Chapter 11: Plasma Strikes Back.

I hope you all enjoy this sweet little chapter, Team Plasma will start to become more antagonistic as of this chapter I hope.

May: 17


Dawn woke up after the long night's sleep, she sat up stretched out her arms and yawned before rubbing her eyes, she got out of bed and walked to the window to open the curtains to see what kind of day it was, she looked up to see the grey clouds rolling in and the rain falling in the fields, she heard a knock from her door, "wait up, I am getting ready!" Dawn yelled out as she walked over to her bed to pick up her clothes.

Ash stood outside the room with his arms crossed wondering why Dawn as taking so long, "same as always," Ash commented with a smirk.

"I heard that Ash!" Dawn yelled out causing the trainer to laugh.

Ash waited for a while longer thinking about where the next destination was, "you know buddy, I hope the next city will have a gym," Ash hoped while leaning on the wall next to Dawn's room. "I think we are rushing this challenge too much, I am wondering if Dawn is having a good time traveling with us," Ash wondered to himself while hearing Dawn singing as she was getting ready to while the trainer was feeling guilty about Dawn find her ambition so late in their journey, 'she seems happy but I think she is hiding it,' Ash thought as the door of Dawn's room opened up.

Dawn walked out of the room with her backpack and holding an umbrella, "so Ash, are we heading out into the rain?" Dawn asked the trainer while walking down the hall with their pokemon walking in front of them. Dawn saw Ash's expression noticing that he wasn't his normal self, "hey what's the matter?" Dawn asked with a smile.

Ash jolted his head up after hearing Dawn's question, "am I holding you back from following your goal in this region?" Ash asked with guilt written in his eyes.

Dawn gasped for a moment and placed her left hand over her mouth, "what do you mean Ash?" Dawn asked in shock.

"What I mean Dawn, is that we have only done what I wanted to do," Ash replied while looking to the ground, before looking away from the lady standing next to him, "when you said that you wanted to introduce contests to this region, I suddenly felt like I was the one holding you back," Ash commented much to the bluenette's surprise. Ash stopped in the middle of the hall with his fists clenched in anger towards himself.

Dawn looked back to see the trainer feeling guilty about the lack of interest in Dawn's journey, "you aren't holding me back Ash," Dawn replied as Ash continued to look down at the ground.

"Why do you say that? I know you want to do something, you are missing out on so much all because I want my rematch against Tobias," Ash replied while the two pokemon watched the bluenette walk up to the trainer.

Dawn raised her hand and slapped the trainer much to Pikachu's and Pilup's surprise, "you listen up Ash, I am travelling with you because I want to," Dawn told the raven haired trainer, she kept her hand firmly on his face as he looked into her bright blue eyes shocked at what was happening, "if you want me to do something so badly then let me take your place in the next gym battle," Dawn suggested confidently as she started to remove her hand from her boyfriend's face, "other than that, you better stop and think about the fact that I was waiting for you for two long years, two years of training and not participating in contests," Dawn explained much to Ash's shock.

"Why didn't you compete?" Ash asked while moving his hand up to Dawn's left hand.

"Because you weren't there to cheer me on, competing without your support wouldn't have been the same," Dawn replied as tears started to flow from her face.

Ash grasped Dawn's hand and closed his eyes for a moment, "I never realized that," Ash commented while thinking about the times the two traveled with Brock back in Sinnoh. "You know Dawn, while I was off training there was one person I was thinking about," Ash said while starting to smile, "hoping she as doing well in her contests, only to find now that she wasn't competing," Ash stated while Dawn listened with intent.

"Stop it Ash, you're making me blush," Dawn confessed while she giggled at the trainers comment.

"Dawn, I never said anything about what my training was like at Mt. Silver," Ash remarked while the two commenced their walk back to the main foyer.

The couple looked outside to see the dark clouds hovering in the sky with the rain falling hard and fast, "I think we can wait until the storm clears up," Dawn sighed while taking a seat and placing her chin in both her hands with her elbows on the table, "now Ash please tell me all about your trainer," Dawn requested with great interest while her Piplup rested next to her.

Ash sighed for a moment as the girl smiled at him, "fine but only until the storm clears up," Ash said with a chuckle.

Ash took the seat opposite Dawn and started to stroke his chin with his right hand, "now you know about me capturing Riolu right?" Ash asked the female making her nod in approval, "how about the time I went to watch the Johto Grand Festival, one that May was competing in?" Ash questioned much to her disappointment, "I was having a little break from my training when I decided to watch the Grand Festival," Ash commented.

Flashback

Walking towards the Grand Festival was a trainer with a black hooded jacket with black jeans, he had his Pikachu following him looking around to see the coordinators making the final preparations to their show, "oh man I would have thought Dawn would be here by now," he said while looking around again, he noticed female with short brown hair wearing mostly red preparing her Glaceon for the Grand Festival, "seems like May is competing," Ash said with a proud smile, he looked around again to find that Dawn wasn't around.

The trainer walked closer to find out what May was saying, he hid behind a tree to make sure he wasn't seen, "you know Glaceon, Dawn is totally upset with Ash, she contacted me a few days ago to ask me if I had seen him around," May commented much to the trainers shock, the brunette looked around to see a male behind a tree, she scowled at him and picked up a stone, she threw it at the trainer causing him to scream out in pain, "hey I know that cry," May commented as she gave chase to the person who was running away from her, she looked to the other side of the road and noticed a small yellow pokemon, "is that Ash?" May asked herself while increasing the pace of her pursuit of the trainer.

"Oh man, she is more persistent than ever," Ash complained while looking back to see the brunette gaining on him.

"Wait up Ash, don't hide from me!" May yelled out as she heard the fireworks exploding in the background, "I don't have time for this Ash," May called out as she tackled Ash to the ground.

Ash pulled off the hood that was covering his face and looked at his friend with guilt, "May, why aren't you getting ready to compete?" Ash asked while looking away.

"Ash, what are you doing? Dawn and your mother are very upset with you," May retorted in anger as she got back up to allow her friend to stand on his own two feet, "they said you have been gone for nearly two years Ash," May explained the length of time that he had been gone much to his surprise.

"Two years? No way I thought it had been at least a year," Ash replied in shock with guilt started to creep in.

"No you fool, Dawn is wondering if you're alive or not," May replied in anger as she showed her friend a small brown pokemon which was walking over to him, "seems like my new Eevee has taken a liking to you," May said with a smile before handing Eevee's pokeball to Ash, "here Ash, please take good care of it," May requested with a smile before turning around.

"May, please don't say anything, I will head back to Pallet Town very soon," Ash commented while recalling his new pokemon.

"Ash, I know why you're heading back, you need to tell her how you feel," May instructed the trainer while walking back towards the Grand Festival, "the truth is, Dawn loves you, not because you suffered an embarrassing defeat, but because of who you are as a person," May said while scratching her head with a cheeky smile, "I should know a thing or two about embarrassing defeats, but it doesn't stop me from picking myself up and trying again," May commented with pride, "now go home and kiss Dawn, because if you don't I will come down to your place or where ever you are and beat you up," May said with a cheeky grin before hearing the fireworks end, "oh crud the Grand Festival is about to start," May said in a panic before heading back to the festival.

"May good luck, I hope you win!" Ash yelled out his support to his friend. He turned around to see the sun setting over the mountain, he looked down towards his partner pokemon and nodded happily, "you know something buddy? It's time for us to go home," Ash said before walking off with his partner pokemon, 'May I promise to kiss Dawn,' Ash thought with a chuckle while walking away from the festivities.

Return from flashback

"About two weeks later Eevee evolved into Espeon during a battle against a Larvitar," Ash explained with a smile while picking up some food from his plate, "I caught the Larvitar, but never had the chance to use it," Ash pointed out before stuffing his face with the food in his right hand.

Dawn watched Ash eating his food before an idea popped into her mind, "Ash, I am going to ring a few people," Dawn declared her intentions before walking off towards the phones of the Pokemon Center, she looked back to see that Ash was still busy with his meal, she sat down and pressed in a few numbers before pressing call.

Appearing on the video was an older woman with short blue hair and a warm smile, "oh hello Dawn, it's been a while," she said happily while Glameow walked in front of the screen.

"Hello mom, sorry I haven't called in a while, I have been pretty busy," Dawn professed while scratching the back of her head nervously, "I have been travelling with Ash again."

"So Ash is back, that's good, I was so worried that he might have done something reckless," Johanna state with a sigh as she was petting her cat like pokemon, "so how have your contests gone so far?" Johanna asked her daughter with pride.

Dawn looked down with a frown, "mom there are no contests here in the Unova region, so I have been thinking of introducing contests to this region, but I cannot do it alone," Dawn explained to her mother causing Johanna to nod in approval, "I was wondering mom if you would want to help me out," Dawn suggested but her mother shook her head in disapproval, "why mom?" Dawn asked in shock.

"Because, I have retired from contests, it would also be better for you to get help from people in your age group," Johanna explained while her daughter before hearing the kettle whistling in the background, "I have some stuff I need to do," Johanna said while seeing Ash in the background, "good luck on your plans to introduce contests in Unova, I hope to hear from you soon to hear how it's going," Johanna decreed while her daughter said her farewells.

The two ended the call allowing Dawn to call one of her friends, she pressed in the numbers , "I wonder if May is home at the moment," Dawn wondered out loud before hearing Ash approaching her, after a long time of ringing a female with short brown hair appeared on the phone, "May, nice to see you again," Dawn greeted her friend happily.

"Dawn, nice to hear from you again," May greeted her friend while looking up to see Ash, "so Ash you finally made it back home, you had better heeded my threat," May said as she clenched her fist in front of the screen.

Ash jumped back a little, 'oh man I hope she doesn't jump out of the screen,' Ash thought while chuckling a little, "yeah, I did listen to you May, at least I don't have to worry about getting beaten up by you," Ash joked while his Pikachu jumped on his shoulder.

"You know May, Ash and me are going out now," Dawn said with excitement causing May to celebrate for a moment.

The two watched May jump around in joy, "at long last, so when the wedding happens can I be the bridesmaid?" May asked causing the couple to blush heavily.

Ash and Dawn looked at one another in shock, "oh come on May, we haven't thought that far ahead," Ash and Dawn stated in unison causing May to giggle at the two, "plus we are both travelling in Unova now," the two continued word for word.

May watched in amazement, "yeah, saying the same thing in unison, might as be married right now," May continued to joke before the call was closed off causing May to panic, "oh come on I was only jokng," May stated in anger.

Meanwhile back in the Pokemon Center Ash and Dawn looked around as the lights went out, 'this is just great I was going to ask May to help me out with something,' Dawn thought while looking around to find some of the people panicking about the instant power outage, "there is something not right about this," Dawn looked over to Ash as the storm outside started to clear.

"Yes I know, even if the power was taken out by the storm a generator should have at least kick in by now," Ash pointed out while looking around to find out where the trouble was coming from, the two walked outside the medical facility to find that there was no one around, "this is odd," Ash commented while investigating around the corner with Dawn following close behind. Ash spotted a person near the back door of the Pokemon Center who was exiting from the area, "hey you, what are you doing?!" Ash yelled out to the person who turned around with a menacing smirk on his face, it was then that Ash spotted a Team Plasma insignia on the person's uniform, "Dawn, that's a member of Team Plasma," Ash pointed out with in irritation.

"I see, but why is this one alone?" Dawn asked curiously before the two heard an explosion at the entrance of the medical facility.

"Our boss would have hated for something to happen to you early in the play," the plasma grunt replied before running away from the duo leaving them perplexed at his words.

Ash and Dawn looked at one another before turning around to find that a group of plasma's storming the Pokemon Center, "why did they lure us out?" Ash asked in frustration before pulling out his pokeball, "why are they attacking a Pokemon Center?" Ash asked while getting ready to throw out his pokeball to fight off Team Plasma.

"Because like three years ago, they are trying to make sure they are the only ones with pokemon," a familiar voice told the duo before approaching them, "plus I want to see the potential of Team Plasma," Colress stated while he clicked his fingers to signal a large pokemon with magnets to prevent him from moving, "I cannot let you get in the way of our plans," he declared while laughing at the two trainers.

"Attacking a Pokemon Center, that's a coward's move!" Ash yelled out while being held back by Dawn to prevent him from getting hurt.

"Ash, I will help out at the Pokemon Center, you deal with this guy," Dawn whispered to Ash before running off and leaving the trainer to deal with the Plasma scientist.

"Pikachu, go and help Dawn out, I will be fine here," Ash instructed his pokemon while glaring at he plasma professor.

"Seems like your girlfriend is going to leave you to face me alone," Colress stated while Ash got ready to battle the Plasma member, "would have been better of double teaming me," he said with arrogance.

"Don't get over confident, I am much stronger than you think," Ash replied with an assured smile, "Charizard, I choose you," Ash called for his large orange pokemon to battle against the plasma.

"Ah, one of your strongest pokemon," Colress stated while his Magnazone got ready to attack, "remember I am a very experienced trainer as well," Colress pointed out as the two trainers started glaring at one another, "also there is a reason why we are attacking the Pokemon Center," Colress proclaimed while the two pokemon started to prepare for the battle.

"Why would you do that? Yes you lured Dawn and me out of there, but why?!" Ash yelled out with fists clenched in rage.

"Because our real target is Meloetta, we can use that unique voice to make people release their pokemon," Colress replied with a smile as he got ready to battle the trainer, "Magnazone attack with Discharge," Colress issued his command calmly.

"Charizard, return the favor with Flamethrower," Ash instructed his pokemon with confidence, the large winged pokemon unleashed a powerful burst of flames at the steel type pokemon which released a powerful burst of electricity, the two attacks met in the middle of the battlefield pushing the two trainers away from the pokemon. Ash looked up to see the two pokemon remaining on the same spot, he was shocked to see Colress walking up to his pokemon with a sinister grin, "no way, I didn't even hit his pokemon," Ash commented in disbelief.

"Amazing, it seems like your Charizard is almost at his full potential," Colress taunted the trainer and his pokemon maintaining his cool. "Magnazone attack with Thunderbolt," Colress ordered with certainty, the magnet zone pokemon unleashed a powerful current of electricity at the powerful fire type pokemon.

"Charizard quickly dodge the attack then use Flamethrower again," Ash replied to Colress' attack, the fire type unleashed a powerful flurry of flames at the steel type pokemon only to be met with the same result as the previous attack, Ash gritted his teeth in frustration, 'just what is his deal?' Ash wondered while looking over to his winged pokemon, 'I thought Charizard would easily handle this guy, but he is hold his own even with a steel type,' Ash thought with a grimace wondering how to battle the scientist in front of him.

"Seems like you're getting frustrated in this battle, the top trainers in Team Plasma are far above the Elite Four's level in power," Colress explained with a dark grin while his Magnazone hovered ready to attack again, "it's useless to attack me head on," Colress stated with heightening confidence.

"Well then, time to see what happens if my Charizard attacks from behind," Ash declared before his pokemon roared loudly, Charizard flapped his wings and flew around the magnet zone pokemon, "now attack with Overheat," Ash ordered quickly.

"Not a bad move, but you still need to do better than that," Colress pointed out while laughing at the trainer as his pokemon quickly turned around to face the powerful fire type move, "defend yourself with Discharge," Colress instructed his pokemon with supreme confidence, his pokemon used a powerful electric attack again this time hitting the fire type pokemon before he could release the devastating fire type move, "I told you to be careful," Colress said with a smirk.

Ash gritted his teeth in frustration knowing while trying to figure out what to do next, he recalled his Charizard and got ready to make his counter attack, 'so Charizard was having a problem with this guy, this is not good, I don't want to know how strong the main boss is,' Ash thought while looking at his next pokeball.

"You do want to know a bit about Team Plasma do you, well you will need to defeat me first," Colress decreed while smirking arrogantly at the trainer. The professor started to taunt the trainer, "if you want to defeat me, battle me with your best," Colress instructed the trainer calmly.

Ash slowly calmed down and took a deep breath, 'okay so this guy is using an electric type pokemon,' Ash thought while refocusing on the battle at hand, 'I hope Dawn is doing alright,' Ash's thought trailed off to the bluenette who as battling inside the medical facility, "Garchomp, I choose you," Ash called out his dragon type pokemon while getting ready to restart the battle. "alright Garchomp shake things up with Earthquake," Ash told his mighty dragon type pokemon with confidence.

'Not a bad choice of attack, however he still lacks the potential to awaken Reshiram,' Colress thought as the attack slammed into his Magnazone, "alright return Magnazone, now go Klinklang," Colress said while calling out his next pokemon, this time hovering in front of the mighty land shark was a pokemon with moving gears, "Klinklang attack with Grind Gear," Colress issued his command confidently.

"No way," Ash yelled out while swinging his left arm outwards, "Garchomp, attack with Dragon Claw," Ash instructed his dragon type pokemon.

The two pokemon charged at one another glowing as they got ready to hit their respective attacks, the two pokemon clashed into one another but the steel type was sent flying away from the land shark pokemon, 'not bad, his two pokemon are amazing,' Colress thought while thinking about what he needed to do next, he picked up his pokeball and recalled his pokemon, "it seems like you have bested me for now," Colress said while lifting his right arm up.

Ash turned around to see the Pokemon Center bursting with flames, "no Dawn, I am coming for you!" Ash yelled out before being stopped by the same man he met in the Desert Resort, "N, what are you doing?" Ash asked in anger.

"She is fine, while you kept Colress busy, she managed to get the people out before Team Plasma set the place on fire, sadly they took the pokemon from the center including pokemon from trainers," N explained while looking up to see Colress bursting out into laughter, "what does my father want from these stolen pokemon?" N asked angrily while clenching his fists unable to contain his rage.

"Nothing much, just the power of Kyurem, as well as the melodies of Meloetta who just so happens to be in the area right now," Colress explained while pointing over to the trees showing a small pokemon with long green hair, "the melodies to make people listen, Kyurem to force people to release their pokemon, either way we will get what we want," Colress told N with a smug look on his face.

"My father doesn't get it, when I was defeated by Hilda and Hilbert, I learnt to look at the connection the people and pokemon can share," N explained while Ash listened with intent, "much like when two people share a connection," N stated while Dawn called over to Ash while running towards him.

The bluenette embraced Ash tearfully, "I am sorry Ash, I couldn't help save the pokemon," Dawn apologized while crying at the defeat she had suffered from Team Plasma.

N looked over to his new friends with a smile, "these two like Hilda and Hilbert share a very strong bond, much like they do with their pokemon," N said while calling out his large black pokemon, "I am certain you have met Zekrom before," N decreed while the intimidating dragon unleashed a powerful roar.

"Master Ghetsis, the Shadow Triad and the rest of Team Plasma will test those bonds, between people and pokemon," Colress decreed while walking off from the battle against Ash.

"N, what is going on?" Ash asked the person standing next to him.

"I am a former member of Team Plasma, but that all changed when I was defeated by Hilda and Hilbert," N replied with a smile, "after my defeat, I went out for some soul searching," N stated while recalling his large dragon type pokemon, he walked towards the eastern side of the city before turning around to see Dawn grasping Ash's arm, "you know something, you two have a lot in common with Hilda and Hilbert," N stated proudly before getting ready to leave the city, 'they will meet Hilda and Hilbert very soon,' N thought while remembering the day of his defeat.

"What a strange man," Ash said as he watched the former Plasma walking further away from the city.

Meanwhile from a distance away Meloetta was watching Ash and Dawn preparing to take the western road to their next destination, the legendary pokemon became invisible and followed the two out of the city without being noticed by the people, "When we reach the next city, I want you to battle me," Dawn said happily before she gasped for a moment, "I forgot to ring May back," Dawn said with great disappointment.

"No need to worry Dawn, you can ring her up in the next city's Pokemon Center," Ash replied before reaching the exit of the city.


I hope you liked this chapter, I thought making Team Plasma a threat would make it worthwhile instead of having an easy road to the Unova League by thrashing the gym leaders.

Next chapter I will be giving Dawn some new pokemon, it has been a while since I have let Dawn capture a pokemon.

Next time chapter 12: Return of the Dream Team.