Chapter 15: Training in Route 203 and catching Pokemon

"Have you two known one another since you were small?" May asked looking at Kenny with a smile. "I've known Ash for a long time - our parents are best friends with one another. Have you got favourite memories?"

"I have plenty of things to tell you about Di-Di!" Kenny boasted smiling to his childhood friend who seemed to be distant and not listening in the conversation.

"Really? Wow I imagine you've been through a lot together then - the three of us grew up together as May had said" Ash told Kenny. "We've got fun memories what are yours?"

"Where do I begin? Oh, I know - the funny ones at least I found them funny - like how Di-Di's nickname came about!" Kenny said, though much to his surprise, Dawn wasn't listening she seemed to be in deep thoughts.

"I've always wondered why you call her that - my dad calls my mum Dee as her nickname" Ash commented. "How did you come up with that?"

Kenny told them: Ash, May, Max and Brock burst into fits of laughter with Kenny after he told them - however, May had noticed Dawn looked sad and she thought it was about the stories Kenny was talking about and stopped laughing.

'Piplup... I'm sorry - I'll find you somehow...' Dawn thought of her missing Pokemon - a single tear rolled down her cheeks as she thought of her starter Pokemon. She held her hands close to her chest and wondered how Piplup was - she imagined him being locked up in a cage, alone and crying - which made her more upset.

"Dawn, are you okay?" May asked, noticing her crying thinking it was Kenny making her that way.

Dawn wiped her tears away and gave May a weak smile - she wondered how she could tell May she was worried about Piplup with Kenny around. "I will be..." Dawn simply replied. "No need to worry, May" she added weakly giving her friend thumbs up.

Kenny was telling the boys another story of his childhood memories and the way he used to embarrass or tease Dawn - making Ash, Max and Brock laugh though May wasn't laughing this time she was more concerned for Dawn thinking it was in relation to what Kenny was saying.

"Kenny - if you're going to be doing this throughout the way to Jubilife City I think you should travel on your own - Dawn's upset by it" May said, standing up for her friend at once Ash, Brock and Max stopped laughing and felt guilty.

"Sorry, Di-Di. I didn't realize I was upsetting you, I thought you thought this was fun. We used to make fun of it all the time remember?" Kenny apologized to her.

"It's Dawn and... I'm not upset about that it's something else I have on mind that I can't tell you - I need to talk to someone else about it but he's not here at the moment" Dawn said.

"It's Paul that you're upset with, right? Don't worry about him - he's a loser!" Kenny replied - trying to figure out what Dawn's problem was.

Dawn simply shook her head. "It's something else - between the six of us and we can't tell anyone - Paul's the only one who knows about it aside from us and I know he won't tell."

"Pik-a-chu, Chu? (I think she misses Piplup!)" Pikachu said to Ash who at once figured out afterwards on what Dawn was talking about.

Kenny scratched his head in confusion. "What can't you tell me? Is it something serious? Di-Di we've been friends for years and I think it stinks you rather trust a bully with this secret then me" he said.

"It doesn't help when you blabbed that I had a crush on Ash in front of my mum when I told you not to" Dawn snapped.

Ash looked at Dawn awkwardly and looked at May - he loves May (and hasn't had the chance to tell her yet) but not Dawn. Ash saw Dawn as his best friend and May as his future lover.

"I wanted to help!" Kenny replied.

"It's a bit awkward Kenny, because I love someone else" Ash told him - rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"What? Aw that's a bummer. But yeah - before she started the journey - Dawn told me she loved you and hoped to confess to you someday" Kenny said, that alone humiliated Dawn who ended up running ahead of her friends. Ash noticed that Dawn ran off ahead of them and was concerned for her.

"Kenny - I think you should stop while you're ahead, look at Dawn. Do you think she likes it?" Ash asked.

Kenny looked at his friend and sighed. "Truth is - I have a crush on her too."

"I think you need to apologize to her, Kenny. She's got a lot on her mind at the moment and this situation we're in doesn't exactly help - we can't tell anyone about it and like she said Paul is the only one aside from us who knows" Ash said. "If you really do love her - you wouldn't say this stuff about her. Dawn's a really good person and has a caring personality" he added. That alone made Kenny feel guilty.

May nodded in agreement with Ash, as did Brock and Max. Awkward silence filled the atmosphere while Kenny walked with them - it wasn't until a while after he noticed Dawn running off ahead of them.

'It's true - I miss Piplup very much and I wish I never had handed him over to Team Shadow. It wasn't Kenny who upset me though, it's the fact that I really miss Piplup and feel helpless not knowing where he is and if he's safe' Dawn thought. She then heard a familiar voice and snapped out of her thoughts.

"Tch - you're pathetic and your Pokemon are weak just like you" Paul said to a trainer who at once started crying - he had recently battled the trainer and won.

"That's really mean, I told you - I just got these Pokemon!" the young trainer said as he cried.

"You're still weak" Paul cruelly said to him.

"Paul!" Dawn called out to him - making him flinch. She had noticed he had made the young child cry and planned to scold him for that.

"What is it now, Troublesome?" Paul said folding his arms, he looked at her.

"What happened?" Dawn asked noticing the young trainer who told Dawn.

"Paul - that's not a way to treat people. You and I need to talk" Dawn said as she took hold of Paul's wrist firmly, Paul looked at her in annoyance.

"Is he your boyfriend?" the trainer asked.

"She's a very annoying girl so no!" Paul hastily replied as he followed Dawn who dragged him a bit further away from the trainer.

Kenny had only just noticed Dawn drag Paul away before he could even catch up with her. He noticed the same trainer crying as Ash, May, Max and Brock came running up to Kenny.

"What happened? Did you hurt yourself?" May asked in concern as she looked at the trainer - inspecting him for injuries.

"No - I lost to a battle and the big kid with purple hair called me weak when I only just got the Pokemon and I told him that too" the trainer replied. "To make things worse - I don't have a Revive of Full Restore! I didn't have enough money to buy them."

"That sounds like Paul... I'm sorry he said that to you. Let me have a look at your Pokemon and I'll heal them for you" May offered as she kneeled down to him to the right height. He was about ten years old. "Did you recently start your journey?"

"Yes - I started a few days ago. I'm from Oreburgh City - my Daddy gave me a Starly and a Machop for starter Pokemon and I came out here for training before I challenge the gym leader" the trainer explained. "Wow - really? You'd do that for me? Thank you - wait you're Princess of May of Heonn aren't you?!" The trainer smiled in delight.

May nodded. "Ash, Brock, Kenny and Dawn are my friends and Max is my brother - what's your name?" she asked. "It's nice to meet you!"

"I'm Cameron. I want to become a member of the Elite Four. It's nice to meet you all - is Dawn the blue haired girl who took the bully away?" Cameron introduced himself. He then released his two Pokemon who looked very weak from battle - May used Revive and Full Restore on them which made them feel better.

"If you give them a day's rest they'll be as good as new!" May promised him. "Yes - she took him away" she added though wondered what Dawn was going to talk to him about.

"We're faraway from everyone now - Troublesome what do you want to talk about?" Paul asked feeling annoyed with her. It's true though she took him away from the other trainers to ensure was only the two of them. "It must be important for you to drag me out here."

"A lot of things actually, Paul. I have no idea where to begin" Dawn said as she let go of his wrist. Paul folded his arms and scowled at her.

"Hurry up with it then - I don't have all day - I need to train my Pokemon!" Paul told her. "If it's about the kid, well then duh he is weak!"

Dawn took a deep breath and let it out as she looked at his eyes. "Paul - what you said to the boy - that was uncalled for and mean. You should say something like 'You did well and keep training your Pokemon to him!'" she started to say. "I also miss Piplup - I can't tell Kenny about this situation even though I've known him for my life - he's not very good at keeping secrets. I know I can't use Aerodactyl in this area too - as it's too risky."

"Well - the kid was weak... Do you think I should say 'You did well and I'm better than you?' Paul did the quotation marks with his fingers when he said, 'You did well and I'm better than you?'. Dawn smacked her head.

'I have to Paul's effort though!' Dawn thought. "Kinda except the 'I'm better than you' it's immature. A trainer should be nicer to other people if you want to get somewhere in life..." she added. "And what should I do with Aerodactyl? I can't keep them in my Premier Ball all the times... It'd be unfair."

"You sound like my mother" Paul replied. "As to Aerodactyl - it's risky in this area especially with lots of trainers - try find a quieter spot."

"What is she like?" Dawn asked.

"Really nice - and kind" Paul told her. "Though she'd be always telling me to be polite and to be patient. I'm close to her and scolds me for being rude to others!"

Dawn smiled at the sound of his mother and blushed slightly when he compared her to him. "She is right though - I'd love to meet her someday - but why are you rude to people though? It's not necessary?!"

"Because - stupid people annoy me and I have no time to waste on them" Paul simply replied. "Not my fault people are weak!" he referred to the trainer he had beat.

"As for the problem earlier - I'll keep my eye out on them" Paul meant Piplup of course and Team Shadow. Dawn caught on and smiled. "As to telling your childhood friend that's a bad idea - since you said he can't keep a secret. If word gets out - Team Shadow would be on the move making it difficult to find the missing Pokemon" he warned her.

"I'd better get going as your friends are coming" Paul noticed Kenny nearing them.

"Why not join us since we're going the same direction?" Dawn offered which made Paul stare at her.

"No..."

"Why?"

"Because I said no!"

"Are you sure?"

"Positive - I don't need friends!"

"You could see us as company?"

"No..."

"Please?" Dawn gave him the Baby Doll Eyes look.

"Pathetic!" Paul sighed.

"Does that mean you'll join?" Dawn asked hopefully.

"No! It means you're pathetic"

"Why?"

"I rather be on my own and I don't like the loser with the Pikachu"

"Why don't you like him?"

"It's none of your business."

"It's not good to keep things bottled up you know"

"You're getting annoying!"

"You're so stubborn!"

"How many badges have you got?"

"None of your business!"

"I take it you have one?"

"I'm leaving. I have things I need to do. Your boyfriend is watching" Paul said firmly. He glanced at Kenny who flinched.

"He's not my boyfriend!" Dawn corrected him - referring to Kenny who had been watching the two argue - he didn't hear them talk about Piplup. With that, Paul left without another word - Dawn hoped he could take her advice though. She wanted to change him and reach out to him. She was tempted to ask Paul if she could travel with him until they reach Jubilife City but decided not to at least for now.

"Di-Di?" Kenny said sadly as he looked at him after Paul had left.

"Kenny? Did you listen to all of it?" Dawn asked in concern.

"No. I wanted to apologize about earlier" Kenny said.

"Heh - no need to worry - Kenny. I wasn't upset with you - I just had other things on my mind and needed to talk to Paul about it. I'm going to make some Poffins for my Pokemon and start training them for the contests" Dawn told him.

"The others thought you were upset with me. They're still comforting the boy that Paul upset. Paul's a jerk" Kenny said, folding his arms.

"How is the boy? I scolded Paul for that" Dawn told Kenny. "Told him he should be nicer towards others at least try to be!"

"What did he say?" Kenny said in amusement.

"He said I remind him of his mother because she said the same things to him!" Dawn said with a laugh.

"I'm surprised he didn't bite. Would you like help with the Poffins? I've made some for my Pokemon before I left" Kenny said.

"No - I can make the Poffins on my own. I promised Starly and Shinx I'd give them a treat after the contest" Dawn told him. She then made her way back to Ash, May, Max, Brock and Cameron.

"Did you send the bully away?" Cameron asked noticing that Dawn back.

"Not really - I told him to be nicer to others though" Dawn said. "May - could you teach me to make Pokeblocks and in return I'll help you learn Poffins?"

"Sure - I can do that, Dawn. Pokeblocks are really fun to make - I wonder if your Pokemon will like the ones I have now. Skitty and Munchlax love theirs" May smiled to Dawn.

The two girls left Ash, Brock, Kenny and Cameron to make the Pokeblocks and Poffins.

"I thought May had a Blaziken? At least I remember seeing one on the TV" Kenny said - remembering her Wallace Cup battle.

"She left him at home" Max lied.

"Really? That's a shame - she would've easily aced the contests" Kenny told him smiling as he remembered her battles. "The one with you and May was a sight to remember, Ash. Are you going to enter some Double Contests?" he asked.

"Yes, for sure! The Double Contests will be fun. What about you - Kenny? Who will your contest partner be in them?" Ash asked.

"I'm hoping Dawn will be - I'll ask her when I get the chance" Kenny said.

"This isn't going to help us find them!" Butch complained after realizing where they were in Sinnoh. "That's far from our goal."

"Where would they be then?" Cassidy asked.

"I'd say Oreburgh City" Butch said as he looked at a Sinnoh Map in the Pokemon Center on the Fight Area.

"How are we going to get there then, Bob?" Cassidy asked in annoyance.

"IT's BUTCH! Do I have to wear a name tag? I dunno steal a Pokemon who knows Fly?" Butch snapped.

"Maybe we could steal a boat instead..." Cassidy suggested.

"Flying would be quicker..." Butch began.

"Going by boat would be better!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"Flying!"

"Boat!"

"FLYING!"

"BOAT! Are you dumb? Flying won't carry all the stuff we need whereas going by boat we'd be able to have all the stuff we want!"

"FLYING WOULD CARRY THE STUFF WE NEED!" Butch snapped back.

"ENOUGH" A voice interrupted the disguised Team Rocket Duo. Cassidy and Butch noticed Nurse Joy looking at them in anger.

"This is a Pokemon Center not an Argue All You Want Center. There are children and young trainers here - you two are supposed to be grownups. We do not tolerate arguing here. If you must do it - do it outside" Nurse Joy scolded the two - making them both red from embarrassment.

"Pokeblocks sound so yum - I wonder what my Pokemon will think of them, May" Dawn asked as she and May spent the time setting up a place to make the Pokeblocks and Puffins. The girls spent time making Pokeblocks and Puffins, putting them away after they finished.

"I think they'll love them. Each Pokemon have different tastes - we need to find out what tastes your Pokemon like - they could try this one but for the other Pokemon we'd have to give them one at night..." May said.

"Yes - I don't want them to miss out. I wonder if Paul's Pokemon gets a treat" Dawn wondered.

"Sadly - they probably don't. I wouldn't worry too much about him, Dawn" May said smiling as she took out her Pokeblocks. "Here - let's see if Starly and Shinx like these ones - if they do - I'll ensure to write down the recipe for you to make them" she gave Dawn a couple of Pokeblocks that she had made a few days ago.

"Starly and Shinx - Spotlight!" Dawn called out her two Pokemon - Starly at once flew to Dawn's shoulder whereas Shinx stood in front of her. "Hey you two! I want to give you a treat and to groom you - the other one will be able to have theirs tonight" Dawn said to them meaning Aerodactyl of course.

"May made these - you have her to thank if you enjoy them" Dawn said as she gave one to Starly who at once enjoyed hers and the other to Shinx, who too enjoyed hers. Both Pokemon looked at her in delight.

"That's great news - May! They love it. Thank you. I'm going to brush Shinx's fur and Starly too before we start training for the contests" Dawn said smiling to her friend then her Pokemon. Dawn took her bag off and unzipped it - she got out a brush and zipped her bag up. She then began gently brushing Shinx's fur, Shinx really enjoyed it and purred.

"Aww - that's cute, Dawn. I think I'll do the same with Skitty and Munchlax - Skitty and Munchlax - Take the Stage!" May called out her two Pokemon. Skitty at once landed on the ground neatly then started chasing after her tail whereas Munchlax let out a yawn as she sat down near May.

"Skitty is just so cute, May!" Dawn gushed watching as Skitty ran around in circles for a bit.

"I know - she can't keep still at times. Here Skitty and Munchlax" May gave her two Pokemon a Pokeblock each. Both of her Pokemon enjoyed the Pokeblocks. The girls then spent the time brushing their Pokemon and after practicing for the upcoming contests.

Ash, Brock, Max and Kenny spent their time training their Pokemon after bidding goodbye to Cameron who went to do his own things.

After practicing their contest battles - May and Dawn recalled their Pokemon.

"I think we should start looking for more Pokemon to fill out our Pokedex, May" Dawn said, remembering that Professor Rowan said they'd get something for it. "I'm keen to fill mine in. Now let's see - what Pokemon are in this area?" she took out her Pokedex and looked up the route.

"I'd ask Max, but he's battling Kenny" May said noticing her brother was in the middle of a battle.

"No need to worry, May. The Pokedex says that the following Pokemon live in Route 203: Starly, Abra, Shinx, Bidoof, Kricketot, Zubat, Kirlia, Cubone, Psyduck, Golduck, Magikarp, Gyrados, Goldeen and Seeking. Some of the Pokemon are hard to find though" Dawn told May after looking up the Pokemon in their area.

"Bidoof is rather cute" May commented as she looked Bidoof up in the Pokedex. "They'd go well in the contests. I already have a Shinx - sadly can't use her. What ones will you catch, Dawn?" she asked.

"I want to catch all of them - except I don't think I'll have enough Pokeballs - I have about ten. I want to see what we can get for filling out our Pokedex - how about you, May?"

"I have ten Pokeballs too - I think the only Pokemon I really want to have in this area is Bidoof - shall we split up and start catching or tell the boys first then start catching?" May said.

"We'll tell the guys - maybe it'll interest them in catching more Pokemon. We need to get stronger" Dawn said - meaning to defeat Team Shadow and get their Pokemon back. The two girls packed up all the items they used to make the Pokeblocks and Puffins then made their way back to Ash, Brock, Max and Kenny.

"Hi girls - we've just finished battling and I'm going to head out to Jubilife City - I think it's best if I travel on my own a bit so that way I can focus on my dreams" Kenny announced which caught Ash, Brock and Max by surprise. One moment he said he'd stay and now he wants to go on his own.

"Are you sure?" Dawn asked sounding somewhat disappointed.

"Positive - if I see Paul on the way - I want to make sure I can defeat him in a battle!" Kenny said with a grin - which made Dawn look worried.

"Don't do anything stupid then, Kenny. Sorry you don't want to stay with us though" Dawn said.

"I won't - Dawn. Oh, that reminds me - sometimes there will be Double Contests battles where the trainer teams up with a partner - would you join me with that, Dawn?" Kenny asked sounding hopeful.

"I can't make promises, Kenny but I'll see what happens. It depends if we meet up again at the same time or not. Good luck on your journey" Dawn told him.

"Thank you, Dawn. I'll see you guys later and when I next see you, Dawn - I'd love to battle you!" Kenny said.

"Right - it's a deal" Dawn smiled to him. Ash, Max, Brock, May and Dawn watched Kenny leave.

"What are we waiting for? Let's start catching Pokemon! I want to fill up my dex" Max exclaimed.

"Should we split up and catch Pokemon or go together?" Ash asked.

"I'd say split up - then we can meet back here - I'll put a marker on the tree, so we know where to meet" Brock answered as he took his bag off. He unzipped his bag and got out a white chalk and drew on the tree. "We'll meet back here in a few hours so we can get ready to cook dinner tonight and set up the tents."

"Right - we'll see you soon!" Ash said then parted ways with his friends. Ash, Dawn, Max, Brock and May went their own directions to catch their desired Pokemon.

Dawn smiled as she let Starly out of her Pokeball - the bird type Pokemon at once flew to her shoulder. "Starly - we'll be looking for some new Pokemon to add to our team" she told her flying type Pokemon.

"Starly - Star? (What type?)" Starly asked.

"Any type, Starly. I want to fill in my Pokedex as much as I can then we can get an award from Professor Rowan" Dawn said smiling to her bird Pokemon. "I'd have to choose six Pokemon to stay with me - I hope Professor Rowan has plenty of space at his lab. He'd need it" she commented.

"Starly, Star, Star! (There's one there)" Starly pointed to a Cubone who was munching on a Pecha Berry.

"That's great - Thank you, Starly. Hmm... Cubone's a ground type - let's see what Dexter says: A Ground-type Pokémon, Cubone. Cubone has earned its classification as the Lonely Pokémon from its usual attitude of caring only for itself. I wonder what moves it knows. Starly - use Tackle and be on alert - Cubone might know some powerful moves" Dawn commented. "Aww - poor Cubone" Dawn said - more determined to catch it. "Cubone would do great in contests"

Starly used Tackle on Cubone who dodged and used Mud Slap - however, Starly quickly dodged on Dawn's command.

Dawn repeated the moves a few times - however, it appeared that Cubone only knew of Mud Slap and Growl and was beginning to get worn out. Dawn smiled and took out a Pokeball and pressed the button to enlarge it - she waited for Starly to use one more Tackle - which knocked Cubone out and threw the Pokeball over to the wild Pokemon - the Pokeball sucked Cubone inside with a red beam and dropped onto the ground. The Pokeball wobbled a few times then a few stars appeared - indicating it was caught.

"Alright - we caught a Cubone, Starly" Dawn exclaimed as she ran over to her newly caught Pokemon. "Cubone, come on out!" She released Cubone out of it's Pokeball and used Revive and Full Restore and gave it two Leppa Berries. "Let's see - what gender are you according to Pokedex... You're a boy. It's lovely to meet you, Cubone - I'm Dawn and you're such a cutie" Dawn gushed as she gave her new Cubone a hug. Cubone blinked and was surprised by the gesture - in return, the Pokemon hugged her back.

Max was having a great time looking for several Pokemon. "This is going to be so great having all my Pokedex filled up - right Treecko? Though some of my Pokemon may not want to evolve. I had a great idea, Treecko" Max said as he looked at his starter Pokemon who was helping him search for other Pokemon.

"Treecko Tree, Treecko? (What is your idea, Max?)" Treecko asked.

"I think when I catch a Starly - I'll get them to help look for the missing Pokemon and I'll also get Abra to do that too when I catch one - not to mention I'll have to rotate Pokemon if I want to fill up my Pokedex" Max told his starter Pokemon.

"Treecko, Tree, Treecko, Tree? (What do you mean by rotating Pokemon, Max?)" Treecko asked.

"I'll keep you and Starly on me of course and the other Pokemon I catch I'll raise and ask Professor Birch to hold others for me. Now and then I'd ask him to send the Pokemon back to me so I can spend time with them - wish we can keep more than six Pokemon on us" Max said then spotted an Abra who appeared to be meditating on a rock. "Here's our first Pokemon, Treecko - first of all - you need to be careful since Abra can use Teleport - we need to think of an approach to catch Abra" Max said.

"Treecko, Tree? (Why not food?)" Treecko suggested. Max smiled at Treecko's idea.

"I agree, Treecko and I think that'll work. Let's see what I have in my bag" Max took his bag off and unzipped it - he kept his eye on the Abra and found some Pokemon food and took it out as he was certain that the Psychic type would enjoy. He zipped his bag up and put it back on his back. "Now we need to quietly approach Abra" he said. He and Treecko silently made their way to the Psychic type - who must've sensed them as it used Teleport to vanish just as Max got close to it.

"What?! I knew that would happen - we'll just have to keep trying - shame I didn't have a Pokemon that knew Mean Look" Max said in annoyance that Abra slipped out of his way.

"Treecko, Tree, Treecko? (What does Mean Look do?)" Treecko asked.

"It prevents a Pokemon from escaping a battle which gives me more of a chance to catch it. We'll have to keep trying, Treecko" Max said - determined not to give up. He wondered how his sister was going. Treecko nodded in agreement with Max.

Brock wasn't having much luck either looking for the Pokemon he had wanted to catch at least for a while until he ran into a few of the Pokemon he wanted to get which he used Geodude to help catch them.

Ash had luck catching a Starly however, he decided against the other Pokemon - as he mainly wanted to focus on the ones, he had now which are a Starly, Swellow, Pikachu and Sceptile.

May caught her ideal Bidoof rather easily and soon the group had to meet up at the mentioned spot to set up camp and make dinner, each trainer and coordinator introduced their new Pokemon to the groups.

While Max didn't have luck catching his ideal Abra - he managed to catch a few other Pokemon to help fill up his Pokedex and caught a Magikarp much to his delight - he planned to train it to hopefully evolve into a Gyarados. Nighttime soon fell and Dawn released Aerodactyl out of her Pokeball when it got dark to introduce the Pokemon to her team and her friends too. Dawn groomed her Aerdoactyl and gently hugged them then returned them to their Pokeball. She wished she could keep them out longer but felt it was too risky.

The next day the group spent more time catching Pokemon and battling other trainers that were in Route 203. Max and Dawn managed to catch some of the Pokemon they wanted in Route 203. It took them at least a few more days to get to the end of Route 203 and when they did, they were relieved, though Dawn noticed one thing: They hadn't seen Paul for a while which made her wonder where he was. They met up with Kenny at the entrance who greeted Dawn with a big smile and a bouquet of flowers that he had randomly picked in Route 203 - Ash looked at Kenny in surprise and confusion as did May, Dawn, Max and Brock.

Note: Are you excited for the new Pokemon games? For those wondering if I have plans to link this story to other regions - yes, I do, however: Ash, Max, May, Dawn and Brock need to focus on their current goals at the moment before more details are released of the next story. As for pairings - I'm still deciding who to put Brock with whether it's Cynthia, Holly or someone different in Sinnoh. I decided with Dawn, but I won't reveal until a bit later though will leave hints now and then. As for Max - he's more interested in filling up his Pokedex. Who do you think will fill up the Pokedex first? What do you think Kenny will say when he speaks? What do you hope happens in Jubilife City? Will Team Shadow be found and will Butch and Cassidy catch up to Ash and the others?

Badges:

Dawn: 1
Ash: 1
Max: 1
-

Ribbons:
May: 0
Max: 0
Ash: 0
Dawn:0

Pokémon:

Ash: Pikachu, Sceptile and Swellow (Stolen: Noctowl, Turtwig and Charizard)
May: Current: Skitty and Munchlax (Stolen: Blaziken, Shinx, Beautifly and Glaceon)
Dawn: Current: Aeordactyl, Starly and Shinx (Stolen: Piplup)
Max: Current: Azumarill, Treecko and Ralts (Stolen: Azumarill and Ralts!)
Brock: Current: Geodude and Onyx (Stolen: Bonsly)

To be continued...