like face with an orange stripe down the middle, as well as orange rings around its eyes. Hawlucha has a small, red beak, and a white patch underneath it. It also has three orange tassle-like appendages jutting out of the back of its head. Its eyes have black sclera and large yellow irises.
''Can you help us with our training Hawlucha?'' Ash asked his Pokémon already knowing the answer. The Wrestler Pokémon started posing and flexing its muscles in front of the coordinator, taking positions a bodybuilder would deem worthy.
''Dawn wants to see just how flashy Fighting type moves can be. And who else is better than you? Do you want to show her how great your moves are?'' Again the Wrestler Pokémon started taking more poses. Seemed like he was a real macho. Dawn giggled at seeing a bit of Ash in him. Sometimes in his eagerness to look impressive, Ash was willing to show off as well from time to time.
Even if he would look a bit silly at times like his Pokémon did now.
Ash looked over for a place to show off his Hawlucha to Dawn. Seeing some rocks a bit further away on the field they would make for the perfect tool for his demo. Whispering into the Pokémon's ear in what he had in store for her Hawlucha understood it and went on as Ash told him too.
''Flying Press.'' Hawlucha jumped pretty high gaining altitude. When he reached the apex of his jump he started falling down towards the rock Ash wanted him to smash. Spinning in midair and using his wings to adjust the angle of descent. Opening up his wings it made contact with his full weight shattering the rock. Pieces of debris now hung in midair and Ash was ready to follow up on it.
''Spin and use X-Scissor on those rocks.'' The Wrestler Pokémon jumped straight up. Crossing the claws on his wings into a x-shape the claws started to glow green. Cutting up the pieces into small particles of dust the green hue from the X-Scissor now shined in between the rocks and Hawlucha. Landing on the ground he opened his wings like a peacock would show his feathers proudly while a rain of a greenish brown sparkles and stars descending on the Fighting type making for a spectacle to behold.
''And that's it I guess.'' They finished up their demonstration. Dawn and her Pokémon clapped at the showing. At least when they master it they had a clue which direction to go.
''So cool.'' She couldn't wait to draw all sort of combinations with her own Pokémon which incorporated Mega Lopunny. Walking over to the Wrestler Pokémon to thank him Dawn bend her knees and was now making direct eye contact with him.
''Thank you Hawlucha.''
Dawn pecked the Wrestler Pokémon on his forehead. Usually being such a cool and collected Pokémon, he wasn't used to such a showing of affection from someone. Ash's congratulatory hug after a tough battle was as far he normally allowed it to go. A small red blush came across the tough Pokémon's exterior before he flew away before anyone else could make fun of him. This left Ash a bit disgruntled.
''What about my kiss?'' Happily knowing that he wanted a kiss from her. Ash hasn't really demanded one yet as of late, so this was a nice turn of events.
''Hawlucha was the one who showed me how to use Fighting type moves in my appeals. He was the one who did all the hard work.'' Dawn started to joke around. She still needed to get back at his for his lady with the beard remark from yesterday.
''But I'm his trainer. No fair.'' Ash pouted having his arms crossed over each other looking away. Dawn resisted the urge to giggle at his immature behavior, but found it amusing that he would feel threatened by one of his own Pokémon for her affections.
''Jealous?'' A grin made itself across Dawn's face. Ash denied her acquisition with a simple no, not willing to let much on.
''Really?'' Dawn started to poke a bit more trying to get a response out of him. He deserved that much after his remark about her and Mamoswine earlier. Standing on her tippy toes she whispered.
''No need to worry. You'll get your kiss later.'' She went back to her Pokémon in order to start her training to present more of the Fighting type leaving Ash all flustered. All of the Pokémon with him were laughing after he was put on the spot not being used to him being so overwhelmed by just one little thing the girl said.
Am I the only one who thinks Hawlucha would make for a great Contest Pokémon?
I'm really doubting if I should give Ash a Mega. Remember the whole trial thing Korrina had to go through to get her Lucarionite? Crossing dangerous paths? Fighting a Blaziken? These stones should be extremely difficult to come by but after seeing the episodes previews for Sun and Moon we're apparently handing out Mega Stones like M&M's right now.
So don't come complaining if I give any character a Mega from now on since I do have a few planned for some characters later on.
The next chapter is going to come out a few days after those two episodes aired. So nothing for two weeks at least.
See you around (I hope)