Ash stretched, adjusting his cap down on his bedhead. He shrugged his backpack higher up on his shoulders as Dawn frantically brushed her hair, trying to appear presentable. The flight from Kanto to Unova had taken them from night to day, yet the date was the same as when they'd left. As such, sleeping on the plane was very disorienting. The two were refreshed from sleep, but the timezone change had taken them off guard.

"At least Sinnoh and Kanto aren't too far apart," Ash mumbled as he looked at a map posted outside of the airport.

Dawn nodded as she released Empoleon. They'd left the airport security gates, so it was fine for Dawn to have him out again. "Hey, buddy!"

"Empo!" he whined, immediately wrapping Dawn in an embrace.

Suddenly, the duo found themselves approached by strangers, particularly small children. Pikachu pressed himself against Ash's shoulder and cheek, ears flattened at the surrounding crowd.

"What kind of pokemon is that?!"

"Can I pet him?!"

"How big!"

"Where are you guys from!?"

Ash looked to Dawn, who was also rather surprised by the change of pace. They needed to get out of here; attention was bad.

"Hey, don't take pictures!" Ash insisted once he spotted a camera.

He grabbed Dawn's wrist and she grabbed Empoleon's claw. Ash quickly lead them down the street, ducking into a small store with many wares obscuring the front windows.

At the counter of the store was an older man, who only nodded and smiled upon seeing our heroes.

"Oh! A couple from Sinnoh. Normally, people from Hoenn take vacations to Unova, but please, enjoy yourselves. My store boasts the best maps and local goods. Allow yourself to live authentically as a Unovan for a while!" he said as Ash and Dawn caught their breath.

"Live authentically?" Ash echoed to Dawn.

She pursed her lips. "It's a tourist shop," she whispered.

Ash looked around. "Well… Coming in here was good, so wanna buy something to be nice?" Ash cocked his head. "Empoleon's sure using up their AC, anyway."

True enough, Empoleon was standing directly in front of the air conditioning vent in the store, a happy smile on his face.

Relenting, the coordinator sighed. "Alright… I'm gonna look for some maps. We'll need some quiet places to eat when we aren't in… Whose apartment is it, again?"

"Bertha!" Ash said with a wink. "Professor Oak sure did us a solid getting all of this arranged… Glad I could call in this favor, though."

Dawn crossed her arms. "It's the least she could do since she dragged you into a raid back in Celadon City."

"Are you still sore we just told you about that while we were at Mom's?" Ash asked.

On his shoulder, Pikachu shot Dawn a pleading glance. Was she really still mad she didn't find out about the other event until now?

Rolling her eyes, Dawn let it go. "I'm not mad… Just, well… We're partners, Ash. What I know, you know; what you know, I know. If I had known you'd done that, I would have backed out of that contest and…" Her voice trailed off.

Pikachu's ears drooped.

Ash put his hand on her shoulder. "It was gonna happen anyway. I can't let those people do that stuff. You can't either. That's why we're here. To relax. We need it."

She nodded. "You're right." With that, she walked towards the brochure aisle, perusing the selections.

Ashe grinned at Pikachu on his shoulder. "Hm… Speaking of relaxing." He took his cap off, looking down on it. He then passed it to Pikachu. "Could you put that in my bag, buddy? It's kinda… iconic. Something less obvious might work better while we're traveling."

"Pi, Pikapi!"

Ash walked over to the hats, picking up the various caps. Some were made of straw and others were made out of leather, perhaps. Finally, Ash spotted the one he knew he had to have. It was a visor with a logo of a very dated brand, probably popular back when he was a kid! He grinned, snatching it up. He looked over his shoulder. "Hey… You think Dawn'll need a hat? It's kinda hot now, and she's sorta pale… She might need to keep the sun off."

Pikachu nodded. "Pikaka Pi!" he agreed. Ash was right! Dawn might get a sunburn if they didn't watch out for her.

Ash flicked his eyes between the two wide brimmed sunhats. White or yellow… He snatched the white one up, remembering that her beanie had been the same color.

Walking over to Dawn, he grinned. "I'm ready!"

Dawn held up a small booklet as well as a few pamphlets. "I found a coupon book for a local amusement park! They've got special events on certain days and stuff! Plus, it's got local restaurants, too!" she cheered.

"... They sell coupons in books?! They sell coupons?!" Ash asked, confused.

"Don't worry about it," Dawn answered with a wave. "Let's just go check out. Empoleon! We're going!"

"Empo!"

As the steel type waddled over, our heroes approached the counter. Dawn got out her wallet to pay for their purchases, and Ash spotted something small and bright yellow behind the counter. A sticker boasting what he could only assume was a low price for such a ware drew his eye even more. Ash put his hand on the counter, interrupting Dawn's purchase. He pointed towards the instrument, eyes gleaming.

"I want it."

Dawn looked back before balking. "Can you even play a ukelele? When did you learn to play a ukelele?!"

"Good eye!" the shopkeeper cheered, putting the instrument on the counter. He grinned. "It's an oldie, from back when Caitlin joined the Elite Four here!"

"... Wait, wait, Caitlin, as in…?" Dawn inquired.

"The one from Sinnoh, the well-off lady? Yep!"

Ash let out a low whistle. "Guess everyone's making progress." The aspiring pokemon master winked at Dawn as he bought their items while she was trying to process the news still. "Let's book it, too, huh?"

"Right!" Dawn agreed. She opened the map as they began to exit the shop. "Now… Where was the apartment, again?"


The coordinator walked ahead of Ash, bouncing back and forth as she looked over the various posters outside of the theater.

"Oh my gosh, they've got a Zoroark performing here!" Dawn gushed, pulling on Ash's sleeve. "You remember that Zoroark and Zorua?" She grinned. "I wonder… is this what they meant by their homeland?! We'll have to find out if Zoroarks are native to Unova!"

Ash's heart swelled at the thought of seeing that mother and child duo again. "We did say we were gonna go see them one day… Maybe if we can find it, we'll look for them?" Ash suggested.

The girl nodded before grabbing Empoleon's flipper. "Either way, let's go see a play later, okay?" Ash might not be the musical type, but Dawn knew Empoleon could appreciate a good outfit.

Groaning, Ash let go of his girlfriend's hand and turned to Pikachu. "Why don't we see if there's something more exci- BOCCER!" Without hesitation, Ash took off, leaving Dawn and Empoleon behind.

Running down the mildly crowded sidewalk, Ash quickly approached the building. "I bet this is where the Nimbasa Legends played!" He paused. "... Oh, right, they weren't… They aren't a real team anymore."

"Pikapi," the mouse said quietly, patting Ash on the head.

Dawn finally caught up, Empoleon waddling up behind her. "Did you say soccer or boccer?"

Deciding not to explain his disappointment, Ash cheerfully responded. "It's a stadium! I bet Unova has a few boccer teams; I know Sinnoh had lots! Maybe we could catch a basketball or soccer game, even if not?"

Pressing her lips together, Dawn squinted her eyes. "Maybe."

"Maybe," Ash repeated. "Well, let's head to the apartment."

"Alright!"

After perhaps a ten minute walk, the two reached a building. After a short conversation with the lobby receptionist who recognized their names on a list the official resident had approved, they were given the spare key and allowed to go up.

Needless to say, the apartment was luxurious.

Dawn dropped her backpack off her shoulder, eyes drawn to the huge television. It was pitch black and thinner than Charizard's patience! Ash, meanwhile, walked over to the fridge and immediately grew disappointed when he saw it was empty except for a box of baking soda.

"Oh, wow, the master bedroom is super nice!" Dawn chirped as she entered it.

Empoleon had flopped onto the couch, as had Pikachu. The electric type was currently trying to figure out how to use the remote control.

"Oh, the bathroom is even nicer!" she cooed, drawing Ash's attention.

As he waltzed into the room, Dawn was practically purring on the bed, cuddling a pillow.

"Sorry, Ash, I call dibs!" she silkily said.

The trainer quirked his brows. "Well, where am I gonna sleep?"

"In the other bedroom, duh."

"Dawn."

"Hm?"

"There is no other bedroom."

The coordinator sat up, looking out of the master bedroom door. Sure enough, there was only the dining area beside the kitchen, then the living room outside of the bedroom. Her eyes bulged.

Ash flopped onto the bed, a cocky smile on his face. "So, what were you saying about dibs?"

"I-I don't wanna sleep on the floor again!" Dawn whined. "And, you don't really need to, now…!" She nervously pulled at her hair. "I don't think we can share a bed, either…"

Ash was normally quite oblivious, but when she spelled it out like that, even he understood what she meant after a moment. "... Oh! N-No! Dawn, we don't gotta… We'll just share the bed! Besides, the pokemon'll be right here!" He reached out, putting a hand over Dawn's for comfort. "No need to worry."

Dawn nodded, tightening her grip on Ash's hand. "Right."


Ash stuffed a fist in his pants pocket, looking up at the name of the diner that Dawn wanted to try. Ursaring Grill felt out of place, somehow, in the middle of the city, boasting a very backwoods aesthetic and general rustic aura.

"Smells like onions," he said bluntly.

Dawn quirked a brow. "You're not getting a kiss if you eat any."

The trainer tipped his visor, wiggling his brows. "Like you could resist."

Thinking it over, blushing, and deciding not to retort, Dawn ripped open the door to the diner and walked in. Empoleon giggled at Ash, knowing the trainer was in trouble, as he followed the coordinator in. Ash groaned before walking in as well.

"I guess we order at the counter," he supposed, spotting where the line was starting. He looked to his shoulder. "Whatcha want, buddy?"

The mouse, for his part, looked at the tables. "Cha~!" He spotted ketchup bottles - lots of them! Spicy ketchum, sweet ketchum, and even ketchup with fruits or vegetables in them. He looked to the menu, spotting a simple order of fries. "Chu! Chuchu!"

"You're gonna have some fries with your ketchup, huh?" Ash asked, not entirely joking. "Right! I'm gonna have… Oh, boy, a chili dog! And… What the heck is a corn chip pie?" He tilted his head. "It's got chili, cheese, and corn chips…" He shrugged. "Nachos, kinda?"

Dawn quirked a brow. "Doesn't really sound like nachos…" She looked to Empoleon. "Oh, hey, there's cod! Like… those things at Misty's gym, right? Want some, big guy?"

"Empoooo!" the water type trumpeted, thrilled at the idea of having more fish.

"Alright. Fish and chips for Empoleon and... What're Bouffalant? Bouffalant wings?"

The girl at the counter, who had been witness to Ash and Dawn's deliberation raised a brow. "It's a pokemon, ma'am. You know, big normal types?"

"You guys eat pokemon?!"

The clerk groaned. "No. It's just called that."

"Oh! Alright, then."

"Would you guys like any sides with this?" the girl asked.

"Sweet corn and buttermilk biscuits!" Ash quickly interjected, seeing where another waiter had brought out.

"Right," the girl said flatly.

She took the pair's payment and gave them a number.

Once they sat down, it was a short wait until their meal. Once it was at the table, the crew made short work of it…

And, immediately regretted it.

Waddling out of Ursaring Grill, Ash felt his stomach gurgle.

"Ugh, I feel like I ate a whole stick of butter…"

Dawn whined in turn. "You're telling me…! I don't mind eating big, but I don't want it to be all fat…"

"We gotta sit," Ash grunted. "I feel like I'm gonna pass out."

And, so, they did. Ash and Dawn lazily lounged on a bench in a small green grove out of the way of the sidewalk lining the city street. Pikachu laid out on his side on the bench as well, round stomach protruding out. Empoleon, similarly gorged, laid on the sidewalk at Ash and Dawn's feet.

After a moment, though, a curious gray pokemon landed atop Empoleon's crest. It cooed at the foursome.

Dawn lazily flipped out her Pokedex… But, nothing registered.

"Oh, right," Ash grunted. "We should probably update them. Soon. Maybe at a Pokemon Center?"

"Yeah, soon," Dawn agreed, quietly.

As they lazed on the bench, more pokemon came by. Many more of the little gray flying ones visited. A pokemon a bit similar to Growlithe but browner came by, along with another that looked like it but larger. A pokemon that looked like a cross between a Luxray and a Bidoof crossed by, as well.

Eventually, the swelling of our heroes' bellies went down enough that they could go home. They did, and immediately went to sleep.


Slivers of sunlight crawled through closed blinds, laying several bright streaks across the one bed in the apartment. The sheets were untidy, propped up by lumps that spanned the length of the bed. The culprits laid against an assortment of pillows, nestled together with their arms wrapped around one another. Ash and his messy bed head were nestled into Dawn's blue locks, where he slept soundly… Pardoning the occasional snore that made Dawn stir, that was.

Pikachu rested in a curled up ball atop the pile of pillows, hanging over Ash's head. Buneary had, naturally, opted to lay against him, a paw and a fluffy ear strewn over his yellow fur.

Empoleon was left with the option of laying across the couch, a wing resting over his belly that slowly rose and fell with each breath he took, and the occasional defiant squawk that, no doubt, was a product of a dream.

Rosa was curled up in the lounge chair atop a blanket, lain to provide a smoother surface for the Lucario to rest upon. She hugged a show pillow from the couch, sleeping soundly.

One lamp bathed the room in a faint golden glow; Ash and Pikachu had both appealed to have some light in the room.

Ash was the first to rouse, blinking the sleep out of his eyes before letting out a rather loud yawn. Cuddling was nice and kept him warm, but he quickly realized that it was making him stir-crazy. He carefully shimmied out of Dawn's embrace, quietly squirming free before sliding off the edge of the bed. He gratefully took the opportunity to stretch his arms and legs.

Everyone else was still sound asleep, by the looks of it… It was unlike Ash to be so quiet, but he didn't have it in him to disturb the precious scene. His eyes lingered on Dawn, even if she'd probably complain about being seen with that bedhead later.

With her and their loveable team in mind, the teen tip-toed over to the kitchen table, where a folded up map of Nimbasa sat. Ash picked up the pamphlet, unfolding it to look over the flashy, lively city. There was the musical, the stadiums, a Gym… Maybe that was worth checking out…

...And an amusement park! Now, that explained the ferris wheel. Ash's heart was beginning to race, already!

A yawn of a higher pitch brought him out of his thoughts, then, turning his attention to Dawn, who was just now stretching her arms over her head.

The coordinator rubbed her eyes, feeling groggy. "Nnn.. Ash?" She looked up through half-lidded hues. "What time is it?"

Ash peered over to the digital clock on the stove. "It's barely past four. We didn't sleep that long."

Which led the trainer to rush over as quietly as possible, holding the unfolded map in front of Dawn's face. "So, y'wanna hit the amusement park? If we're on vacation, we might as well act like it!"

Dawn flinched at the map being shoved in her face. They'd just woken up and Ash was acting like he'd eaten a barrel full of sugar. "Yeah, I'm behind that… Hold on."

A lazed trudge carried Dawn to the restroom, topped off by a shriek.

Though he expected it, Ash winced.

"My hair…! Oh, it's a wreck!" Dawn whined, frantically attempting to pat down her bedhead. To her horror, another fact dawned on her. "Agh, you must've seen, too…!" How was she supposed to nap, with her boyfriend no less, if she'd be seen before she had time to get ready for the day!?

Ash's laughter could be heard from the other room. Dawn's eye twitched. "This isn't a comedy routine! Unless you plan on buying tickets, keep your eyes and your smart mouth to yourself!"

It was quickly becoming evident that they were giving their pokemon a rude awakening, when grumbles and tired, chattered complaints could be heard. Ash exhaled, leaning back onto the end of the bed. "That's not what I'm laughin' about. When ya get like that, it just feels… Normal, y'know? Like nothing bad happened at all." In a weird way, it made him feel at home.

"Not gonna lie, it's kinda cute when you do, too."

Dawn pursed her lips, her temper beginning to cool. Another glance at the mirror brought her sour expression back to life. "Thanks, but I sure don't feel cute, right now."

"You look cute to me," Ash argued with a shrug. "You trust your main man, don't you?"

"Pol!"

Ash laughed again. "Your other main man. Sorry, Empoleon."

Ash's persistence dusted a light shade of pink across Dawn's pale cheeks. She played off her blush with stylish bravado, waltzing over towards her older companion with wide, dramatic steps. She draped an arm over the sitting teen's shoulder. "Since when were you such a smooth talker?" She winked, before turning her eyes up towards the ceiling. "...But, you've got a point. If this is our biggest problem, we've got it pretty good, huh?"

"Mhm," Ash gleefully agreed, thrilled she shared his feelings on the matter. He also took the opportunity to wrap a sturdy arm around her waist. "I've had a little practice!"

A cough and a "Pika" interrupted the two making googly-eyes at one another. Both looked about to take in the sight of their team in their resting spots, going to painful lengths to avoid eye contact with their trainers.

Rosa, in particular, was burying her face in between her paws. ~G-gross…~

Ash and Dawn shared similar shades of red when it became painfully evident that they'd put on a scene.

"Ahahah… Sorry," Ash coughed. "I guess we should split now, huh? Before the lines get long!" He let go of Dawn, already scrambling to slip on his shoes.

"As soon as I fix myself up," Dawn added.

Hopping on one foot as he attempted to slide a sneaker onto the opposite, Ash cocked a brow. "I thought we just talked about the hair thing."

"I can handle you seeing me like this," Dawn rebutted, grabbing her hair-care products from her bag. "But, for a whole new region? Uh-uhn. Unova's going to see me at my best!"

Finally managing to secure the footwear, Ash laughed. "Works for me. You guys ready to go?"

"Pika!" Pikachu agreed. A little fun out in the sun sounded ideal, right about now! If he continued to lie around like this, he'd quickly become lazy.

"Bun-Bun!" Buneary agreed.

"Empol!"

~I-I wanna go!~

"Then, it's settled! As soon as Dawn gets outta there! ...If she ever gets out."

A defiant tongue was stuck out at Ash before the door to the restroom slammed shut. Her muffled voice shouted over the running water. "You can't rush perfection!"


A large, colorful Ferris wheel towered over Nimbasa's skyline, and over Ash and Dawn's heads.

"That's gotta be the biggest Ferris wheel I've ever seen," Ash remarked, wide eyes fixated on the turning carts that looked miniscule from the ground. "I kinda wanna see the view at the top."

"That sounds great," Dawn interrupted, "but look at the line! It'd take an hour to get on that thing." Dawn gestured to the crowd in front of them, lined up in a barricade that forced passersby to slip through if they wanted to move past the spinning attraction.

"Man, you're right," Ash agreed, deflated. "Bummer… Hey, there's that thing!" He pointed in another direction. "The, uh…. What's it called?"

"A carousel!" Dawn chimed. "What do you guys think?"

"Pika!" Pikachu agreed. It seemed slow and charming enough to keep him at ease.

"Empol!"

"Alright! Let's go then!" Ash cheered before leading their merry band over to the ride.

After a surprisingly short wait in a line filled mostly with young children with their parents, the occasional couples, and several children about right for the age to be beginning their journeys, our heroes made their way onto the massive ride. Decorative statues of various pokemon known the world over for their prowess as beasts of burden stood in an array of poses; some were mid-stride of a gallop and others had a leisurely walking stance.

Pikachu spotted a Rapidash and found an odd solace in it. He found the slick, smooth surface of it too difficult for him to get a hold of and instead sat on the bench behind it. Likewise, Empoleon could tell by one look that he wouldn't fit on top. Perhaps a bit jealous of the small children still able to enjoy the ride, he took a seat beside Pikachu on the bench that might have passed for a sleigh if it were properly equipped.

"Well, guess we know where we're ridin'," Ash joked. "I want this guy!" He hopped upon the back of the white and black pokemon. It looked a bit similar to Rapidash, but sported a golden saddle with a similarly colored bridle. "I dunno what it is, but it looks 'bout snazzy! Maybe it's an electric type? It's sure got some thunderbolt lookin' horns on its head."

"Maybe," Dawn supposed, sitting on the back of the Rapidash beside Ash, careful to keep both of her legs on one side. She missed her shorts and her skirt even more. She could straddle things if she was wearing those.

But, soon, the ride started and the group found that they enjoyed it. The ride wasn't exciting, but it was certainly relaxing.

After that, they browsed the park.

For a while, Dawn and Ash relaxed in the nearby shade of a small grove surrounding a splash zone. Empoleon played with the young children who shrieked and giggled at the sight of such a huge and friendly foreign pokemon.

After that, they went to the carnival booths. There, Dawn won herself a very pretty but plastic toy crown from a weight guessing game. The poor attendant had no chance! Dawn's waist was very tiny, but her legs were strong as heavy as a traveling trainer's ought to be; there was no way he could have guessed she was so much heavier than she really looked, not with her skirt so long now! The crown was given to Ash to give to Rosa later. Though she was far too timid with crowds to enjoy the park properly, Dawn knew she liked to get dolled up from the way she mooned over contests.

The next winning game was with Ash and Empoleon. The two competed as a team while Dawn and Pikachu watched. With Ash's excellent coaching and Empoleon's proud eagerness to win driving them, the duo absolutely bested their competition at a water based shooting game. The prize was a coupon for a handsomely discounted meal at a novelty restaurant at the park. The only shame was that Dawn knew all about The Princess and the Croagunk while Ash hadn't the faintest clue as to what it was. She said it was a Kalosian fairytale, but that didn't mean very much to him. As long as they weren't serving Croagunks at the restaurant with the movie's theme, that was alright by him.

Finally, the shortest line awaited them. It was for a massive roller coaster, swift as the wind and high as the rolling hills south of Nimbasa.

"Oh, boy, that looks fun!" Dawn gasped. "Empoleon, do you wanna ride? Ash, Pikachu?"

"Empo!" the water type chirped, clapping his fins together. He could prove how brave he was if he didn't scream and Dawn did!

"I'd like to, yeah," Ash said, as he looked down at Pikachu. "... You could sit in my lap, buddy. It's three to a row."

The mouse, however, was keenly watching the people already on the ride. Their screams echoed in his mind, melting and muffling until he couldn't recall if they belonged to humans or if they were the distant rattling of pained pokemon he'd witnessed down in the battling pits when he was captured.

When he didn't get an answer, Ash's shoulders sagged. "We're gonna sit this one out."

"You don't have to."

Ash flinched, jerking around with Pikachu held tightly to his chest. He shuffled back from the voice that had come from behind him, turning on his heels.

No thug or criminal confronted his line of sight. Rather, a young man about a foot taller than him. The man had a gentle smile and his blue eyes were trained onto Pikachu. He smiled, cheeks slightly obscured by a messily held back ponytail of soft green hair.

"I could watch your Pikachu for you," he clarified. "It seems scared." No mind paid to Ash's paranoia, the man held out a hand, many bracelets jangling on it. "It's okay, my friend. You don't have to ride or be alone. I'll stay here with you if you want to stay."

Surprisingly, Pikachu leaned out towards the man, putting his paw out to touch the stranger's. "Pi…"

Still tending to his pounding heart, Ash blinked. "Uh, you really wanna go with him?"

Empoleon raised a flipper.

Dawn raised a brow. "Do you wanna go with that guy, too? Over going on the ride?"

Empoleon lowered his flipper.

"Pikapi Pi!"

"Well, if you're sure… Thanks, guy!" Ash passed Pikachu to the mysterious man.

With that, the three boarded the roller coaster, and Pikachu settled in the stranger's arms. His relative comfort surprised him. Being held by a stranger should have his fur standing up on the back of his neck. But a strange aura of kindness practically radiated from the man, as the latter carried Pikachu towards a bench, where he sat.

"Is this comfortable?" The man checked, allowing Pikachu to sit atop his tan shorts.

"Chu," the mouse chirped. He sat, preferring to direct his eyes away from the attraction.

"Roller coasters… They're a remarkable collection of formulas. Slopes, angles, and the mechanics that allow the cars to scale them. A beautiful work of ingenuity. If only man would devote its attention towards that type of art."

Pikachu quirked a brow. The man was rambling about… Something to do with formulas, at a mile a minute. He was having a hard time keeping up.

"But those heights and angles are overwhelming for you, aren't they? As a pokemon, you weren't born to scale and indulge in these attractions, were you? It's really not your fault."

"Pika!" Pikachu interrupted, shaking his head. "Pika-ka. Pikachu." It wasn't that he disliked rides and thrills. At least, not usually. "Chu, chu!" He'd just had a particularly awful time, lately. He wasn't up to it.

He was growing a bit unnerved again, when he noticed that the stranger's sky blue eyes were staring directly into his, with laser-like focus. The eyes squinted, then grew wide.

"Then, you've suffered. Quite a bit, if you'd avoid something you enjoy."

"Pika!?" Pikachu backed up, gawking at his company. He could understand him!?

First Ash, and now this?

"You don't need to be alarmed. Ever since I was young, I've heard the voices of pokemon. In a way no other human could, I understand them."

"Pika…." That was something Pikachu had never seen. If he was telling the truth, it was amazing!

A scowl formed, then. "Other humans… Like that boy you were with. He must be your trainer?" Did he hurt you?" He paused, just long enough for Pikachu's face to twist in offense, but short enough to cut the mouse off. "But, he seemed concerned about your happiness, enough to avoid something he wanted to accompany you. That's exceptional."

"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu finally shrieked, standing up in the other's lap. He couldn't have been more wrong! Ash wasn't just his trainer, but his very best friend! They saw each other through everything, and what upset him was the last thing he wanted.

The volume of Pikachu's shout startled the young man. "The love you have for your trainer; it's unusual. Too unusual, I'm afraid. Will it see you through your suffering? Will you be alright?"

Pikachu winced, going to lengths to avoid eye contact. An uneasy frown spanned from cheek to rosey cheek, and a paw rubbed the back of his head; a sure sign of his trainer's mannerisms. "Pika… Pikachu." Surely, they would… They always overcame their obstacles. "Pika-Pika!" But, he's never been so terrified before! This was a new type of challenge. He'd need time.

"I understand. This world can be a remarkably cruel place, especially for you and your peers." A pale hand reached forward with caution, halting when Pikachu flinched.

Recoiling from the stranger… No, acquaintance, Pikachu exhaled. His tiny heart was beating far faster than was warranted. This guy wasn't Jessie, or James. He wasn't from Team Rocket. He seemed like quite the opposite. Like Ash, if not a bit stranger. Just a bit.

He slowly leaned in, nuzzling into the hand.

"You're a brave one. Your trainer must care for you well. Keep your chin up, and you'll find a place in our world."

"Pika… Pikachu!" The yellow mouse perked up, his lopsided ears bouncing with just a hint of optimism. Maybe this guy was right! If he kept working with Ash, anything was possible!

Judging by the speed of his breaths though, it might take a while.

"Woo-hoo! I think I'm gonna hurl…"

"You better not! I made you that shirt, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine," Ash brushed off, stumbling away from the roller coaster. Still rather dizzy, he approached Pikachu, and the stranger who'd kept him company. Ash felt a wave of relief when, indeed, the man had been honest in his intentions.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu sprung into his trainer's arms with glowing eyes, hugging tightly to his chest.

"Hey, Pikachuuu-ah!" His loose footing was toppled by the mighty mouse, knocking Ash down on his backside. "Owww… You gotta watch your strength, Pikachu. You're gonna get one of us hurt."

"Pika-Pika." Pikachu nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. It wouldn't have happened if Ash wasn't dizzy!

The mouse's attitude earned a very dramatic pout from Ash, squinted eyes staring him down.

The two promptly burst out laughing.

Dawn rested her hands on her hips. She wanted to be embarrassed, but the scene brought her relief. "Even on vacation, you guys can't chill out, can you?"

Ash sat up, grinning at his girlfriend. "Nope!"

"Pika-chu."

A pleasant smile picked up in the corner of the young man's mouth. A subtle sensation that he didn't feel all too often. "I'm convinced your Pikachu is in good hands. I had a delightful time speaking with him."

"Speaking with him…?" Ash tilted his head. "...Oh, thanks! I owe you one for hanging around with Pikachu." He stood with Pikachu in hand. "It was nice to meet you… Uh, wait. I didn't get your name, did I?"

"My name is N," he introduced.

"N… Well, like I said, nice to meet you, N! I'm Ash, and you've met Pikachu."

"And, I'm Dawn!" The bluenette added. "And this is Empoleon!"

"Pol! Empol!"

"It's nice to meet you all." N looked between the group, his attention quickly shifting to the two pokemon present. "Pikachu and Empoleon, you seem to have remarkably kind trainers. A shame that's so rare…"

Ash and Dawn blinked, as did their pokemon.

"But, I should be going. Pikachu, thank you for keeping me company. I hope we meet again." With that, the green-haired youth turned on his heels, swiftly shuffling off.

"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu promptly waved.

"Uh, yeah! I hope so too!" Ash added, saluting N. "See ya!"

"That was a little strange," Dawn quirked a brow. "But, at least Pikachu's happy. Right?"

"Pika-chu!"

The friendly encounter left Ash smiling from cheek to cheek. A belly-laugh only barely slipped through his lips. "Unova doesn't seem so bad… Hey, what do you say we catch dinner at that 'Princess and the Croagunk' place?"

"Already? I thought you said you were gonna hurl." Dawn squinted.

"That was then, and this is now! That ride worked up an appetite!"

"Pi-Pika!" He could go for something to eat, too!

"I guess I can't argue with that… Alright, let's get to it!" A finger of Dawn's was pointed forward dramatically, a hand on her hip.

"Hey, that's my pose!"

"Yeah, but as your girlfriend, I get special privileges." Dawn proudly flipped her bangs.

"You do, huh… Well, they won't help you get you there first!" With that, Ash took off.

"Ash…! You've got some nerve! I can't run in a dress, you know!" Dawn gripped the frills of the sun dress, shuffling ahead as fast as she could manage. She'd better catch up quick!