"We heard the story about your trip with Ash…" Tracey sat next to Dawn, facing away. "…is it true?"

The blue Coordinator adjusted herself, trying to disguise the fact that she was trying to cover Ash's ears with her skirt.

"Er… What – What do you mean?"

"That he's Sato."

"Wh-Who told you that?"

"Casey and Bianca."

Dawn looked down, not knowing what to say. This conversation wasn't supposed to happen. That story wasn't supposed to be told. Everyone was supposed to keep it a secret; Ash had bound them to that promise. 'It would cause too much problems' he had said.

And now the problems were starting…

…

"So it's true?"

"…yes."

Tracey sighed. "So what do you think?"

"What do I think about what?"

"That we're repeating history…"

Dawn's eyes narrowed. "…repeating history?"

"The same disaster's going to happen all over again. It's almost the same exact situation, just with different places and characters."

"…different characters…"

Tracey looked up to the full moon and covered it with his palm. He turned and tilted his hand, studying its every line and curve being highlighted by moonlight. "Can you imagine that? We all used to be someone else… I wonder who I used to be in that past."

The Coordinator looked into her own hands. Who I used to be…

"Casey said only Bianca, Latias, and Ash remembered something about that past. Something about how being pivotal to this new fight allows them to remember…"

His hand closed into a fist. "I don't know what that means for the rest of us, but I do know one thing… that means Ash is going to be in the same position as he was when he was Sato."

Dawn's hands began to tremble. …how come I don't remember anything? Am I not important to this? Am I not important to Ash…?

She held back her tears, afraid of the group seeing her.

…Ash… you're going to move forward, aren't you? And I'll just be me… You'll go out and save the world and meet so many more people, and I'll just be me…

…I don't want to be me without you, Ash. I don't know why. I don't know what I'm so scared about. But I want to only be me as long as I matter to you… I want to matter to you…

I want you to always be there with me…

Dawn found herself holding Ash's sleeping head close to her chest.

She frowned and let his head back onto her lap.

"…so what are you going to do?"

Tracey's voice broke through her thoughts.

"What do you mean?" She looked towards him.

He still wasn't facing her – his back being the only thing she could see. From this position it was obvious that he didn't want others to know that they were talking.

"If Ash tries to reset the universe again…"

She gasped. "Wh-What?"

"No matter how much this world changed, we're still going to end up in the same situation." The sketch-artist loosened his shoulders, as if showing exhausted surrender. "And Ash is more than likely going to have to make the same decision."

"But what if it doesn't happen the same way?"

"And if it does? What will you do?"

…

…

"I… don't understand what you're asking."

"We all talked about it while the rest of you were gone…" Tracey adjusted himself and began sketching. Whether he was actually sketching or merely pretending to be busy, Dawn wasn't sure. "…Sabrina, while the most logical of us, has gotten too close to Ash. Maylene's next in line, but she can get irrational at times too. She also tends to avoid topics when she doesn't like them.

"May is far too loyal to him to try anything. Bill obviously isn't here with us. And even if he was, I doubt he'd really believe in all this universal-restart business. Liza said she didn't want to try anything too hasty – so she plans on just watching and waiting. Solana admitted she's more concerned with stopping Team Rocket and doesn't really care what Ash does after that. We already know that Angie and Anabel won't do anything against him. Bianca wouldn't say anything about the story, so it's easy to assume she won't do anything. And if Bianca doesn't do anything, then Latias obviously won't do anything either…"

The Coordinator stopped his long explanation with a sigh. "I don't know what you're trying to say. You still haven't explained to me what you were asking."

"I'm naming off the people who have items that relate to Ash. Or ones who were with him when he escaped the original attack on his home. The ones he picked because of the black marble."

"…I know that, but why are you naming them off?"

"Because they'll most likely be the ones directly involved with that final battle. More than likely, they'll be the ones that help Ash make the final decision."

"Okay… but why are you asking me? He… never looked for me… I just ended up here." she frowned, holding back any outward signs of her depression.

"You mean, Bianca never told you?"

"Never told me what? All we ever did was bicker."

Tracey laughed quietly. "I guess she wouldn't want to tell you then."

"What? What didn't she tell me?" Excitement was building up inside her. "Tell me!"

"Shhhh…" Tracey reached back in a panic and covered her mouth.

"…hmm? …what's going on?"

Dawn turned stiff. She looked down. Ash was looking up at her.

"Oh…h-hi Ash… it's nothing. G-Go back to slee–"

He began snoring before she could finish her sentence.

…

She let out a sigh of relief.

"Be quiet." Tracey hissed.

"Then tell me what she told you."

"Thing is… you and Ash didn't seem to catch it, but Latias and Bianca did."

"Catch what? Quit with the dramatics."

"You were there."

"There where?"

"In Sato's past. You were with him."

"What exactly are we waiting for?" Angie grumbled. She took another bite of her cold sandwich and leaned back onto the pure white stump.

May frantically pressed icons on the screen, trying her best to prevent her virtual character from missing a dance step. "Just. Waiting. For Bill to call."

"Did he even say he was going to call today?"

"No. No… No! No! No No No No NoNoNONONONO! COME ON!" The Empathic Coordinator slammed her head against the pokétab as her low score displayed in a flashing red font.

"Why don't we call him?"

"I don't know his number…" May groaned angrily into the screen.

"Can't you just call him back through some call-back feature or something?"

May peeled the pokétab off her face and shoved it towards the tomboy. "If you can find that, you do it. I seriously don't know how to check previous calls on that thing."

Angie stared at the device and pressed buttons randomly.

…

…

"Aha!"

May sat up straight. "Did you find it?"

Angie grinned with pride. "I found out how to exit the game!"

SLAM.

May planted her face against the white stump. She groaned.

The tomboy began looking through the different programs available.

What's this? …a diary?

The female Empathic immediately looked up and glared.

Angie locked eyes with her. Oh crap… I forgot she's an Empathic…

"Eheh… look at the time…" she slowly rose to her feet.

"Angie, don't you dare…"

"Don't do wh– See ya'!" The tomboy ran off, with pokétab in hand.

"ANGIE!" May roared as she stumbled to her feet. "GET BACK HERE!"

"I'll give it back once I'm done! Promise!" Angie yelled back with a laugh.

Maylene avoided another strike and launched a counter kick.

Her foot bounced off Lucario's chest harmlessly.

The blue jackal frowned.

With a shrug, she scratched her head embarrassingly. "Sorry, Lucario. Just not feeling it today."

It tilted its head.

"No offense, but I just really want to fight Ash."

Lucario folded its arms and grunted.

"N-No, nothing's wrong with you. You just don't really fight with your heart like he does."

BOF. An Aura Sphere exploded against her face.

She rubbed her nose in pain. "I said HEART! Not Aura!"

Lucario turned away.

"Oh come on, don't be like that. I love sparring with you. I just really wanted to fight with Ash today."

It waved her off.

"Well I can't. He's busy right now. Got an army to set up and he ain't got time for me right now."

It turned towards her and shrugged.

"I can't just force him! That's rude! Besides, I want him to ready this army up. Sooner we get this done, sooner I can ask him out."

Lucario smirked.

"Well duh I like Ash. I thought that was obvious."

His smirk became a knowing smile. He raised his brow.

Maylene's cheeks turned pink. "M-Marry? Whoah whoah whoah now! One step at a time, Lucario!"

He kept his brow raised as he tilted his head.

"I – I don't know if I can commit like that! Yet, at least! I mean, I've got a Gym to run! I've still got to train more! And and –!"

Lucario put his hand to his chin and grunted.

"R-Run the Gym with me? … I uh…" Maylene put her hands to her cheeks and began to sweat. "I d-don't think…. I mean, um… h-he is talented…"

She shook her head and glared at him. "Quit putting thoughts in my head like that! It's just a date! Just to get to know each other better."

He shook his head, scratching his ear.

"What do you mean I won't get the chance?" Maylene narrowed her eyes. "You don't think I'm a good catch?"

He looked away and snickered.

"Hey! I know I'm not as pretty as the other girls… or as… 'developed'… but I've got personality! And unlike them, I could save him if he gets in trouble. They're all just princesses. Even if Ash doesn't know it yet, he'd be happier with a warrior."

Lucario shifted his eyes quickly to his right.

Maylene glanced and found a familiar tomboy climbing a tree.

"Who? Angie?" She put her hand to her chin and studied the young woman. "I guess. But I doubt she'd get the courage to ask Ash out first."

Lucario then made an impression of a person with an extremely serious face. He used his Aura to accentuate his body.

"Sabrina? No way! She's like… well… actually, I don't know how old she is. But no way!"

…

"You seriously think so? I mean I know they're close, but would they actually?"

He shrugged.

"Well if she does…" Maylene cracked her knuckles and punched forward. "We can settle it in a fight. I've always wanted to fight a Psychic of her caliber!"

Lucario sighed.

"Is he worth it?"

…

She gave it some thought.

"Well, I'm not sure if he's worth it. But he sure is fun. Don'tcha' think?"

Lucario smiled.

Maylene smiled back.

"At least we agree on that."

"You sure you don't want to eat?"

"I'm not really hungry."

…

Ash stared at the soup he had prepared for Anabel.

He sighed. I don't really want to eat this myself…

…

Anabel?

…

"Anabel?"

"Y-Yes?"

"S-Sorry… I'm just not used to you not talking to me with your Empathy."

Anabel looked down, her eyes showing revealing sadness – though it didn't matter much to the one who couldn't see. "Oh sorry… I guess I'm just not used to talking like that. It's been a while."

Is… Is this better?

Ash could feel the hesitation, fear, and anxiety in her emotions.

He held her hand instinctively. "You don't have to if you don't want to, Anabel."

She blushed and gave a slight frown. "It's not that I don't want to… I'm just not used to it. I just kept myself locked up for so long… trying to keep them out. I-It feels weird to know that they won't… they won't…"

The female Empathic was starting to break. Her emotions beginning to shake and crack.

Ash wrapped his arms around her and pressed her head against his chest. "It's okay. You're here now. You're fine. I'm here, Anny."

Broken.

ASH! ASH! I HELD, ASH! I HELD! Th-They didn't get it from me! They couldn't! It's not for them! I protected you! I kept you safe! The others broke! The others gave in! But I never did! I never did, Ash! OH GOD! ASH!

She was wailing into his chest. Her hands desperately held onto his head, as she continued to shatter.

I wouldn't let them in! I couldn't let them in! THEY COULDN'T PULL ME OUT! NO! THEY COULDN'T! I HELD! I HELD! I DID! I SWEAR! I SWEAR! But… But… they locked me away! They locked me away, Ash! I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY! I didn't… I didn't want them to! I didn't want them! I WANTED YOU ASH! NOT THEM!

His heart tore.

Her emotions far too strong and far too hurt for a single person to bear, he carried them with her.

Anabel's emotions during her capture were in stark contrast with what her body and mind had felt. Instincts had told her then to give in. And logic told her to save herself or there'd be nothing left for Ash to have. But her emotions fought against these – and because of it, her heart was torn.

She had given all of herself to protect Ash, all for the irrational gamble that it would pay off. That he'd return her feelings. Return her love.

Her cries went silent.

…

No… she felt towards him. Even if you don't choose me, it's okay. I would've done it either way. Because I love you, Ash.

Her heart calmed. Her breathing slowed.

I… don't love you more than myself, I am myself, and myself loves you. I don't love you more than anything – I just know I love you, and nothing can compare to it.

Anabel looked up to him. His face so peaceful, yet his tears continued flowing.

She wiped them away.

I don't know why I love you so much, Ash. I just do. I know I didn't love you this much when I first met you… and I know I didn't love you this much before they took me away from you… but I love you so much now. I can't explain it. I just do, Ash. And…

"It's okay if you don't. I know you love me. I feel it now."

The female Empathic brushed her head against his neck and took a deep breath in. You smell nice…

"I don't know why I love you Ash. But you never questioned why you felt this way for me… you just did. So I will too."

She looked into his eyes. Blank, empty, but with so much emotion behind them.

"I know it sounds silly… but I think I was made for you, Ash…"

"Anabel…"

…can you call me Anny again? I really like that name…

"…Ann–"

"HEY PRINCESS! GET YOUR HANDS OFF HIM!"

The tomboy's voice echoed against the trees.

The sound made Anabel boil up in anger.

Angie… her emotions growled.

A horribly familiar tension filled the air.

Oh no… Ash sighed.

The tomboy stomped towards them. "I know I said Ash needed you and all…"

She violently ripped Ash away from her. "But that didn't mean you could cling onto him like a heracross to a tree!"

Anabel's lip formed a smirk. You've lost, tomboy. "If anything, Ash was clinging onto me. We were having a heartfelt moment. By his choice."

"Of course it was. Because he wanted to comfort you. Anyone would if they heard you howling like a wailord!"

Her eye twitched. "It was more than just that, trust me. Ash wanted me in his arms. Ask him yourself."

"And play your game? No thank you." Angie stepped in close and frowned. I'll wipe that ugly smug off your face, princess. "I think it's sad that you always resort to being passive aggressive. Always hiding behind someone else to take care of your problems."

"Excuse me?"

"You're trying to manipulate Ash into making a choice he doesn't want to make!"

"Who says he doesn't want to make it?"

"Apparently the girl Ash always goes to for fair and non-judgmental advice!" It wasn't a card Angie liked to play, but she would gladly bring it out if it meant it would silence Anabel. She continued, "And not the princess that keeps forcing him to feel and think things on her convenience!"

"YOU-!" Anabel stood and bared her teeth.

"Wanna' go at it again? Because we can settle that little fight right here! Right now! No Officer Jenny's to stop us!"

"Um…" Ash pathetically tried to interrupt.

"STAY OUT OF IT!" the two shouted in unison.

"But… May's coming."

"SO?" Anabel fumed.

Angie, however, understood what that meant.

"Oh crap! Um… We'll settle this later, Anne!" the tomboy gave an awkward bow and started running.

"YEAH YOU GET OUT OF HERE!"

…

Anabel exhaled and relaxed. Using her fingers, she combed her hair back into perfection and straightened the wrinkles off her coat.

She gave an apologetic smile towards Ash. "S-Sorry about that… I must've seemed a little –"

"Where is she?"

May came charging in. Exhausted and out of breath, but enough energy and air to shout angrily.

The lilac-haired Empathic smiled in superiority and shook her head. "What did Angie do now?"

"She took my diar– I mean, the pokétab!"

Anabel pointed her in the right direction.

The Coordinator sprinted off.

…

Diary? Anabel considered. If helped May, I could get Angie pummeled... Or I could help Angie and find what's in that diary.

Ash sighed.

The female Empathic smiled mischievously. Or I could just help myself and get Angie caught while still taking the diary for myself.

The male Empathic walked away and grumbled, "Just leave me out of it…"

Anabel stayed, weighing her options with great interest.

As Ash neared the sanctuary, a bittersweet thought ran through his mind.

Just like old times…

"You better spit it out, Bianca!"

"Or what, Dawn?"

The Coordinator sneered. "Or I'll! I'll!"

She felt a finger tap on her back.

Dawn looked over her shoulder, only to find another Bianca smiling and waving at her.

"What?"

The real Bianca pulled herself away from Dawn's grip and took a step back.

She smirked. "Two of us, one of you."

Latias agreed with an innocent nod.

"Wrong."

Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
Vacuum. Vacuum. Vacuum. Vacuum. Vacuum. Vacuum.

Dawn emptied her purse of its poké balls. "You try anything then it's suddenly seven of me, and only two of you."

…

Bianca frowned. She crossed her arms and looked away. "What's it matter to you, anyways?"

"It matters to me the same reason why it matters to you." The Coordinator took a step forward. "If this wasn't a big deal, you would've told me."

"Would I?"

"It has something to do about Ash, doesn't it?"

…

Dawn looked towards the fake Bianca. "It does, doesn't it, Latias?"

The illusion of Bianca gave a face of guilt and sadness. Refusing eye contact, Latias nodded.

Dawn faced the real one again. "Tracey said you saw me back in Sato's past. But I was there with you. I didn't see me at all. None of them looked like me… or even felt like me."

She looked down to her feet. "I don't have any connection to the memories we saw that day. And… it hurts me. Because I want to matter. To Ash. And I know you want to matter too, but at least you had that memory – that feeling – that connection with Ash. Isn't that enough to tell you that you two matter more to him than I do? If I didn't see me there, I must've been too minor a character in the past! Isn't that enough? Isn't that enough for you to rub it in my face?"

Her hands shook. Her cry held back. "I… just want to know. Who I was. If I helped at all…"

…

Latias turned, tears forming in her eyes.

"Latias?" Dawn watched as the pokémon ran off.

For a second, she thought she had seen Latias' human form change…

Bianca walked off, following her pokémon friend.

"Bianca! Just answer me!"

…

Her rival tilted her head. "Dawn…"

"…yes?"

"…what would you do if you found out… that the reason you couldn't remember… was because you shouldn't remember?"

"What… What do you mean?"

She continued walking.

"Wait! Bianca!"

"Drop it, Dawn!" the normally calm girl shouted as her body began to shake. She was sobbing. "Just… drop it! You win, okay? You always do."

The Coordinator paused. Unsure what to think or say to that response.

"What do you mean, Bianca?" was her only valid reaction.

…

"That's not my name…"

Bianca dashed into the woods, chasing after Latias.