Chapter Seven

(A.N: Anyone who is still reading this, leave whatever review you want, and tell me who you want Ash to end up with, I will wait approximately 7 days to post the next chapter [it pains me to do it too (I might work on some other stories I've been thinking about)]. In Chapter Eight, I will have Ash end up with whoever you voted for, only vote once, and only vote for one person [that is of course...if you want him to end up with one person ;P ]...thanks.)

Dawn was standing in the doorway staring at May and Ash, both of whom were in Ash's bed. May and Ash began to blush and tears began to form in Dawns eyes and she ran from the room. Ash quickly got out of the bed and followed her, leaving May behind. She felt a little angry at Ash for leaving her here, but then felt guilty. Sure, her and Dawn weren't the best of friends, but they were friends none the less. When they were done at Oaks, she decided she'd have to pull the two of them aside and ask Ash who he would rather be with.

Ash was having a hard time keeping up with Dawn; the girl could run fast when she wanted to. She'd run out of the house and into the forest and kept running until even she was sure she was lost. She sat down at the base of one of the trees and began to cry. 'How could they do that?' she thought. 'Ash knew how she felt, and so did May. But there they were, in bed together.' She heard footsteps nearby and looked around. Ash ran past the tree was sitting at, and completely missed her. She stood up and quietly followed him. After a couple of minutes he stopped, and Dawn hid behind a tree.

"I hope she hasn't gone this far in," Ash said. "I'm not even sure of the way back."

Dawn smiled at this. The two of them were lost in the woods together. The semi-perfect alone time. She stood out from behind the tree and wiped her tears away.

"I'm here Ash," she called out.

Ash spun around and spotted her. He smiled, ran up to her and hugged her. She stood there for a couple of seconds in shock before returning the hug.

"Don't ever run off like that again," Ash said to her. "You had me really worried."
"I won't," Dawn told him.

She broke the hug but kept her hands on the back of his neck. She looked into his eyes for a few seconds before kissing him. Ash returned the kiss and the two stood there for almost a minute kissing. Until Dawn realised that she was holding her breath. She pulled away and took a deep breath, then laughed a little bit with Ash.

"I love you Ash," she said, hoping he would say it back.

Ash opened his mouth to say something when a helicopter flew by overhead.

"That must be Professor Ivy," Ash said. "We should probably get back."

Dawn nodded, but was still a little hurt that Ash still didn't say it. The two ran in the direction the helicopter had gone. After a few minutes, they arrived back at Ash's house. Staraptor was waiting beside Delia and Phione was being held by May.

"Where did you two go off to?" Max asked.
"Nowhere," Ash said, returning to Staraptor to its Pokeball and taking Phione from May.

May kept looking from Dawn to Ash, hoping to find out what happened without asking, but Ash just turned around and began to walk toward Oak's lab. She sighed and followed him along with the others. They arrived at the entrance to Oak's and saw a black helicopter at the gates. Ash frowned at it.

"I thought Ivy had a white helicopter," Ash said.

BOOM! One of the walls to Oak's lab exploded outward. Ash and the others ran up to Oaks lab. The front door was blown off its hinges and Brad, John, Maxie, Archie, Giovanni and Cyrus walked out. Ash and the others gasped as they all looked at Brad, who looked a lot like Ash.

"Brad?" Delia whispered.

Brad smiled as he walked past and entered the helicopter. When they were all inside the helicopter took off.

A few minutes earlier...

The helicopter landed outside of Oak's lab and the group exited and proceeded up the hill. Brad knocked on the front door and waited a few minutes.

"Yes, how can he-" Oak said, opening the front door.

He looked at Brad in shock for a few seconds before smiling.

"Brad, good to see you," Oak said. "Even if has been almost eleven years. Come back to be with Delia and your son have you?"
"Of all things, I'm afraid not old friend," Brad said. "I'm actually here for a very rare flute that you have."

Oak finally took notice of who Brad was with. He didn't recognise John, but he did recognise the others.

"I don't suppose you're being held hostage?" Oak asked.
"No, I'm not," Brad answered, smiling. "The flute please. I would rather not have to hurt you. I have a great deal of respect for you."
"But not for Delia it would seem. I don't know what you want with the Azure flute. It is just a flute."
"I've heard some rumours that it is more than just a flute, Samuel. I'm sure you've heard them too."
"Oh you don't believe them do you? You would surely know that they have been tested."
"I'm certain I can get it to work."
"If you're with them Brad, I'm not going to give it to you."
"What if they wait outside?"
"No, Brad. Please leave."
"I'm going to have to insist."

He pushed Oak into the building and the group walked in. The six of them looked around the entire building but couldn't find it.

"Where is it Sammy?" Brad asked him.
"You are not going to get it," Oak said fiercely.
"Samuel, I'm going to ask one more time or I will destroy this lab."

Oak though about it for a few seconds. Brad smiled and released his Aerodactyl from its Pokeball.

"Last chance Oak," Brad said.

Oak took notice that Brad had called him by his last name. He sighed and pointed behind his sketch of Celebi. Brad carefully removed it and passed it to Oak. There was a safe built into the wall.

"Twenty five, forty two and thirty six," Oak said in defeat.

Brad entered the combination and removed the flute from the safe before closing it.

"Brad, the pilot just informed that Ash and his friends are here," John said.

Brad smiled and pointed at the wall. Aerodactyl fired a Hyperbeam at it, causing it to explode. He pointed at the door and the Aerodactyl flapped its wings once at it, causing it to be blown outwards.

"Goodbye Oak," Brad said, and walked out, the others right behind him.