Preface: I don't usually talk directly to the audience but I have a small announcement. If you started reading the story any time before chapter 10 then I ask that you go back and reread chapter 7. I realized that I had made a mistake when uploading the documents and uploaded the unedited version. I ask that you reread it because there are quite a few changes.

Ash: Get on with the damn story!

Me: Hey, I'm getting to that. Don't you want people to know what really happened?

Dawn: Yeah Ash calm down. We will get to your favorite part when we get there.

Ash: But that will be in like forever.

Dawn: Then have this to hold you over. *kisses Ash*

Ash: Alright I'm ok

Me: You guys were made for each other. Now on with the fanfic!

I woke up with Pikachu nestled into my side. I sat up, and stared into my hands. My eyes hurt from crying last night. My head dropped until my neck hurt. I got out of bed to go get some breakfast. I don't want anyone to see me like this. Especially not Dawn.

I walked to the door, turning the handle and pushing out. Thud. What? The door seemed to move faster after, something was outside. I saw Dawn lying on the floor asleep. Well, someone, not something. She was wearing the outfit. Oh man…She looks so cute in that outfit. Control yourself Ash, not like you did anything to deserve the occasion.

I looked down at her sleeping face; my face went a light shade of red. Then she sat up, yawning and stretching. She looked at me; my face skipped a few shades and went right to full on red.

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty." I greeted her, trying to fight the nervous energy in me.

"How long have you been staring?" She asked rubbing her eyes.

"Only a few seconds, I just got up myself." She tried getting up, but her attempts ending in her laying back down. "Let me help you up." She stuck her hands out and I lifted her onto her feet. She still wasn't quite awake, falling into me. If I hadn't already been red, I was now. I felt a large amount of heat welling in my face.

"Thanks." she said, peeling off of me.

"Why were you outside my door just now?"

"I came to find you. You looked pretty upset walking out of the area last night."

"Yeah well it was my last battle. I wanted it to be a win."

"I can understand that part Ash, but, I'm still confused why it is your last battle."

"I told you two nights ago night. I don't feel like traveling and battling anymore."

"Come on Ash, it has been your dream to be the very best, you said so in the first few days I met you... You can't just stop now."

"I just can't handle it anymore. After Cilan and Iris started going out, I couldn't travel with them anymore. They were driving me crazy and hindering me. I feel like I haven't gotten anywhere in competitions. It's so frustrating, knowing I've been doing this for years and I haven't won a single title..."

"But Ash! Look at everything else you've done! Does a title matter that much when -"

"Can we talk about this over breakfast?" I had to cut her off. It was getting painful to respond. I was done. I didn't want to think about my decision.

"Fine. Sure." She said in a huff. "Let's go", she said while rubbing her eyes

We walked downstairs after changing and went out to pick up breakfast. We grabbed a meal from one of the temp food tents. Everyone was going to pack up tomorrow since the Grand Festival was over.

We found a table in the shade and started eating. I was starving; I hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday.

"So, you waited outside my door last night?" I asked Dawn.

"Well, you were extremely upset last night and I wanted to try and cheer you up. You don't usually get this upset over a loss."

My head dipped. I clenched my fork, knuckles turning white. I couldn't reply. I thought I bought myself time to work up the strength to speak again about it all. I was wrong. I pulled my head up and looked into her eyes.

She was staring at me with those sapphire eyes. She was biting her lip, concern brimming throughout. She is worried about me. At least there is something to hold on to.

I reached for my drink with my other hand, it had disappeared. Actually, the whole table disappeared. WHATTTT?! In the place of the table was a young man, he looked a bit older than me. He handed me my drink, I took it into my hand, still in disbelief. This young man had just fallen from the sky and destroyed the table. He didn't even look hurt.

"Are you Ash Ketchum?" He asked me.

"Ye... Y-y-y Yes. Who is asking?" I replied.

"My name is Tyler James. I represent the Elite Company."

"The what?"

"The Elite Company. They are the strongest trainers, gathered from across the globe, and nestled into one area. It's kind of like a League, without the map and townies."

"And why are you telling me this?"

"The Elite Company has chosen you. They pick one trainer every year to compete for the title and prestige belonging to company-men. Winning means you place as the strongest trainer in the globe. Here's a card that has a formal invitation and the coordinates to the first of the Company."

He handed me the card and walked off.

I turned over the envelope and Inscribed on the letter was a note:

Yes, Cynthia was selected. She competed a few years ago. She lost at number 4 and left. Best Wishes, T.D.J

I looked down at it and saw the coordinates, and the table remnants. Then I went to throw the card out. Like I could win that. I couldn't beat Cynthia, let alone trainers stronger than her.

"Wait, Ash! You aren't just going to throw out this invitation, are you?!" Dawn grabbed my wrist before I could get to the trash can.

"Why shouldn't I?"

"This could help you rekindle your dream to be a master!"

"But, I don't want to travel and struggle anymore."

"Then do it for your dream, which can't act alone. Do it for your Pokémon. They want another chance to make things right."

Those words made me stop and think. They deserve it...

"Ok, fine. I'll make the journey and take them on. But, only if you come with me."

She smiled, "It's a deal." Swweeeetttt. I had a travelling partner, and it was familiar face and the love of my life. And outfit. Stop it Ash, save it for later. We turned back to our table, or what was left of it. We looked at each other with the "what do we do" look, and began to back away. That was when we heard someone calling to us.

"Dee-Dee!" It was Kenny. Fan-fucking-tastic.

"Oh dear Arceus. It's Kenny again." Dawn said as she buried her face in hands. "Ever since you left he has been trying to make me go out with him."

"Dawn," he had finally approached us, "why are you hanging out with this loser?"

"Kenny, leave me alone." Dawn said from her hands, slightly muffled.

"Come on Dawn, I got us reservations to that new restaurant in Pastoria. Let's go!"

"I believe that she asked you to leave her alone." I said slowly getting up. "So leave before she gets upset."

"O-hhhhh. Sooo Scarryy. What are you gonna do? Battle me? Because it looked like you lost your battle with Cynthia yesterday." Low blow. He was really starting to piss me off.

Thankfully Dawn cut in before. "Kenny, leave us alone. Ever since I've known you, you have been a complete jerk."

This hit him hard. He looked infuriated.

"Fine! If you wanna hang out with this loser, go right ahead!" He stormed off. I saw some tears forming in his eyes as he spun around. Obviously he really liked Dawn.

I looked over to Dawn who was starting to cry.

"Hey, don't let him bother you. We will leave for the Elite Company tomorrow. How does that sound?" I asked.

"Thank you." She said through the tears. I wiped a couple away, and smiled, trying to reassure her.

We went back to the Pokémon Center and stayed there most of the day. Pikachu and Buneary seemed to be doing better and Piplup was looking at Meloetta with hearts in his eyes. It almost made me want to get Oshawott to watch them fight over her. Dawn and I were making preparations for our new adventure together.

I can't wait to go to face the EC, especially with Dawn by my side.