A/N: Ah, so that's what you meant. Yeah I can understand that. I know what I'm planning in the long run but I can explain why it went like this so far. I mean, even after reading dozens of shipping stories of Ash and every female companion he had up to and including Serena, I just don't see Ash as a 'sexy' person in nature or appearance, even if he weren't an idiot about romance. Dawn can put the hots on him no trouble, but not only is Ash not particularly handsome, only in specific circumstances, the fact Twinleaf Town had no girls his age to hit on meant he had no one to either practice being sexy, or had anybody sexy to look at. I'd imagine the adults wouldn't buy any grown up material. Essentially, Ash is not a sexy person. He will eventually, he's just got to work on it is all.

His eyes opened, nearly blinded by the lights above him. What happened last night? He didn't drink anything. He could hear a heart monitor to his left. Ash looked over to his right side when he heard a groan. It was Dawn waking up.

"Dawn?" He asked in a small bit of fright. He tried getting up but he was pulled back before he could get too far.

"So you're both awake now." A woman's voice alerted them, trying to be soft but had hints of cold steel under the voice. The two teens looked to see Elenny keeping a watch on them. Her face looked frustrated but some concern was showing through. "I'll give you a few minutes to get your heads on straight before I ask you some questions."

"Dawn, what happened last night?" Ash asked wearily.

"Ugh, my head. What a bothersome headache. We were heading to the Old-" The teenage girl didn't respond as she and her companion had a flashback to what happened at that nightmare of a manor. They scurried back, hugged their legs to themselves and whimpered, the heart monitors skyrocketing in beats per minute. The officer was then concerned as she tried to calm them down.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. You're safe now. There's nothing to hurt you now. You're in the Eterna General Hospital." While it took a small while, they all eventually did calm down enough in which it satisfied the officer. "Good. Now that we're all calm, I need you two to answer a few questions for me. What were you two doing at the Old Chateau?

"We were just looking for new Pokemon to catch. I'm the research-"

"-assistant of Prof. Rowan. I know." Elenny cut off. "So you were trying to find Pokemon. Catch a ghost or two. So why did the sky light up like America's 4th of July, and there's now a hole deeper than the eye can see where the mansion was?"

"We didn't find any ghost Pokemon." Ash said, lying about Rotom, not wanting any blame to fall on it. "We found actual ghosts. A little girl."

"And a butler." Dawn finished. "They weren't normal ghosts. The butler looked he was shot through they eye, and he soon devolved into a flaming green and purple skeleton.

"And the girl... oh jeez she was disturbing. Her head ripped off the neck on its own, her skin and hair were white, and her eyes were black. None of my Pokemon were able to do more than slow her down. She almost killed me."

"How do I know you're knowing the truth? All previous reports say it was just ghastly." Elenny countered.

"They must've been damn good liars then. Trying to make it uninteresting so that most people wouldn't go haunted house hunting. What the hell happened to make it abandoned and haunted as all hell there?" Ash shook his head.

"The Woodward case. Back in 1961, the parents went into this town for groceries. Left their 9 year old daughter, Brooke Woodward with their family butler, John Sheppard. On that night, someone broke into the manor. They tried to escape from the looks of their corpses, but was not successful. Not only did he shoot Shappard through the head, he cut Brooke's head off and..." She didn't say anymore, not wanting to say the most gruesome part.

"Oh god." Dawn gasped in frightened disgust. Ash turned away feeling that hurling sensation come back.

"The police caught that sick criminal and brought him in. Sentenced to life with no parole, but he was able to kill himself the day after in his cell. Snapping his neck by falling onto the wall in a way only his head hit it. Demolition tried destroying the mansion, but no attempts were successful. So it was abandoned with the civilians warned not to go near it. That doesn't prevent some people going there, but those that came back were never the same the records say."

"You need to talk to that bicycle guy at Mike's Bike's. He directed us there thinking it was harmless." Ash told the officer.

"Noted. So, what happened next?"

"We had help by an actual ghost type Pokemon. We destroyed the anchors that kept the ghosts tethered to the living plane. And after that, the whole place started getting sucked in into the ground with green light coming out. Ash and I got away riding on my onix. The end is a bit blurry from how terrifying it was but that's all that I remember.

"Me too. I think that's all we know."

"I see. Well, if that's all, my work here is done." Elenny concluded as she shut her notebook closed.

"What does that mean exactly?" The young trainer asked the officer.

"In normal circumstances, you would've been charged with invasion of private property and massive property damage with over a year and a half of juvie time and fines. But considering that the place is gone now and you two were scared beyond all belief, anymore punishment from me would've been redundant. However, I know two people who will be speaking to you."

"Oh no." They both groaned.

"What on Earth were you thinking Ashton Taylor Ketchum?!" His mother scolded the poor trainer, whom was sweating in his chair from the lecture. She was escorted all the way from Twinleaf all the way to Eterna City in record time of 16+ hours. "I knew there was danger on the road of a Pokemon trainer. I know that you have trained for 10 years so you could handle yourself in the wild. But going into a haunted house? What could you possibly gain from that?!"

"We weren't told it was that haunted. Thought we could handle it. Gastly and other small stuff." Ash defended.

"Just because something is a little dangerous doesn't mean you just go into it with what you're carrying at the moment.

"Well I've certainly learned my lesson. That's why Dawn and I aren't going for Juvie in fact."

"I would've pleaded house arrest for you. I would've paid the fines but how long you would be in Juvie is how long you'd be grounded doing all the chores."

"I'm sorry, okay?!" Ash blurted out, startling his mother. His burst of irritation quickly subsided as he drew his legs close and shuddered. "Give me a break. I'm alive, I'm physically okay, I might have nightmares but they'll go away. And I've very much learned my lesson. I'm sorry. I just..." He started tearing up as he tried to hold his tears in. "I just need some support is all." Seeing how her only son deflated that fast and looked so distraught that was unlike his normal self, her anger and worry sizzled down to motherly concern.

"I'm sorry too honey." She apologized as she sat down next to him and hugged. "I was just so worried. When we lost your dad... gosh. How long has it been since we've talked like this?"

"Around four years ago. When you told me about puberty." Ash answered, giving a single, empty chuckle. They stayed still like that thinking back then when his mom spoke again.

"I wasn't there for you... was I?"

"I've hung with Barry more than anybody else."

"I'm so sorry Sweetie. I have missed so much of your childhood... and teenage years... it seemed like every time I look at you you're always taller. I've been a horrible mother haven't I?" Ash's head snapped up to that.

"No mom, no. You were a good mother. Sure, I've felt lonely, always outside unless it's eating or sleeping time. But you kept me clothed, kept me fed, taught me what's right and wrong, supported my dream... you may not be the best mother ever, but you're not horrible. I love you mom." Hearing all that, Delia broke down and clung onto Ash in a full on sob. Ash, whom is very familiar with the situation, just hugged her back and moved his hand across her back, waiting for her to ride it out.

Ash and Dawn later met each other again after talking with their respective families. "Hey Dawn. How did your lecture go?" Dawn groaned.

"Well, my mother read me the riot act. My dad, while still concerned about my well-being, made sure she didn't go overboard. My sister was also worried but was just relieved that I was okay. Prof. Rowan was also relieved. He wasn't sure whether to punish me or not since our... experience was for scientific purposes even though we were ill prepared. Eventually he just decided on temporary reduced pay. We got our $1150 dollars for the week, but we'll only be getting $300 dollars until we reach below $500 dollars personally."

"How much do we have?" Ash asked worriedly.

"About $3100. Although we should be fine for a little while. If we stick to our $460 budget, we should be able to last for almost 7 weeks at bare minimum." Dawn spoke in a reassured manner.

"It may be a bit sooner than that. As we travel from city to city and earn more badges, the more expensive stuff will be available, and simple potions and single status heal items will not be viable at some point." The trainer countered.

"Oh yeah, you're right." Dawn bemoaned even more. "Well, let's get going then." When the teenagers exited the building, Ash's mom staying behind to catch up on sleep, they were taken by sheer surprise by the mob of people, whom upon noticing them, roared in joyous and grateful cheer surrounding the Pokemon Center.

"Thank you both so much!"

"We are eternally grateful to you!"

"Whoa, whoa! What is this about?!" Dawn cried out.

"You two are heroes to this city." A woman's voice answered them. They turned behind them to see Officer Elenny come up behind them, rolling their bike in tow as it was confiscated for the time. "For almost 50 years the Old Chateau has indirectly haunted our beloved city, taking away people that were cared about. But now it no longer exists, and these people claim that they sensed their deceased ones are now free. When they learned it was because of you two, they camped here waiting for you." From the crowd, the gym leader Gardenia made her way through the crowd, holding a large gift basket.

"Ash Ketchum. Dawn Berlitz. You have freed our city of that cursed mansion. We owe you thanks. Here is a gift basket filled with whatever you need." Dawn took the basket and looked in and gasped. There was multiple sets of Pokeballs up to six each. Pokeballs, heal balls, net balls, along with 12 super potions, 30 different status healing bottles, 2 escape ropes and a check from the city of $115. "Sure, the check be small, but Eterna City isn't all that rich. The store was able to give you all this though."

"Oh my god. Thank you so much we'll use these responsibly." Dawn bowed in appreciation. Ash nodded in agreement.

"I know you will. Go on ahead if you wish." Gardenia responded. Ash and Dawn got onto the bike, Dawn holding both her bag and the basket and both rode off to the South, out of Eterna City. Once they have left the city limits however, a familiar Pokémon cry attracted their attention.

"You hear that?" Dawn questioned.

"Yeah. It sounded like..." Ash was about to finish when they stopped and were approached by Rotom.

"It's you! The ghost that helped us!" The young researcher exclaimed. It said it's name once before zapping itself into her jacket pocket.

"Hey! What the?!" She cried out as she took out the Pokedex, and the screen had its face on the machine's screen, speaking in the Pokedex's female programmed voice.

Wow. So much information. This is quite a piece of tech here.

"What are you doing?"

Well I wanted to join you of course. I can sense you already have six active Pokeballs, so I wouldn't fit in as of now. So I've taken residence in your Pokedex to act as a companion. I can also help improve on it. For example: Rotom: the Plasma Pokemon. It body is made of plasma and its electric like body can enter all machines and take control in order to make mischief. But it can also be the power source of a unique engine.

"Wow. Hey, I just realized; Rotom is motor backwards." Ash pointed out.

I was named such after coming out of a lawnmower motor.

"Interesting. So, you'll be staying in here? I don't mind. Welcome aboard." Dawn welcomed.

Thank you. And thank you so much for helping me at the mansion.

"No problem. Let's get going." Ash acknowledged as Dawn put the Pokedex away and they rode off again. Soon, they found Route 206, which from their perspective was a slight downward hill, littered with lights and a glass half circle ceiling above the road. "Oh, It's Cycling Road. 120 miles of road. Going at our fastest, we can reach the end of this thing in 2.5 hours at least."

"Won't you tire out long before then?" Dawn asked out of concern.

"There's no need to worry about that." Ash brushed off. "If my legs need rest the wheels will carry us."

"But what about-AUGH!" The young researcher yelled as Ash simply pedaled down the road and went as fast as he could. The cold wind roared against their ears and flapping their scarves as Dawn hugged against Ash as tight as she could, screaming the whole while as they zoomed down the road. After about an hour of pushing Ash took a break which gave the bike a chance to slow down somewhat to 40 miles per hour. Within 3 hours time they rushed out of the glass tunnel and Ash eased on the brakes, slowing down until they came to a complete stop. Ash tried getting off but was held in place by the terrified Dawn, only now realizing how tightly his stomach was being squeezed.

"Dawn? Dawn, you can let go now." Ash suggested as he tried prying off her white knuckled hands. She eventually let go, stumbled off the bike, took a few steps before dropping onto her knees and just fell onto her front, practically hugging the Earth. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked worried as he placed a hand on the researcher, feeling her trembling underneath her jacket.

"Why?" She whispered.

"Huh?"

"Why did you do that?" She uttered slightly louder.

"Well, just for fun I guess." Ash answered while scratching his head.

"Fun?" Dawn said dryly as she picked herself up. "You think that was fun?"

"Uhh..." Ash started sweating as she stood up to her full height as stayed silent. With quite a serious frown, she grabbed Ash by his shoulders and shook him back and forth screaming in rage like a banshee. "What part of that was fun you speed demon numbskull?! You didn't take into consideration on how I felt going as fast as a car on a bike! Have you forgotten I'm carrying an egg from the champion herself?! Don't you do anything like that again, you hear me?!" Ash tried talking back while getting whiplash.

"O-kay, Ok-Ay! I'm So-rry! It W-On't Hap-Pen A-Gain!" Hearing that, Dawn stopped her violent shaking of her partner before letting him drop onto the ground.

"Good. Now let's get some firewood to have some dinner before sleep." She ordered as the researcher went off to get some wood while Ash simply got on his knees, rubbing his head.

"Ugh. I need to remember that we have an egg now. Along with not going too fast. I'll need to make this up to her. Maybe when we reach the city." He took a few steps before realizing something. "Wait, what does she even personally like anyway? Uh oh."